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Congress·In Committee·about 2 months ago

Congress moves to slow USPS post office closures and limit mail processing changes to protect delivery times

Also known as: Protect Postal Performance Act

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
Senate
House
President

Impacts

Mixed Impacts(3)
Small Business Owner
Neutral
Gig Worker
Neutral
Union Member
Neutral
Positive Impacts(3)
Physical Disability
Helps
Sensory Disability
Helps
Cognitive Developmental
Helps

Key Points

  • USPS would have to hold a public hearing before closing or merging a post office, and then wait longer before acting.
  • After the hearing, USPS would have to post an online summary within 7 days, including how many comments were for or against the closure.
  • A post office could not be closed if it is more than 15 miles from another post office, or if it is the closest one for 15,000+ people.
  • USPS could not shut down or heavily cut back mail processing centers in ways that leave some separated regions of a state with no center serving 100,000+ residents.
  • USPS would face new limits on changing mail processing sites and mail pickup/drop-off schedules, including required review and waiting periods if delivery would get slower.
InfrastructureConsumer ProtectionTransportation

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Jan 15, 2026Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Jan 15, 2026

Introduced in Senate

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Whenever USPS proposes a post office closure or consolidation after the bill takes effect

USPS must hold a public hearing during the 60-day review period before closing or consolidating a post office

People in the affected area would get a formal chance to speak up in-person or online, instead of learning about a closure after decisions are mostly final

Within 1 week after each required public hearing

USPS must publish a hearing summary within 7 days, including the share of comments for/against the closure

Communities would be able to see what was said and whether most commenters supported or opposed the change, which can help local leaders push back or plan

Begins when USPS posts the hearing summary; lasts 180 days

A 180-day waiting period starts after the hearing summary is posted before a post office can close or consolidate

Even if USPS still wants to close a post office, residents would have about 6 more months to prepare, organize, or propose alternatives

Before USPS implements proposed processing facility operational changes after the bill takes effect

USPS must seek a Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) opinion before changing mail-processing facility operations

Large facility changes (like consolidations) would generally slow down and face outside review before they can happen

Up to about 6 months (120 business days) after each USPS submission

PRC issues an advisory opinion within 120 business days after USPS submits a proposed facility change

Communities and businesses would have a clearer window for when a decision might land, rather than open-ended uncertainty

Triggers after a PRC opinion finding slower delivery; then a report is posted and a 180-day pause applies

If PRC finds a proposed change would slow on-time delivery, USPS must publish a plan to keep delivery on time and then wait 180 more days

Areas at risk of slower mail would get extra delay protection and see USPS’s promised fixes before the change can move forward

Immediately after the bill takes effect (as applied to that program)

USPS is blocked from carrying out the Mail Processing Facility Review (or a replacement program) using federal funds

A specific USPS review program that could lead to consolidations would be paused or stopped, which may keep current facility networks more stable

Applies to LTO/RTO transportation changes after the bill takes effect

USPS cannot reduce how often mail is picked up or dropped off at post offices through transportation ‘optimization’ plans

People and businesses may keep more frequent pickups/drop-offs, which can matter for same-day shipping cutoffs and outgoing mail speed

Related News

2 articles
KOLO-TV (Reno, NV)·about 1 month ago

Cortez Masto helps introduce bill to keep mail processing local

Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto and Sen. Marsha Blackburn introduce the Protect Postal Performance Act, aiming to block USPS from moving mail operations (e.g., Reno to Sacramento) without public oversight and PRC review.

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KOLO-TV (Reno, NV)·about 1 month ago

Cortez Masto introduces Protect Postal Performance Act

Video segment: The Protect Postal Performance Act would add safeguards to prevent USPS from moving mail processing operations without public oversight.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Protect Postal Performance Act

Bill NumberS 3657
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionRead twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(1)
R: 1

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.