DeLauro Reacts to Postal Service Announcement Ending Saturday Delivery

Calls On Congress to Take Action on ComprehensiveLegislation

WASHINGTON, DC—Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) releasedthe following statement today on the Postal Service's announcement they areending Saturday mail delivery starting August 1. She is a longtime supporter ofa comprehensive approach to address the challenges facing the Postal Service.

"Today's announcement is bad news both for the Postal Service'semployees and people across the country. I have deep concerns that cuttingSaturday delivery will lead to layoffs and facility closings at a time when oureconomy can least afford it. The Wallingford processing facility in particularis a real concern and I will work with my colleagues in Connecticut'scongressional delegation to do everything in our power to keep it open.

"But the Postal Service should not be in this situation.Congress has put it in this position by failing to act on comprehensive legislationthat would help alleviate the financial pressures facing them, including theunprecedented requirement to prefund their retiree benefits. The Senate didtheir part last year and passed a bill, but just like so many other issues,Republicans in the House of Representatives were too busy posturing to take itup.

"We must stop lurching from crisis to crisis. It is time forCongress to act and put the Postal Service on the path to financial solvency."