Kelly votes to save U.S. Postal Service retiree health benefits

Today, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) voted for the bipartisan Postal Service Reform Act of 2021 to protect U.S. Postal Service retiree health benefits and save the U.S.P.S. about $50 billion over the next decade. The bill passed by a vote of 342-92.

"The U.S. Postal Service is an important service in my district, especially for our seniors who receive their prescriptions through the mail," Kelly said. "By supporting this bill, we're putting the Postal Service on better financial footing and ensuring our hardworking Postal Service employees can receive their health benefits as scheduled."

BACKGROUND

On Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the bipartisan Postal Service Reform Act of 2021 saving the U.S.P.S. about $50 billion over the next decade. The bill requires future retirees to enroll in Medicare or another government health insurance plan. The bill comes after the U.S.P.S. reported more than $90 billion in losses since 2007.

Further, the bill eliminates controversial 75-year pre-funding requirement for U.S.P.S. health benefits, a requirement no other federal entity faces. U.S.P.S. projects this move alone will save $27 billion over the next decade.

The bill also ensures six-day mail delivery. Rep. Kelly has previously co-sponsored legislation supporting U.S.P.S. continuing six-day mail delivery, which has proven to be a vital lifeline for rural Pennsylvanians.