House Committee Adopts Postal Bill

The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on May 21 adopted a bill to direct the US Postal Service to convert 1.5 million addresses annually – 15 million over the next decade – from “to the door” delivery to more cost-effective modes of delivery. H.R. 4670, Secure Delivery for America Act of 2014, passed the committee on a party-line vote of 18-13.

A comprehensive overhaul of the postal service has been sought in both the Senate and House, and most officials agree it is needed to solve the postal service’s financial problems. Committee chairman Rep. Darrell Issa, R-CA, acknowledged this measure falls short of that goal, but said it “provides an interim opportunity to achieve some significant cost savings.”

USPS estimates that converting 15 million addresses to secure centralized delivery or curbside delivery will save more than $2 billion a year. It reported a $1.9 billion loss for the first three months this year with other estimates projecting $238 billion shortfall during the next decade.

For more information, visit www.nbcnews.com.