Postal Service Transparency and Review Act

This proposal would slow down and shine a light on big changes to mail service. If the Postal Service wants to make a major change that affects the whole country or a single postal district, it must file its plan at least 180 days in advance and ask the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) for an advisory opinion (a public review and recommendation). The PRC then has 180 days to respond. The Postal Service cannot take steps or spend money to carry out the change until the PRC issues its opinion. If the Postal Service skips this step, the PRC can suspend the change and require service to go back to the previous level until the review happens. After the PRC issues its opinion, Congress would have 60 legislative days to pass a resolution to block the change so it has no effect.

Key points

• Who is affected: People and businesses who rely on mail service, local communities, and the Postal Service.
• What changes: 180-day advance notice and PRC review; no spending or action on changes until the review is done; PRC can suspend unreviewed changes and restore prior service; Congress can block a proposed change within 60 legislative days after the PRC opinion .
• When: The 180-day notice comes before a change; the PRC has 180 days to issue its opinion; the 60-day congressional review window starts after the PRC issues its opinion .