Today S. 1789, the postal legislation authored by Senators Lieberman (I-CT), Carper (D-DE), Collins (R-ME) and Brown (R-MA) failed to get the 60 votes needed to invoke “cloture.” Without 60 votes, the bill would be subject to possible endless filibusters. Cloture would have prevented that by limiting debate. The vote was 51 “aye” and 46 “nay”. Four Senators did not vote.

As the Senate is on the verge of a two-week recess for Easter-Passover, it is not likely that there will be any further Senate votes on S 1789 until mid-April at the earliest. In the meantime, the four managers of the bill will try to alter it in order to gather the 60 votes needed to proceed. It is certain that, if the Senate votes to proceed, it will be on a bill that will have multiple changes to S 1789. The bill covers changes to delivery and service standards, closing and consolidation procedures, FECA many other items that affect mail handlers’ lives.  

The NPMHU will remain actively engaged in discussions on Capitol Hill to help shape final legislation which will protect both the short and long term interests of all Mail Handlers.  For information on this Senate bill, please continue to monitor the NPMHU website at npmhu.org. In order to remain up-to-date, and to receive updates on how you can assist in this very important legislation, please sign up to become an NPMHU e-activist at that same website.