THE 116th CONGRESS

 DEMOCRATS CONTROL THE HOUSE, BUT REPUBLICANS RETAIN THE SENATE

           The 116th Congress has now reorganized, with a Democratic majority (235 to 197, with 3 seats vacant) taking over in the U.S. House of Representatives and a Republican majority (53 to 47) remaining in the U.S. Senate.  Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has been re-elected as Speaker, and all committee chairs and staff in the House have been taken over by the Democrats.

 With everyone focused on the recent shutdown of the Federal Government and the possibility of others to come, it has been extremely difficult for the new Members of Congress to focus on all of the pending issues.  Even then, the House majority will no doubt be expending much of its time on providing oversight, and when necessary, investigating President Trump and his Administration which remains in control of the Executive Branch.  Meanwhile, the issues of key concern to mail handlers will also remain on the agenda during the next two years.  Of most importance, expected to be on the front burner will be (1) the continuing debate over postal reform legislation and (2) continuing attempts by the Trump Administration and certain Republicans to reduce the costs associated with various benefit programs applicable to federal and postal employees.

           Most notably, the new Democratic majority in the House has taken over the Committee on Oversight and Reform.  Elijah Cummings (D-MD) is the new chairman, and Jim Jordan (R-OH) is the new Ranking Member.  The overall division is 24 Democrats and 18 Republicans.

The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs has experienced less turnover in the 116thCongress, and thus will present larger obstacles for legislation favorable to mail handlers and other postal employees.  Republican Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin remains as chair, and Democrat Gary Peters of Michigan is the Ranking Member.  Here is a list of the other committee members:

Republicans                                       Democrats

Rob Portman (OH)                              Tom Carper (DE)

Rand Paul (KY)                                   Maggie Hassan (NH)

James Lankford (OK)                          Kamala Harris (CA)

Mike Enzi (WY)                                   Kyrsten Sinema (AZ)

                Mitt Romney (UT)                               Jacky Rosen (NV)

                Rick Scott (FL)

                Josh Hawley (MO)                                                             

         With the partisan split on Capitol Hill, the NPMHU will have to redouble its legislative efforts to protect the future of the Postal Service and the various federal benefit programs that are applicable to mail handlers.  Another Legislative Conference already has been scheduled for June 2019, and the National Office is hopeful that many mail handlers will be able to travel to Washington, DC and participate in lobbying their elected representatives.

          If you have not done so already, please sign up as a legislative activist on the NPMHU website, and please watch your NPMHU publications and alerts for the latest information.

          Listed below are four resolutions already introduced in the House of Representatives that are supported by both bi-partisan coalitions that will be used to start the process of passing legislation that will put the U.S. Postal Service in a position to succeed for years to come.  Resolutions are often used as a vehicle to start the legislative process, as a stepping stone to more comprehensive and much-needed legislation.

H. Res. 33 — Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should take all appropriate measures to ensure that the United States Postal Service remains an independent establishment of the Federal Government and is not subject to privatization.

Sponsor:  Rep. Stephen Lynch (introduced 01/09/2019).  Cosponsors:  51  Latest Action:  Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform

H. Res. 23 — Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States Postal Service should take all appropriate measures to ensure the continuation of door delivery for all business and residential customers.

Sponsor:  Rep. Susan Davis (introduced 01/04/2019).  Cosponsors:  3

Latest Action:  Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform

H. Res. 54 — Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States Postal Service should take all appropriate measures to ensure the continuation of its 6-day mail delivery service.

Sponsor:  Rep. Gerald Connolly (introduced 01/16/2019).  Cosponsors:  1 Latest Action:  Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform

H. Res. 60 — Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States Postal Service should take all appropriate measures to restore service standards in effect as of July 1, 2012.

Sponsor: Rep. David McKinley (introduced 01/17/2019). Cosponsors:  5
Latest Action:  Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform