NAPO Washington Reports

NAPO & PPOA Meeting with Senator Coburn's Staff

August 14, 2013

Today, NAPO accompanied members of the Postal Police Officers Association (PPOA) to a follow-up meeting with Katie Bailey, the Minority Director of Government Affairs for the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.  Ms. Bailey is responsible for researching U.S. Postal Service issues for Senator Coburn (R-OK), the Ranking Member on the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs.  NAPO and the PPOA took this opportunity to reemphasize the importance of modifying the language of Title 18, United States Code, Section 3061, to ensure Postal Police Officers are utilized to their full capabilities.  We stressed that our proposals will yield cost savings for the financially struggling U.S. Postal Service, as well as increase public safety.

NAPO and the PPOA have re-engaged staffers we briefed this past spring to ensure our proposals remain at the top of their agendas as postal reform measures are considered.  Today’s meeting was especially important, as Senator Coburn and Senator Carper (D-DE) introduced the Senate’s version of postal reform legislation (Postal Reform Act of 2013) on August 1, 2013.  (Senator Carper is the Chairman of the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee).

Ms. Bailey explained that our proposals are being considered, and expressed appreciation for the level of information we have provided thus far.  Ms. Bailey also noted that she expects the Postal Reform Act of 2013 to be marked-up in September or October 2013.  In the coming weeks, Ms. Bailey plans to continue to review our proposals alongside Senator Carper’s staffer, Kata Sybenga.  (NAPO and the PPOA provided Ms. Sybenga with a thorough briefing this past spring, and she was very receptive to our proposals).

When the Postal Reform Act of 2013 (S.1486) was introduced, Senator Carper noted that he and Senator Coburn expect the text of the bill to change based on feedback received from other members of the Senate, stakeholders, postal employees, etc.  NAPO and the PPOA are confident that our language proposals will be considered as the Senate moves forward with legislation to reform the U.S. Postal Service. 

NAPO will continue to provide updates on the progress of this initiative.  If you have any questions about this issue, please contact Melissa Nee at:  mnee@napo.org.