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Ok, all - I meant to do this last night, but fell asleep. (Long week!)
1. Here's the latest on USPS. The Postmaster General warned that because of COVID-19, they'll likely see a $13 billion revenue loss this year. https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/10/politics/postal-service-congress-help/index.html
1. Here's the latest on USPS. The Postmaster General warned that because of COVID-19, they'll likely see a $13 billion revenue loss this year. https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/10/politics/postal-service-congress-help/index.html
2. They are specifically asking Congress for $75 billion to keep USPS afloat. House Democrats have confirmed it would be divided as:
a. $25 billion in direct funding
b. $25 billion in "unrestricted borrowing authority from Treasury
c. $25 billion in grants
a. $25 billion in direct funding
b. $25 billion in "unrestricted borrowing authority from Treasury
c. $25 billion in grants
3. Yes, the stimulus bill did include $10 billion. Important to acknowledge this, since some articles were saying they got no money (and we don't want Republicans to accuse us of fake news - something I admittedly focused too hard on), but it's not enough, and not what's needed.
4. (Link here: https://www.npr.org/2020/04/08/828949609/youve-got-less-mail-the-postal-service-is-suffering-amid-the-coronavirus)
It's not what is needed, because it gives too much control to Treasury, and we all known the Administration wants to privatize USPS.
It's also worth noting the terms of thee CARES bill wasn't what House Dems wanted for USPS.
It's not what is needed, because it gives too much control to Treasury, and we all known the Administration wants to privatize USPS.
It's also worth noting the terms of thee CARES bill wasn't what House Dems wanted for USPS.
5. The House Democrats wanted to cancel the USPS debt to Treasury to pre-fund retirement benefits - the National Association of Letter Carriers (broadly) supported cancellation of the debt in 2018: https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc-updates/its-the-prefunding-stupid
And House Dems also wanted $15 billion in urgent support.
And House Dems also wanted $15 billion in urgent support.
6. But Trump didn't support the terms, so that's why USPS only received $10 billion.
So Senators took a bipartisan action to do what they could in the scope of the CARES Act: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/04/11/post-office-bailout-trump/?utm_campaign=wp_main&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter
So Senators took a bipartisan action to do what they could in the scope of the CARES Act: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/04/11/post-office-bailout-trump/?utm_campaign=wp_main&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter
7. So here's what we can do right now:
a. Congress is getting ready to work out phase 4 of the stimulus package. Pelosi indicated ten days ago, she wants more money for USPS during this new phase. It's our job to support this. https://www.marketwatch.com/story/pelosi-says-us-must-have-more-voting-by-mail-as-coronavirus-upends-elections-2020-03-31
a. Congress is getting ready to work out phase 4 of the stimulus package. Pelosi indicated ten days ago, she wants more money for USPS during this new phase. It's our job to support this. https://www.marketwatch.com/story/pelosi-says-us-must-have-more-voting-by-mail-as-coronavirus-upends-elections-2020-03-31
b. Pelosi indicated a large part of her support is predicated on the need for a vote-by-mail system, particularly in advance of November:
This is *absolutely true*. We need to recognize things will not be back to normal by November. But we also need to be strategic re: wording.
This is *absolutely true*. We need to recognize things will not be back to normal by November. But we also need to be strategic re: wording.
(Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/31/coronavirus-update-pelosi-says-country-must-move-to-vote-by-mail-taking-aim-at-trump.html)
c. Because Trump is so adamantly against vote-by-mail for absurd reasons, GOP members will likely fall in line. So when we call, let's reiterate in terms of priority:
- We need the USPS to deliver critical medical equipment/supplies.
c. Because Trump is so adamantly against vote-by-mail for absurd reasons, GOP members will likely fall in line. So when we call, let's reiterate in terms of priority:
- We need the USPS to deliver critical medical equipment/supplies.
(GOP members shouldn't be able to argue w/ this, and you can raise hell if they do)
- We need USPS to help deliver essentials, so people can stay home. (See point above)
- Once there is a vaccine, USPS will 100% be needed to deliver to regions with accessibility challenges.
- We need USPS to help deliver essentials, so people can stay home. (See point above)
- Once there is a vaccine, USPS will 100% be needed to deliver to regions with accessibility challenges.
And finally:
- We need USPS to help people to vote in safe, efficient manner.
Realistically, I think this stands a better chance of passing at the state level, because our elections system is a state-by-state system. But it's still worth mentioning, but call state reps too.
- We need USPS to help people to vote in safe, efficient manner.
Realistically, I think this stands a better chance of passing at the state level, because our elections system is a state-by-state system. But it's still worth mentioning, but call state reps too.
And SCRIPT on #USPS.
Remember, your members are in their home districts at the moment, so call/email/fax district offices (DOs). Also important to know: staff are working from home, so factor in some potential time delays.
Also, tiny font because LOTS of points to hit.
Remember, your members are in their home districts at the moment, so call/email/fax district offices (DOs). Also important to know: staff are working from home, so factor in some potential time delays.
Also, tiny font because LOTS of points to hit.
d. Finally - just as a few small things we can all do? I want to encourage all of us to:
1. Thank USPS staff today. Make signs, leave out thank-you notes, let them know we're going to be advocating with Congress for them. They're equally risking their lives right now for us.
1. Thank USPS staff today. Make signs, leave out thank-you notes, let them know we're going to be advocating with Congress for them. They're equally risking their lives right now for us.
2. Buy their products. Buy stamps. Buy their booklets. Use them when all of this is over - like how we're approaching gift cards.
(I'm wary of the idea of adding MORE volume via packages into the system during this time, but we can give them $ right now, to be used later).
(I'm wary of the idea of adding MORE volume via packages into the system during this time, but we can give them $ right now, to be used later).
3. And if you're going to buy their stamps/products today? Definitely start here:
https://store.usps.com/store/home
Let's make sure the USPS knows we have their backs. Call/email/fax/write (!) your reps now.
https://store.usps.com/store/home
Let's make sure the USPS knows we have their backs. Call/email/fax/write (!) your reps now.
