Rep. Cisneros Votes for Bipartisan Bill to Save USPS and Help Veterans, Seniors, and Small Businesses

August 22, 2020
Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Representative Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr. (CA-39) voted to pass the bipartisan H.R. 8015, the Delivering for America Act, and save the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). The bill provides the USPS with $25 billion to cover revenue losses, reverse service and operational changes implemented earlier this year, and require that all election-related mail, including ballots, be treated as first class to ensure swift delivery. The bill passed the House with a 257-150 vote.

“The Trump Administration’s efforts to undermine the USPS undermines our democracy, veterans, seniors, and small businesses. Veterans and seniors are waiting for their mail-ordered prescription drugs, small businesses are leaning on e-commerce to stay afloat during this pandemic, and families are ordering cleaning supplies and PPE online to keep themselves safe from COVID-19. The mail delays are unacceptable,” said Rep. Cisneros. “Congress cannot sit idly by and watch the sabotage of the USPS in plain sight. Today, the House is standing up for the USPS and getting service standards back to where they need to be. The USPS is essential, and I strongly urge the Senate to pass this bill immediately.”

Yesterday, Rep. Cisneros launched a CA-39 survey on USPS delays.

On Tuesday, Rep. Cisneros joined his Southern California House colleagues in hosting a press conference about protecting the USPS.

The bill includes the following key provisions:  

  • Prohibiting the Postal Service from implementing or approving any changes to the operations or service levels in effect on January 1, 2020, that would impede prompt, reliable, and efficient service. The prohibition remains in effect during the duration of the coronavirus public health emergency or January 2021, whichever is later.
  • Requiring the Postal Service to treat all election mail as first-class mail.
  • Providing $25 billion in critically-needed emergency appropriations for the Postal Service, the  level of funding recommended by the USPS Board of Governors, which is composed of 100 percent Trump appointees.