Tuesday, May 12, 2015
[Starts at 37:50]
WASHINGTON – Today, Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), ranking member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, convened a bipartisan briefing that explored the challenges and opportunities facing the Postal Service in the digital age. Members heard from key stakeholders including the U.S. Postal Service Office of the Inspector General, the Government Accountability Office, the National Association of Letter Carriers, and the President and Chief Executive Officer of Hallmark, as well as the U.S. Postal Service, about the hurdles facing the Postal Service in an era dominated by electronic communications and what tools the agency needs to innovate and thrive in the 21st century.
“For years, the Postal Service has worked hard to compete in the digital age – keeping prices as low as possible, generating new revenue where it can, and taking significant steps to reduce its costs. The Postal Service needs to continue to grow through innovation,” said Sen. Carper. “Despite its serious financial challenges, the Postal Service is doing what it can to not just remain relevant, but to thrive. It’s partnering with Amazon.com to delivery groceries in some communities and deliver packages overnight in a growing number of zip codes – including on Sundays. It’s helping UPS, FedEx, and other private shippers to grow their businesses by taking packages the last mile. However, it can only do so much within its legislative and financial restraints. The Postal Service needs freedom and flexibility to grow through innovation and explore additional ways to make money in the digital age by leveraging its unique 200-year-old distribution network. As we learned during today’s discussion, that opportunity can only come through comprehensive reform from Congress. I look forward to continuing this important and constructive conversation on what Congress needs to do to help the Postal Service.”
Senator Carper held a bipartisan briefing on the Postal Service’s financial status last month. A third roundtable, which will focus on rural postal issues, is planned for Tuesday, May 19 at 2:30 PM.