Tester introduces bill to halt Postal Service consolidation

The U.S. Postal Service’s decision this week to relocate outgoing mail processing operations from Missoula to Spokane prompted U.S. Sen. Jon Tester to introduce legislation that would “prohibit unnecessary and harmful consolidation of mail processing operations nationwide.”

The PARCEL Act, short for “Protecting Access to Rural Carriers for Every Location,” would ban the consolidation of mail processing operations unless it meets three criteria written by Tester and his staff:

Does not result in processing operations being relocated outside of state boundaries or harming local mail delivery.A geographical review is completed, particularly examining mountain passes and the implications of moving operations.Public input reflects favorably on the decision to move operations. People are also reading…

“The Postal Service is critical to Montana’s small businesses, seniors and veterans, and shortsighted decisions like relocating Missoula’s outgoing mail processing operations out-of-state won’t work for folks in rural America,” Tester said in a statement. “USPS leadership has failed to listen to the people of Montana time and time again, and it’s time to put a stop to their attack on service in rural America. Our bipartisan legislation will bring full operations back to Missoula and ensure that Postmaster (Louis)

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