Press Releases

Rep. Rodney Davis Votes in Support of the Delivering for America Act

H.R. 8015 authorizes $25 billion of emergency funding for the USPS and prohibits operational changes during the pandemic

f t # e
Washington, D.C., August 22, 2020 | comments

Today, U.S. Representative Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) voted in support of the Delivering for America Act, which provides emergency funding for the United States Postal Service (USPS) and prohibits operational changes at USPS during the pandemic.

 

“The Postal Service is a lifeline to the communities I represent,” said Rep. Davis. “The men and women of the Postal Service are working tirelessly during this pandemic, and we need to do everything we can to support them, which is why I support the Delivering for America Act. Since coming to Congress, I’ve worked across the aisle to support the Postal Service, which is why I was so disappointed when somehow the Postal Service became a political weapon. We should not be politicizing the Postal Service and in turn, the thousands of hard-working employees that serve each of our districts. I do not believe the post office is trying to sabotage our elections, as some Democrats have claimed. I’m voting for this bill because we’re in the pandemic, the Postal Service is vital to our society, and they need our help.”

 

"The hardworking men and women of the U.S. Postal Service have shown up to work every single day throughout this pandemic," said National Association of Letter Carriers President Fredric Rolando. "Their jobs are vital to keeping our country moving forward, and we need to make sure they receive the resources and support to do their jobs safely and effectively. The Delivering for America Act will ensure that the Postal Service and its universal delivery network remain fully operational and financially healthy through the pandemic. We'd like to thank Congressman Rodney Davis for his support of this legislation and for his continued support of letter carriers and Postal Service employees in Illinois and across the country."

 

The Delivering for America Act, H.R. 8015, appropriates $25 billion in emergency funding for the USPS and prohibits them from making changes to operations or levels of service from those that were in effect on January 1, 2020. The private right of action provisions of the legislation were removed from this bill prior to the vote. The legislation was introduced by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY).

 

Rep. Davis submitted a statement for the Congressional Record that further explains his vote. Davis notes that while he supports additional support for the Postal Service, he is disappointed that the USPS has become a political weapon and that the legislation will not solve our country’s election administration problems. You can find a copy of that statement here.

 

You can find a letter of support from the National Association of Letter Carriers for the legislation here.

 

Davis has long been a supporter of the men and women of the USPS. Back in early May, Rodney co-signed a letter sent to Republican leaders urging them to support the USPS in negotiations over COVID-19 relief legislation. The letter requested:

 

  • A “public service” appropriation of at least $25 billion to the Postal Service to alleviate some of the strain caused by the pandemic. 
  • An authorization for a continued “public service” appropriation for the difference between USPS revenue and expenses for the duration of this public health crisis. 
  • A mechanism to reimburse the Postal Service for any COVID-19 related leave pay provided by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (P.L. 116-127). 
  • Ensure equal treatment for postal employees in any legislation that authorizes, and funds hazard pay for other front-line workers exposed to health risks related to the COVID-19 virus. Such legislation should cover postal workers, who face heightened exposure risks to the virus on a daily basis.

 

Additionally, Davis has co-sponsored legislation to provide additional support to the USPS:

 

Co-lead:

H. Res. 33 – expresses a sense of congress that the USPS should remain an independent entity of the US government and NOT be subject to privatization

                

Co-sponsor:

H.R. 2382, the USPS Fairness Act – repeals the mandate that USPS has to pre-fund future retirement health benefits. Passed House in February

 

H. Res. 23 – door delivery for residential and businesses

 

H. Res. 54 – USPS should maintain their 6-day delivery schedule 

 

H. Res. 60 – Service Standards – USPS should maintain the service standards set in 2012  

###

f t # e