Interior Alaska News

U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) have introduced a bipartisan resolution aimed at preserving the independence of the United States Postal Service (USPS). The proposal emphasizes the significant role of the USPS in connecting Americans, particularly in rural areas. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) have joined as co-sponsors of the resolution.

“In a state as vast as ours, with many remote communities only accessible by air or water, the USPS serves as an essential government agency that keeps postal services affordable for Alaskans,” said Senator Sullivan. He highlighted the importance of the Bypass Mail program as a crucial component of maintaining service to remote areas in Alaska. Sullivan has committed to opposing any actions that might threaten this program.

Senator Murkowski stressed the importance of the USPS in Alaska, where many communities lack road access and reliable internet. “Federal statute has long recognized that the Postal Service’s core purpose is ‘to bind the Nation together through the personal, educational, literary, and business correspondence of the people,’” she said.

Senator Peters added, “For more than 250 years, the Postal Service has been a cornerstone of our nation, connecting every household and business across the country.” He cautioned that efforts to privatize or undermine the USPS could threaten affordable, universal mail service and affect millions of Americans.

Chris Crutchfield, Alaska State Chair for the National Association of Letter Carriers, voiced concerns over potential privatization, noting it could increase shipping costs and impact Alaska's economy. “The Postal Service currently serves all Alaskans, regardless of where they live,” he stated.

The bipartisan measure underlines Congress's commitment to maintaining the USPS as an independent entity within the federal government, guarding it against privatization efforts.