Passage of the bill that would overhaul the operations of the U.S. Postal Service. The bill would establish a Postal Regulatory Commission and make changes to the system for regulating postal rates. It would require the Postal Regulatory System to develop separate rate regulation systems for market-dominant products and competitive products, including Express and Priority Mail, within two years of enactment. The bill would require the Treasury Department to pay retirement costs related to military service and establish the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund. The Postal Service would be required to calculate its unfunded liability for health benefits costs for current and future retirees. The Postal Service would also be subject to competition laws, including fair Passed 410-20: R 208-20; D 201-0 (ND 150-0, SD 51-0); I 1-0. A 'nay' was a vote in support of the president's position. July 26, 2005.
Flake, R-Ariz., amendment that would create pilot programs for up to 20 communities to determine the feasibility of alternative mail delivery services. Communities would have to submit applications to the Postal Service proposing alternative postal service providers, the impact on consumers, the services providers would supply and the duration of the program, which could be up to five years. Rejected 51-379: R 51-177; D 0-201 (ND 0-150, SD 0-51); I 0-1 . July 26, 2005.
Pence, R-Ind., amendment that would strike a provision in the bill that would require one position on the Postal Service's Board of Governors to be filled by an individual with the unanimous backing of labor unions. Rejected 82-345: R 82-146; D 0-198 (ND 0-149, SD 0-49); I 0-1. July 26, 2005.
Towns, D-N.Y., motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill that would allow the U.S. Postal Service to accept monetary donations for plaques in connection with the commemorative designation of postal facilities and require the Postal Service, after receiving sufficient amounts, to provide a plaque within 120 days of a facility designation. Motion agreed to 414-0: R 170-0; D 244-0. A two-thirds majority of those present and voting (276 in this case) is required for passage under suspension of the rules.
Towns, D-N.Y., motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill that would lower the amount the U.S. Postal Service is required to contribute to the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund in fiscal 2009 to $1.4 billion from $5.4 billion. Motion agreed to 388-32: R 142-32; D 246-0. A two-thirds majority of those present and voting (280 in this case) is required for passage under suspension of the rules.
Passage of the bill that would allow the Postal Service to recoup about $11 billion in overpayments to a retirement account and use the money to provide financial incentives to some 100,000 employees to retire. It also would delay for two years a cost-savings plan to eliminate Saturday postal deliveries. As amended, it would establish limits on the compensation of executives of the Postal Service. It would direct the postmaster general to maintain overnight delivery for some first class mail for the next three years. It also would allow the operation of only one post office on each side of the Capitol complex. Passed 62-37 : D 47-4; R 13-33; I 2-0. By unanimous consent, the Senate agreed to raise the majority requirement for passage of the bill to 60 votes.
DeMint, R-S.C., amendment no. 2046 to the Lieberman, I-Conn., substitute amendment no. 2000. The DeMint amendment would bar the use of union dues paid by Postal Service employees for purposes other than collective bargaining and similar activities without an annual certification. The substitute would allow the Postal Service to recoup about $11 billion in overpayments to a retirement account and use the money to provide financial incentives to some 100,000 employees to retire. Rejected 46-53 : D 0-51; R 46-0; I 0-2. By unanimous consent, the Senate agreed to raise the majority requirement for adoption of the DeMint amendment to 60 votes.
Casey, D-Pa., amendment no. 2042 to the Lieberman, I-Conn., substitute amendment no. 2000. The Casey amendment would prohibit the Postal Service from extending the standard delivery time for certain products including periodicals and other bound printed matter. The substitute would allow the Postal Service to recoup about $11 billion in overpayments to a retirement account and use the money to provide financial incentives to some 100,000 employees to retire. Rejected 44-54 : D 41-9; R 2-44; I 1-1. By unanimous consent, the Senate agreed to raise the majority requirement for adoption of the Casey amendment to 60 votes.
Paul, R-Ky., amendment no. 2039 to the Lieberman, I-Conn., substitute amendment no. 2000. The Paul amendment would prohibit collective bargaining by Postal Service employees. The substitute would allow the Postal Service to recoup about $11 billion in overpayments to a retirement account and use the money to provide financial incentives to some 100,000 employees to retire. Rejected 23-76 : D 0-51; R 23-23; I 0-2. By unanimous consent, the Senate agreed to raise the majority requirement for adoption of the Paul amendment to 60 votes.
Paul, R-Ky., amendment no. 2025 to the Lieberman, I-Conn., substitute amendment no. 2000. The Paul amendment would allow mailbox owners to determine whether to allow organizations or entities other than the Postal Service to put things in their mailboxes. The substitute would allow the Postal Service to recoup about $11 billion in overpayments to a retirement account and use the money to provide financial incentives to some 100,000 employees to retire. Rejected 35-64 : D 0-51; R 35-11; I 0-2. By unanimous consent, the Senate agreed to raise the majority requirement for adoption of the Paul amendment to 60 votes. April 24, 2012, on the legislative day April 23, 2012.
Akaka, D-Hawaii, amendment no. 2049 to the Lieberman, I-Conn., substitute amendment no. 2000. The Akaka amendment would allow supervisory organizations to participate in planning Postal Service pay policies, certain benefits and other policies. The substitute would allow the Postal Service to recoup about $11 billion in overpayments to a retirement account and use the money to provide financial incentives to some 100,000 employees to retire. Rejected 57-42 : D 51-0; R 4-42; I 2-0. By unanimous consent, the Senate agreed to raise the majority requirement for adoption of the Akaka amendment to 60 votes. April 24, 2012, on the legislative day April 23, 2012.
Corker, R-Tenn., amendment no. 2083 to the Lieberman, I-Conn., substitute amendment no. 2000. The Corker amendment would allow the Postal Service to immediately transition to a delivery service of five days per week. The substitute would allow the Postal Service to recoup about $11 billion in overpayments to a retirement account and use the money to provide financial incentives to some 100,000 employees to retire. Rejected 29-70 : D 0-51; R 29-17; I 0-2. By unanimous consent, the Senate agreed to raise the majority requirement for adoption of the Corker amendment to 60 votes. April 24, 2012, on the legislative day April 23, 2012.
Coburn, R-Okla., amendment no. 2061 to the Lieberman, I-Conn., substitute amendment no. 2000. The Coburn amendment would allow the U.S. postmaster general to require employees of the postal service eligible for retirement to retire, beginning two years after enactment of the bill. The substitute would allow the Postal Service to recoup about $11 billion in overpayments to a retirement account and use the money to provide financial incentives to some 100,000 employees to retire. Rejected 33-65 : D 0-51; R 33-12; I 0-2. By unanimous consent, the Senate agreed to raise the majority requirement for adoption of the Coburn amendment to 60 votes. April 24, 2012, on the legislative day April 23, 2012.
S 380 Passage of the bill that would alter the formula used to determine the size of annual payments made by the Postal Service to the civil service pension fund. The Postal Service would be required to use the same formula for payments to the Civil Service Retirement System that it currently uses to determine payments to the Federal Employee Retirement System. The resulting savings through fiscal 2005 would go toward lowering the service's debt to the U.S. Treasury. A portion of the savings in fiscal 2005 also would go toward maintaining current postage rates. Passed 424–0: R 223–0; D 200–0 (ND 144–0, SD 56–0); I 1–0. April 8, 2003.
Motion to invoke cloture (thus limiting debate) on the Reid, D-Nev., motion to proceed to the bill that would allow the Postal Service to recoup about $11 billion in overpayments to a retirement account and use the money to provide financial incentives to some 100,000 employees to retire. It also would delay for two years a cost-savings plan to eliminate Saturday postal deliveries. Motion rejected 51-46 : D 44-7; R 5-39; I 2-0. Three-fifths of the total Senate (60) is required to invoke cloture. (Subsequently, Reid entered a motion to reconsider the vote.).
Paul, R-Ky., amendment no. 2028 to the Lieberman, I-Conn., substitute amendment no. 2000. The Paul amendment would establish a pilot program to allow local postmasters to determine the best ways to process and deliver mail within their jurisdictions, with approval of the Postal Regulatory Commission. The substitute would allow the Postal Service to recoup about $11 billion in overpayments to a retirement account and use the money to provide financial incentives to some 100,000 employees to retire. Rejected 35-64 : D 0-51; R 35-11; I 0-2. By unanimous consent, the Senate agreed to raise the majority requirement for adoption of the Paul amendment to 60 votes.
Manchin, D-W.Va., amendment no. 2079 to the Lieberman, I-Conn., substitute amendment no. 2000. The Manchin amendment would place a two-year moratorium on the closure of post offices and mail processing facilities. The substitute would allow the Postal Service to recoup about $11 billion in overpayments to a retirement account and use the money to provide financial incentives to some 100,000 employees to retire. Rejected 43-53 : D 38-12; R 4-40; I 1-1. By unanimous consent, the Senate agreed to raise the majority requirement for adoption of the Manchin amendment to 60 votes.
Akaka, D-Hawaii, amendment no. 2034 to the Lieberman, I-Conn., substitute amendment no. 2000. The Akaka amendment would strike provisions in the bill restricting workers' compensation and replace it with adjustments to laws governing federal employees. It would allow payments of certain benefits in the event of terrorism incidents. It also would allow payments of up to $6,000 for funeral expenses in the event of death of certain federal employees. The substitute would allow the Postal Service to recoup about $11 billion in overpayments to a retirement account and use the money to provide financial incentives to some 100,000 employees to retire. Rejected 46-53 : D 44-7; R 1-45; I 1-1. By unanimous consent, the Senate agreed to raise the majority requirement for adoption of the Akaka amendment to 60 votes. April 24, 2012, on the legislative day April 23, 2012.
McCain, R-Ariz., amendment no. 2044 to the Lieberman, I-Conn., substitute amendment no. 2000. The McCain amendment would establish a new Commission on Postal Reorganization that would be responsible for providing recommendations for postal facility closures and consolidations. The substitute would allow the Postal Service to recoup about $11 billion in overpayments to a retirement account and use the money to provide financial incentives to some 100,000 employees to retire. Rejected 30-69 : D 0-51; R 30-16; I 0-2. By unanimous consent, the Senate agreed to raise the majority requirement for adoption of the McCain amendment to 60 votes. April 24, 2012, on the legislative day April 23, 2012.
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