Polk Times

U.S. Representatives Scott Franklin and Mario Diaz-Balart have introduced the Post Office Closure Accountability Act, aiming to enhance transparency regarding post office closures managed by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). This proposed legislation seeks to address community concerns by mandating USPS to inform local communities, officials, and Congress members of any post office closure, including those labeled as "temporary suspensions."

Current regulations require USPS to report only permanent closures through the Section 404(d) process. However, there has been a rise in the use of "temporary suspension" designations that bypass these reporting requirements, creating uncertainty for communities about their local postal services' future.

The new bill aims to rectify this issue by ensuring affected communities receive timely updates. Congressman Scott Franklin stated, "The U.S. Postal Service must be accountable and transparent to the people it serves." He emphasized the importance of timely mail delivery for critical items such as prescriptions and legal documents, asserting that fair notice should be provided for both permanent and temporary post office shutdowns.

Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart expressed his support for the bill, highlighting its role in addressing communication gaps with USPS. He noted that families, small businesses, veterans, first responders, and seniors should be notified before a post office ceases operations so they can prepare accordingly for uninterrupted mail service.

The legislation intends to rebuild public trust in USPS by ensuring transparent communication with its customers regarding potential disruptions in postal services.