Washington, D.C.—U.S. Congressman Steve King (IA-05) last night encouraged his colleagues to support a bill to modernize the outdated U.S. Postal Service (USPS).

With King’s support, the House passed H.R. 6407, the Postal Accountability & Enhancement Act, to modernize USPS for the first time since 1970.

The bill includes a provision that prohibits the USPS from closing or consolidating any processing facilities without providing information to affected communities, giving them the opportunity to provide input, and utilizing the input in the final decision.

“With the Postal Service’s effort to move mail processing out of Sioux City, we realized that the Postal Service has much to learn about communicating with its customers,” said King. “The Postal Service wasn’t under any obligation to share information with us, and it has turned out to be a frustrating process for residents and businesses. Had these reforms been in place, we would have been assured our input was valued and that any possible decision to move the mail processing center out of Sioux City was based on positive data.”

“As the Postal Service continues its deliberations about the possible consolidation of mail processing operations from Sioux City to Sioux Falls, I will hold the Postal Service to these new requirements to ensure that the citizens and businesses of Northwest Iowa receive full disclosure and are allowed unhindered input at every turn,” added King.

Included in the overhaul are provisions to ensure the oversight of performance, including delivery times.   In addition, the bill prohibits USPS from raising postage prices above inflation.