U.S. Rep. Mike Bost (IL-12) has introduced the Upending Secret Postal Shutdowns (USPS) Act to increase transparency and accountability surrounding post office closures under “emergency suspensions.”
The legislation aims to prevent the U.S. Postal Service from shutting down post offices without first informing affected communities and providing a detailed justification for the closure.
Currently, the USPS can suspend operations for emergencies, such as staffing shortages or natural disasters, with an expectation of restoring service within 280 days.
However, Bost’s bill sets strict deadlines for public notifications, requires community input, and mandates annual reports to Congress on long-term closures.
Bost, representing Southern Illinois, highlighted the importance of postal services in rural communities, where many residents depend on timely deliveries for prescriptions, bills, and other essentials.
He noted that his office has received over 250 complaints about postal service disruptions across nearly every county in his district over the past two years.
These closures have created confusion and uncertainty, particularly in small towns with limited access to nearby post offices.
Bost recently visited USPS’s regional distribution center in St. Louis and met with postal officials in Washington, D.C., to discuss constituent concerns.
His proposed legislation seeks to ensure greater transparency and to expedite service restoration for communities affected by postal disruptions.