Andy Nghiem (Palmetto Business Daily)
According to a statement from the Functional Government Initiative (FGI), the documents show a connection between the The Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC), a regulator responsible for transparency and oversight of USPS operations, and lobbyists for a coalition of package companies that include Amazon and eBay (known as the “Package Coalition”), which have relied on USPS to reduce one of their largest operating costs.
Cosponsored by U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), the Postal Service Reform Act passed the U.S. House and will soon be considered by the U.S. Senate, including Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC). The bill would make changes to how USPS handles retirees’ health benefits.
The Package Coalition is lobbying for legislation that would codify an “integrated network” for mail and packages. In an official corporate message, Amazon has publicly supported the Postal Service Reform Act, specifically measures taken in the bill to eliminate USPS’ existing mandate to pre-fund health benefits for retirees and shift those costs onto the Medicare system.