In response to the abrupt June revelation the U.S. Postal Service intends to close the contract station at Surrey Center, U.S. Rep. Rick Allen has co-sponsored a bipartisan bill to prevent such surprises.
Allen, of Augusta, joined U.S. Rep. George Whitesides, D-Calif., Tuesday in introducing the Contract Postal Unit Transparency Act. The bill would require the postal service to explain why it plans to close contract postal units and give the public an opportunity to weigh in.
Since 1979, the substation has helped taxpayers mail and receive packages, pay bills and much more, Allen said.
“The unilateral and sudden decision from USPS to potentially terminate this contract without explanation, congressional input or public feedback is unacceptable,” he said.
Whitesides described his community’s sudden loss of the Quartz Hill postal unit, open since 1952, without explanation.
The bill requires USPS to:
- Post a report detailing impacts of a proposed closure
- Submit a report to Congress explaining the rationale
- Hold a public hearing for residents to provide feedback
- Publish a summary of the hearing within seven days
- Wait 180 days after publishing the summary before closing the unit
Status of Surrey Center Pharmacy postal unit
Allen said he has repeatedly pressed USPS for the data and reasoning behind its decision to end the Surrey Center contract. He’s met with Postmaster General David Steiner, but “USPS has consistently ignored requests for hard data and transparency regarding this decision.”
Allen said he will continue urging USPS to extend the Surrey Center contract.
