Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) said when it comes to working on the problems with the US Postal Service, Congress hasn’t done its job.
Heitkamp brought Postmaster General Megan Brennan to North Dakota, to hear first hand some of the concerns people have about the Postal Service. Heitkamp said Congress needs to allow the USPS to innovate – and find new ways to do business, as some of the traditional first class mail has gone away.
"We're seeing more e-mail, more e-bills, and fewer bank statements being sent out," Heitkamp said. "That has presented some real challenges."
Heitkamp said the Postal Service is looking for new lines of business, and other ways to offer the Service the "opportunity for profitability."
"We've got to make the Post Office work better," Heitkamp said.
Brennan told reporters the Post Office needs flexibility – and she said that includes pricing.
"In terms of our market-dominant products, which generate roughly 76 percent of our revenue, they're capped at inflation," Brennan said. "One of our 'Legislative asks' is to look at some pricing flexibility."
Brennan said a 10 year review process is scheduled. That happens after the last time major postal legislation passes. She said it will look at whether the price cap works.
"I would submit that, in an environment with fixed infrastructure costs and a growing network, a price cap doesn't work," Brennan said.
Heitkamp has had a “Fix My Mail” survey on her Website. She said so far, 550 comments have been received.
