Bill Summary
The "Postal Suspension Transparency Act" is a proposed legislation aimed at enhancing transparency regarding post offices that are temporarily closed due to emergencies. The bill mandates the U.S. Postal Service to create and maintain a publicly accessible website. This site will provide essential information about each post office experiencing an emergency suspension, including:
1. A list of covered post offices that are temporarily closed.
2. Specific details for each post office, such as:
- Street address.
- Date of suspension.
- Reason for the suspension.
- Available alternative services, including curbside delivery options.
- Location and hours of operation of the nearest postal service facility.
- Estimated date for resumption of operations, if available.
The website will also feature a search function allowing users to find information by street address, ZIP code, or post office box. The information will be presented in an interactive format, enabling users to sort, filter, and potentially download data for analysis.
The bill requires the Postal Service to implement this website within one year of its enactment, thereby ensuring that the public has reliable access to information about suspended post offices during emergencies.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the "Postal Suspension Transparency Act" could affect people:
1. **Informed Decision-Making**: Individuals relying on postal services would have access to real-time information about post office closures due to emergencies. This transparency allows them to plan their mailing activities more effectively, avoiding unnecessary trips to closed post offices and instead using alternative services or locations.
2. **Enhanced Accessibility**: The interactive website would provide crucial information about the nearest facilities offering postal services, including their operating hours. This feature would particularly benefit those in remote or underserved areas, ensuring they can easily find alternative options for mailing and receiving packages, which is essential for both personal and business needs.
3. **Accountability and Communication**: By mandating the Postal Service to disclose reasons for emergency suspensions and estimated resumption dates, the legislation fosters accountability. Communities and local businesses affected by these suspensions can better prepare for disruptions, engage in planning with local stakeholders, and ensure that their voices are heard regarding postal service reliability.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6811 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6811
To require the Postal Service to establish a website providing
information on post offices experiencing emergency suspensions, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
December 17, 2025
Mr. Pappas (for himself, Mr. Bergman, Ms. Budzinski, and Mr. Garbarino)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To require the Postal Service to establish a website providing
information on post offices experiencing emergency suspensions, and for
other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Postal Suspension Transparency
Act''.
SEC. 2. POST OFFICE EMERGENCY SUSPENSION WEBSITE.
(a) In General.--Subchapter VII of chapter 36 of title 39, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 3693. Post office emergency suspension website
``(a) In General.--The Postal Service shall develop and maintain a
publicly available website with an interactive web-tool that provides
information about each covered post office, including the information
described in subsection (b).
``(b) Emergency Suspension Information.--The information provided
on the website shall include--
``(1) a list of each covered post office; and
``(2) for each covered post office--
``(A) a street address;
``(B) the date on which the relevant emergency
suspension for such covered post office took effect;
``(C) the reason for such emergency suspension;
``(D) alternative services available, including how
to request curbside delivery;
``(E) the location of, and hours of operation for,
the nearest facility providing retail access to postal
services; and
``(F) to the extent practicable, the estimated date
on which operations at such covered post office will
resume.
``(c) Address Search Functionality.--The website shall include
functionality enabling a user to search for information about covered
post offices by street address, ZIP Code, or post office box.
``(d) Format.--The information described in subsection (a) shall be
provided on the website--
``(1) in a manner that--
``(A) presents such information on an interactive
dashboard;
``(B) is searchable and may be sorted and filtered
by the elements described in subsection (b)(2); and
``(C) to the extent practicable, enables any person
or entity to download in bulk--
``(i) such information; and
``(ii) the results of a search by the
elements described in subsection (b)(2);
``(2) in an open format that permits any individual or
entity to reuse and analyze such information; and
``(3) in a structured data format, to the extent
practicable.
``(e) Suspension Notice.--Information provided on the website shall
not be considered as providing notice to any person that the operations
of a post office have been temporarily suspended pursuant to subchapter
61 of the Postal Service Handbook PO-101, or any successor policy.
``(f) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Covered post office.--The term `covered post office'
means a post office at which operations have been temporarily
suspended pursuant to subchapter 61 of the Postal Service
Handbook PO-101, or any successor policy.
``(2) Emergency suspension.--The term `emergency
suspension' means the temporary suspension of operations at a
post office pursuant to subchapter 61 of the Postal Service
Handbook PO-101, or any successor policy.
``(3) Post office.--The term `post office' means a Post
Office, as such term is defined in section 241.1 of title 39,
Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation, and
includes a post office branch or post office station.
``(4) Website.--The term `Website' means the website
described in subsection (a).''.
(b) Implementation Deadline.--Not later than one year after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Postal Service shall establish
the website required under section 3693(a) of title 39, United States
Code, as added by this Act.
(c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 36 of
title 39, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item
relating to section 3692 the following new item:
``3693. Post office emergency suspension website.''.
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