Press Releases

Last week, U.S. Representatives Scott Franklin (FL-18) and Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-26) introduced the Post Office Closure Accountability Act to improve transparency in how the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) handles post office closures.

The Post Office Closure Accountability Act would require USPS to notify communities, local officials and Members of Congress of any post office closure, including those classified as “temporary suspensions.” 

Under current law, USPS is only required to report permanent closures t
hrough the Section 404(d) process. However, the agency has increasingly used the “temporary suspension” designation to bypass these requirements, leaving communities uncertain about the future of vital local postal services.

This bill closes that loophole by ensuring affected communities receive timely and transparent updates, helping restore public trust in one of our most relied-upon federal services.

“The U.S. Postal Service must be accountable and transparent to the people it serves,” said Congressman Scott Franklin. “Our constituents depend on timely mail delivery. It’s particularly important when it involves critical items like prescriptions, legal paperwork or financial documents. If a post office shuts down, whether permanently or temporarily, people deserve fair notice so they can plan accordingly. This bill closes a loophole and helps restore confidence in one of our most relied-upon public services.”

“I am proud to cosponsor this bill to ensure that the USPS remains accountable to the customers it serves and that mail delivery remains timely,” said Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart. “This legislation is a direct response to the lack of communication and transparency we’ve all experienced from USPS. Families, small businesses, veterans, first responders, and seniors should be notified in advance before a post office shuts down its operations. Individuals expecting important and time-sensitive mail, such as U.S. passports, life-saving medication, legal and financial documents, must be given the opportunity to make preparations ahead of time so that they can continue to receive their mail without interruption.”

Click here for the full bill text.

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