Pappas Secures Provisions in Funding Legislation to Permanently Halt Consolidation of USPS Processing and Distribution Centers

This week, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), a founding member of the Congressional Postal Service Caucus, announced that following bipartisan advocacy from him and his colleagues in the House, legislation advanced out of a House Appropriations Subcommittee that would implement the changes required by their Protect Postal Performance Act, which would prevent the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) from downsizing facilities in underserved areas, provide more oversight over modifications to delivery schedules, and increase public transparency over proposed changes. The changes would permanently halt the proposed closure of the Manchester USPS Processing and Distribution Center.

“The U.S. Postal Service provides an essential public service that supports households and businesses,” said Congressman Pappas. “USPS must take actions that will improve service, not make it worse. By preventing harmful facility downsizing and enhancing service, these bipartisan measures will safeguard mail service for communities across New Hampshire, and I’m glad to see them included in this year’s funding legislation. I’ll continue to support efforts that strengthen transparency, protect our postal workers, and improve mail service.”

Last year, in response to USPS’s announcement that it planned to close the Manchester USPS Processing and Distribution Center, Pappas worked alongside a bipartisan group of his House colleagues and the New Hampshire delegation to call on then United States Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to reverse course on these plans. Heeding Pappas and his colleagues' calls, USPS paused the implementation of proposed changes to the Manchester facility in May 2024.

Background:

Congressman Pappas is a strong advocate for the U.S. Postal Service and ensuring Granite Staters receive fast, reliable mail and package delivery. Earlier this year, he helped introduce the bipartisan Protect Postal Performance Act to prevent USPS from downsizing facilities in underserved areas, provide oversight over modifications to delivery schedules, and increase public transparency. He has also consistently pushed for passage of the bipartisan Porch Pirates Act, which would increase penalties for package theft by so-called ‘porch pirates.’

In the 117th Congress, Pappas helped pass the bipartisan Postal Service Reform Act of 2022, which was signed into law, and made urgently needed reforms to ensure the USPS's longevity.