Senate paves way for quick passage of postal reform legislation

An amendment sponsored by Senate Governmental Affairs Chairwoman Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Sen. Thomas Carper, D-Del., sets up a deficit-neutral reserve fund to enact postal changes.

Although Collins and Carper have not yet drafted a bill, the Governmental Affairs Committee has held six hearings on the legislation, and Collins and Carper plan to introduce a bill next month.

Under the amendment passed last week, if the committee reports a fully offset reform bill, Budget Chairman Nickles can allocate the direct spending authority needed to bring the bill to the floor, without the bill being subject to a Budget Act point of order.

"This amendment puts the Senate on notice that we intend to move a postal reform bill this year," Collins said.