Postal panel backs overhaul bill

The Postal Rate Commission sent a letter Wednesday to House Government Reform Chairman Davis and Rep. John McHugh, R-N.Y., supporting legislation championed by both lawmakers to revamp the Postal Service, countering criticism of the bill by the agency's Board of Governors.

Although the McHugh bill has passed the House 410-20 and a version has been approved overwhelmingly by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, the Board of Governors said in a letter last month to the lawmakers that the legislation would undermine some of its governing authority and could hinder agency operations.

But the Rate Commission said that "such fears are totally unfounded. The legislation does not require the Postal Service to obtain permission to modernize its network, as the Governors suggest. There is nothing in the language or legislative history of these bills that supports suggestions that the PRC should or would interfere in the day-to-day management of the Postal Service."

The Postal Rate Commission's letter was also sent to Government Reform ranking member Henry Waxman, D-Calif., and Rep. Danny Davis, D-Ill., who helped draft the measure.