FULLERTON, CA – Today, Representative Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr. (CA-39), alongside Reps. Annie Kuster (NH-02), Kendra Horn (OK-05), and Chris Pappas (NH-01) sent a letter to Small Business Administrator Jovita Carranza to express their concern about the impact that the U.S. Postal Service’s grave financial state may have on struggling small businesses across America. The Postal Service’s revenue has plummeted as a result of COVID-19 and in recent testimony to Congress, Postmaster General Megan Brennan stated that, without congressional intervention, USPS could run out of funds by the end of September 2020. The letter can be viewed here.
“Congress cannot allow the United States Postal Service to go under. The USPS supports countless jobs and small businesses in the 39th District, and its closure would have a negative impact in our community and across the country,” said Rep. Cisneros. “I strongly urge SBA Administrator Carranza to join House Democrats in saving the USPS. Our small businesses depend on it.”
“USPS allows small businesses to access reliable flat rate shipping to every address in the country, including many rural communities that could be shut out of a privatized service. Without the Postal Service, small businesses that are already increasingly reliant on e-commerce to stay afloat would not only see higher overhead costs but could lose customers as well,” wrote the lawmakers. “As the public grows to expect cheap and efficient shipping, entrepreneurs need USPS more than ever in order to compete in the global marketplace. Again, given the potential negative impact of a reduction in USPS service on small business, we strongly urge you to issue a public statement and to share these concerns with the President and other decision-makers in the Administration.”
The U.S. Postal Service remains the only mail service that guarantees delivery to every address within the country. As small businesses continue to struggle with the financial impacts of COVID-19, they have become more dependent on the Postal Service than ever.
House Democrats recently passed the Heroes Act, which includes $25 billion in emergency funding for the United States Postal Service.
