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1 1 (May 8, 2024)

handle is hein.crs/govepbl0001 and id is 1 raw text is: ~Pnfornng hi e giaive debat e since 1914 Postal Primer: Post Office Naming The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has independent authority to name or designate its postal facilities. Additionally, Congress may designate a post office through legislation. This In Focus describes the policies and procedures for renaming (also referred to as designating or dedicating) postal facilities in honor of one or more individuals. Post Offices Designated by USPS The U.S. Post Office Department, the predecessor of the USPS, issued early guidance regarding the names of post offices in the 1800s. Under current USPS policy, naming a postal facility requires the approval of the Postmaster General. Postal facilities may be dedicated only for individuals who have been deceased for at least 10 years, with the exception of deceased U.S. Presidents, Postmasters General, or former members of the Postal Service Board of Governors. These limitations do not apply to post offices dedicated by Congress (U.S. Postal Historian, 2008). Post Offices Designated by Congress The first post office designation by Congress came in 1967 in honor of Representative Charles A. Buckley, although the postal facility was never constructed. Since 1967, Congress has dedicated (or rededicated) 980 postal facilities. Most designated facilities have been retail post offices, though Congress has dedicated at least one mail processing and distribution facility (P.L. 108-259) and two carrier annexes (P.L. 112-223; P.L. 110-217). Leased versus Owned Postal Facilities USPS maintains approximately 25,000 leased facilities and 8,500 owned facilities. Congress may designate both leased and owned postal facilities. Permission from the lessor is not required prior to designating a leased facility. USPS encourages congressional staff to reach out to their states' USPS liaisons to discuss any facilities under consideration for renaming. The liaison may consult with USPS to verify the condition of the facility, status of the lease, or other issues. In the event that a dedicated post office is relocated to a new address (e.g., due to nonrenewal of its lease), a bill to change the address of the dedicated facility may be introduced. For example, P.L. 116-15 updates the address of the post office that was originally dedicated by P.L. 115- 347. Post Offices Designated in the 17t and 18th Congresses In the 117th Congress, 64 post offices were designated by standalone post office designation statutes. Additionally, 24 post offices were designated (and one address changed for an existing designated post office) by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, Division EE, Post Office Designations (P.L. 117-328). As of May 7, 2024, seven post office designation bills have been enacted in the 118th Congress. Congressional Rules and Procedures for Post Office Designation B s Each chamber has its own formal and informal procedures for the consideration of post office designation bills, including limitations on who may be an honoree. In the Senate, the post office designation limitations are formalized in Rule 3(F) of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. In the House, the procedures are found in Rule 13(b) of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability. Additionally, a bipartisan Dear Colleague letter from the committee explains its procedures (though not a formal rule) for the consideration of postal facility naming bills in the 118th Congress. Post Office Honorees: Limitations With certain exceptions, Congress will not typically consider post office naming bills that honor living persons. In the Senate, under Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Rule 3(F) The Committee will not consider any legislation that would name a postal facility for a living person with the exception of bills naming facilities after former Presidents and Vice Presidents of the United States, former Members of Congress over 70 years of age, former State or local elected officials over 70 years of age, former judges over 70 years of age, or wounded veterans. Similar language appeared in Committee Rule 3(F) in the 117th, 116th, and 115th Congresses. House committee rules have no such limitations. Instead, according to the House Dear Colleague letter, the committee will not consider legislation designating post office buildings for a person for whom Congress already named a post office. The letter also expresses the committee's policy against consideration of post office naming bills that would honor living persons or any person who is not a U.S. citizen (with exceptions for military servicemembers and veterans). Similar Dear Colleague postal policy letters were issued in the 116th, 115th, 114th, and 112th Congresses. However, the letters of previous Congresses did not include the citizenship requirement. A Dear Colleague postal policy letter was not issued in the 113th Congress. Post Office Designation: MuLtpe Honorees Generally, a postal facility is dedicated in honor of a single person. However, a U.S. post office may be dedicated in honor of multiple individuals. For example, P.L. 116-232 dedicates a U.S. post office in Henning, TN, in honor of 0 May 8, 2024

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