Deliver for Democracy Act
Sponsored By: Representative Aderholt
Introduced
Summary
Conditioning Postal Service periodical rate increases on delivery performance. The Deliver for Democracy Act would stop USPS from getting new rate authority for periodicals unless it meets strict on-time delivery tests and would require regular public reporting and an independent study of pricing options.
Show full summary
- Publishers and newspapers would see future postage increases tied to measurable delivery results, not automatic rate authority. The GAO would study alternative pricing and submit findings within two years to help improve the financial position of periodicals and products that lose money.
- USPS operations would face a clear gate. The Postal Regulatory Commission would be required to update rules within one year so no additional periodical rate authority is granted unless USPS hits either 95 percent on-time delivery or improves by 2 percentage points versus a recent high year.
- Local delivery units and mail users would get more transparency. The Postmaster General would produce annual reports on in-county and out-of-county newspaper mail performance, solicit stakeholder input, and work with the PRC to develop data systems if piece-level data are not available.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Limit USPS periodical rate hikes
If enacted, the Postal Regulatory Commission would have to change its rules within one year. For any fiscal year ending after enactment, it would not approve extra rate authority for USPS periodicals for the next year unless delivery improves. USPS would need 95% on-time delivery for periodicals, or at least a 2 percentage-point gain versus the highest measured year before, on, or after enactment, using the service standards in effect on the enactment date. This could reduce the risk of higher postage costs for publishers and mailers.
Annual report on newspaper delivery times
If enacted, the Postmaster General would publish a yearly report on on-time delivery for in-county and out-of-county newspaper mail accepted at each delivery unit. The Postmaster General would seek input from publishers and other stakeholders. If per-piece data are missing, the Postal Regulatory Commission and USPS would create a digital, bundle-level data system. The annual reports would continue until the PRC decides these mail types are built into regular performance measures. If identifying newspaper mail is impracticable, the PRC could allow the closest category and must publish the methods, costs, and reasoning.
GAO study on periodical pricing
If enacted, the Government Accountability Office would study pricing options and other steps to improve the finances of USPS periodicals and other products that do not cover their costs. The study would review how each option could affect these products. GAO would send a report to two congressional committees within two years of enactment.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Aderholt
AL • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5]
MO • D
Sponsored 3/14/2025
Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank," Jr. [D-GA-4]
GA • D
Sponsored 3/14/2025
Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1]
NC • D
Sponsored 3/14/2025
Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20]
FL • D
Sponsored 3/14/2025
Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24]
NY • R
Sponsored 3/14/2025
Craig
MN • D
Sponsored 3/14/2025
Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2]
SC • R
Sponsored 3/14/2025
Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1]
GA • R
Sponsored 3/14/2025
Cole
OK • R
Sponsored 3/14/2025
Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/14/2025
Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4]
NC • D
Sponsored 3/14/2025
Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
NY • R
Sponsored 3/14/2025
Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25]
FL • D
Sponsored 3/14/2025
Rep. Guest, Michael [R-MS-3]
MS • R
Sponsored 3/18/2025
Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3]
WI • R
Sponsored 3/18/2025
Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6]
MD • D
Sponsored 3/24/2025
Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8]
MI • D
Sponsored 12/15/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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