USPS SERVES US Act
Sponsored By: Representative Rep. Graves, Sam [R-MO-6]
Introduced
Summary
Modernize USPS regulation and finances. This bill would tighten pricing and service rules, create a Customer Advocate, and let Treasury invest up to 25 percent of available retiree health fund assets in index funds.
Show full summary
- Households and businesses would face a CPI-based rate framework with a floor, no more than one rate change per year for market-dominant products, and limits on "underwater" surcharges for loss-making classes.
- Mail users would gain enforceable, transparent service performance targets, faster complaint and adjudication timelines, mandatory explanations and hearings for service changes, and a new Office of the Customer Advocate to represent customers.
- Postal employees and retirees would see governance and investment changes. An Investment Committee made up of Treasury, the USPS Board, the Thrift Board, and two presidential appointees (3-year terms) would oversee investing up to 25 percent of available Fund assets in index funds, with annual audits and reports to Congress.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Caps on USPS price hikes
If enacted, this bill would cap annual price increases for market‑dominant mail at the 12‑month CPI‑U change minus 0.5 percentage points. USPS could raise these prices only once every 12 months. The Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) could set a different single‑year limit, but it must explain why. A narrow exception for non‑compensatory classes would apply only if strict cost and performance conditions are met. The PRC could cut future rate‑increase authority to recoup unlawful rates or when USPS has covered performance failures. It would also limit USPS retained earnings to savings from efficiency gains or cost cuts.
Stronger USPS watchdog and faster reviews
If enacted, this would create an Office of the Customer Advocate at the PRC to speak for the public in cases about mail rates and service. The PRC could require USPS to justify service changes in a public hearing when a plan implies a change. The PRC’s decision would go to the USPS Board of Governors, who could accept it or unanimously reject it; if they do nothing in 60 days, the PRC decision becomes final for court review. Complaint cases would move faster, with a 25‑day window for early dismissal motions and 45‑day decision deadlines; the PRC could order reimbursement if USPS caused unreasonable delay. The PRC would build its own mail‑demand model within 120 days and could not rely on USPS models. The PRC would apply objectives to each mail class and product and aim to maintain or grow market‑dominant mail volume.
Invest part of USPS retiree fund
If enacted, the Treasury would invest 25% of available Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund assets in index funds. The share could rise to 30% no earlier than five years after the 2019 law, if the Investment Committee approves. Investments would use professional managers and aim to track the longest‑term target‑date fund. A new committee with Treasury, USPS, the Thrift Board chair, and two presidential appointees would guide choices. An independent audit would occur each year, and Treasury would send an annual report to Congress. This could raise returns but would add market risk.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rep. Graves, Sam [R-MO-6]
MO • R
Cosponsors
Norman
SC • R
Sponsored 9/3/2025
Schmidt
KS • R
Sponsored 10/8/2025
Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1]
KS • R
Sponsored 12/9/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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