Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe to Discuss Challenges Facing Postal Service

Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe, who has led U.S. Postal Service since 2011, during one of the service’s most turbulent periods, and is leaving his post on Feb. 1, will offer a frank appraisal on what is working and what needs to be fixed at a Newsmaker news conference 10 a.m., Tues. Jan 6, in the National Press Club’s Murrow Room.

On Monday, USPS will lower its standards for mail delivery across the nation. Mail will potentially take longer to reach its final destination. In contrast, USPS expanded package delivery to seven days a week during the just ended holiday season.

Where is USPS headed in an era of growing e-commerce and package delivery, but a drop in the use of mail for bill paying and personal correspondence?

What about USPS’ finances? The postal service just reported its best quarter financially in seven years. Yet, USPS says it has been hobbled by a Congressional requirement to prepay billions of dollars in retiree healthcare costs. Congress also adjourned last year without approving either new members for USPS’ Board of Governors or enacting postal reform legislation that was years in the making.

National Press Club Past President Angela Greiling Keane, who previously covered USPS for Bloomberg News, will host the event.

CONTACT: Angela Greiling Keane NPC Newsmaker Event Host 202-654-1287 [email protected] or Newsmaker Committee Co-Chair