Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement after the US Postal Service (USPS) announced that it reversed its decision to close post offices across the country, including many in rural Iowa.
"Rural areas and particularly seniors in Iowa should be pleased with today's announcement," said Loebsack. "I had strong concerns with the original proposal since it was first announced nearly a year ago, and I have not been shy about making them clear to the Postmaster General. The closures would have led to job loss and made it harder for rural residents and businesses to obtain services provided at local Post Offices. While I am pleased the US Postal Service heeded the public's warning about the negative effects it would have caused, I was disappointed that this new proposal will also mean cutbacks in Post Offices' services and hours. I will continue to monitor this situation closely."
Loebsack wrote to the United States Postal Service (USPS) in July when they announced that they would be studying 3,700 Post Offices for closure, including 178 in Iowa. He also submitted comments, along with 81 other lawmakers, to the Postal Regulatory Commission in September stating opposition to the closings.
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