S. 2014: Postal Investment Act of 2011

112th Congress · introduced 2011-12-16 · Government Operations and Politics · Latest: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2011-12-16 · official record
Who proposed it: Sen. Akaka, Daniel K. [D-HI] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Postal Investment Act of 2011

Plain summary

Postal Investment Act of 2011 - Revises provisions of federal law relating to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) with respect to the funding of retiree health benefits, product innovation, and its workforce. Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Act of 2011 - Revises the method for calculating USPS contributions to the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefit Fund (Fund). Eliminates currently required prefunding payments to the Fund after FY2012. Establishes the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Investment Board to manage investments for the Fund. Permits the Board to invest in nongovernmental securities. Establishes a funding level for the Fund at 80% of the net present value of contribution amounts. Exempts USPS from Fund contribution requirements in any fiscal year in which it has an outstanding debt obligation. Requires the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC), in establishing or revising a system for regulating rates and classes for market-dominant products, to consider the effect of increased customer satisfaction and increased performance of services on the value of the mail for the general public, postal customers, and others engaged in the delivery of mail other than letters. Authorizes PRC to establish new classes of mail at the request of USPS. Directs the Postmaster General to: (1) designate a senior officer in USPS who has a wide range of knowledge of USPS, its customers, marketing, and product innovation to serve as Chief Product Innovation Officer; and (2) develop a program to educate postal employees and retirees on how Medicare benefits can interact with or supplement benefits under the Federal Employee Health Benefit Program (FEHB). Requires USPS to develop a program to increase compliance with postage requirements, including compliance with fraud investigations. Requires surplus contributions to the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) to be used by USPS to fund separation payments to USPS employees who voluntarily separate from service before October 1, 2014. Grants postmasters and supervisors the right to consult with USPS on any changes to or reductions of compensation and benefits. Extends protections afforded to federal employees in any reduction in force to USPS employees. Authorizes the USPS Board of Governors to allow not more than 12 USPS officers or employees in critical senior executive or equivalent positions to receive total annual compensation in an amount not to exceed 135% of: (1) level I of the Executive Schedule for the Postmaster General, (2) level II of the Executive Schedule for the Deputy Postmaster General, and (3) level III of the Executive Schedule for any other officer or employee.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Postal Investment Act of 2011

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate)

AI explanation – may be wrong, check the official text

No AI explanation yet. It takes up to a minute to write and is then saved for everyone.

Limited to a few requests an hour per person.

The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

Needs sources: no published arguments on this side yet. We only show items backed by a published source. Suggest one.

Arguments against (opponents)

Needs sources: no published arguments on this side yet. We only show items backed by a published source. Suggest one.

Alternatives

Needs sources: no published alternatives yet (for example a different bill, a law instead of an amendment, or keeping current law). We only show items backed by a published source. Suggest one.

How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Sen. Akaka, Daniel K. [D-HI] · 0 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (3)

Fiscal year: The 12-month period a government uses for its budget. The federal fiscal year runs from October 1 to September 30 and is named for the calendar year in which it ends. Most states use July 1 to June 30.
Obligation: A binding promise by a government agency to pay money, for example by signing a contract or awarding a grant. Spending data such as USAspending.gov counts money when it is obligated, which can be before it is actually paid out.
Securities: Financial investments that can be bought and sold, such as stocks and bonds.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-112s2014.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/112/s>

Record fed-us-cong112-s2014 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong112 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong112