S. 1742: Rural Postal Act of 2015

114th Congress · introduced 2015-07-09 · 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 2015-07-09 · official record
Who proposed it: Sen. Heitkamp, Heidi [D-ND] · 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

Rural Postal Act of 2015

Plain summary

Rural Postal Act of 2015 Imposes a two-year moratorium on the closing or consolidation of any postal facility (i.e, a processing and distribution center, processing and distribution facility, network distribution center, or other facility that is operated by the U.S. Postal Service [USPS], the primary function of which is to sort and process mail). Sets forth matters which the USPS must consider in making a determination to close or consolidate a postal facility, including the effect of the closing or consolidation on the affected community, and for using an alternate means of transportation contract. Allows any person served by a postal facility to appeal a closing or consolidation to the Postal Regulatory Commission. Preserves the current six-day mail delivery schedule. Sets forth criteria for the closing or consolidation of rural post offices. Imposes a one-year moratorium on the discontinuation of a rural post office. Grants a right of appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board to any USPS officer or employer who: (1) is not represented by a recognized bargaining representative; and (2) is in a supervisory, professional, technical, clerical, administrative, or managerial position covered by the Executive and Administrative Schedule. Establishes in the USPS the position of Chief Morale Officer who shall oversee USPS employees, including managers, and develop national initiatives that address working conditions, staffing, communication, and training. Establishes the Rural Postal Service Advisory Commission to provide strategic guidance on enhancing and protecting postal services in rural areas and to foster innovative thinking to address challenges facing the USPS in enhancing and protecting such services. Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to the USPS considering options for delivery vehicles in rural areas, providing wireless broadband Internet access service in rural post offices, and maintaining door or curbside delivery in lieu of centralized delivery.

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

Rural Postal Act of 2015

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. Heitkamp, Heidi [D-ND] · 7 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Gary C. Peters (D-MI), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR)

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 (1)

Ballot initiative: A proposed law or constitutional amendment that citizens place on the ballot by gathering enough voter signatures, so voters decide it directly. About half the states allow some form of it.

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-114s1742.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/114/s>

Record fed-us-cong114-s1742 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong114 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong114