H.R. 9685, the Upending Secret Postal Shutdowns Act, requires the U.S. Postal Service to implement new transparency and procedural requirements when post offices temporarily close due to emergencies. When a post office suspends operations, the USPS must immediately post a notice at the facility and on its website, then notify relevant members of Congress and local government officials within five days, including the reason for closure, interim mail delivery plans, and expected reopening date. If a closure lasts 30 days or longer, the public gets a 30-day comment period, and if it extends to 60 days, the Postal Regulatory Commission must review the closure and the USPS must begin relocating operations to a new location with additional public input. The bill also requires each postmaster to develop an emergency action plan in consultation with the Postmaster General and mandates that the USPS submit annual reports to Congress detailing all emergency closures from the previous year. The legislation affects communities relying on postal services and applies to closures caused by natural disasters, lease terminations, staffing shortages, building damage, health concerns, or security issues.
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