1. United States
2. Ill.
3. Letter

I am writing to you as a concerned constituent and a proud employee of the United States Postal Service (USPS). I am deeply troubled by recent legislative efforts, particularly the proposed HR 4971, the Paycheck Protection Act, which threatens the insurance benefits that our unions have worked tirelessly to secure. Your mission statement emphasizes the importance of ensuring the efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability of the federal government and its agencies, as well as providing a voice for the people it serves. I urge you to reflect on this mission as you consider the implications of this proposed legislation. As of January 1, 2025, USPS employees and annuitants are no longer eligible to enroll or continue enrollment in Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) plans. Instead, we must enroll in the new Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) program to maintain health coverage. This significant change has already placed a considerable burden on many of us who rely on these benefits for our health and well-being. In response, our unions have worked diligently to negotiate with insurance companies to secure coverage that meets our needs. However, the proposal to eliminate the ability to deduct union dues from our paychecks threatens these hard-won benefits. By making it more difficult for unions to operate effectively, you are undermining our ability to secure and maintain the insurance coverage that is essential for our families. I must ask: why would elected officials want to hurt us? How does targeting our union dues, which are essential for securing the insurance that the government has chosen not to provide, align with your commitment to serve the people? This situation feels unjust and raises serious questions about the priorities of those in power. Consider this: your mail carrier visits your home and business six days a week, providing a vital public service without expecting anything in return. Now, we are simply requesting that you keep our healthcare, our families, and our livelihoods in mind when making decisions on this bill. It is disheartening to see that while some individuals in positions of power receive comprehensive insurance benefits, many of us—those who contribute to the economy and society through hard work—are left without the same level of support. Why is it that we, the working families you are supposed to represent, often feel overlooked and undervalued? We deserve the same level of care and consideration that is afforded to others. It is time for our leaders to recognize the importance of supporting working families and to ensure that we have access to the benefits we need to thrive. I urge you to reconsider any measures that would further strip away our hard-won benefits and to stand with us in support of fair labor practices.