American Enterprise Institute (AEI) Senior Fellow Dr. Kevin Kosar joins Bob to discuss press reports that President Trump plans to takeover the U.S. Postal Service by firing its Board of Governors, and folding its governance and operations into the Department of Commerce. Newly confirmed Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has expressed interest in "privatizing" the USPS. Kevin is the AEI's resident expert on Congress, the administrative state, American politics and the Postal Service.

Rep. George Latimer (D-NY) joins Bob to discuss the beginning of the 119th Congress, freshman orientation, his transition from elected local office to federal office, his expectations for the year, and his views relating to the U.S. Postal Service. In addition, Bob shares news relating to imminent attacks on postal health and retirement benefits though the congressional budget process.

In the holiday spirit, NAPS Branch 32 (Mid-Tennessee) President Robert Wakefield joins Bob to discuss the history of holiday greeting cards and postage stamps. In addition, Robert and Bob commiserate about correspondence that was sent during the time of the first Christmas and before.  In addition, Bob provides an end-of-year accounting of successful legislation to repeal the government pension offset and windfall elimination provision; changes on the two congressional committees with jurisdiction over the USPS; the emerging threat of postal privatization; and the failure of the Senate to confirm four nominees to the USPS Board of Governors. 

Recorded at the National Press Club, Federal News Network

Last month on NAPS Chat, USPS' Karla Kirby talked about the Postal Service Health Benefits Program (PSHBP) and what to expect. Karla referenced the USPS' partnership with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) in implementing the new health program. On this episode, OPM Manager of Outreach and Program Services Jay Fritz joins Bob to discuss the just commenced PSHBP open season, program changes, premiums, benefits and the available tools to make health plan decisions. 

National Association of Postal Supervisors Executive Vice President

Karla Kirby, executive director of the new Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) program, joins Bob to discuss the inaugural "open season" of the program for postal employees and annuitants. Karla and Bob talk about the differing roles the USPS and the Office of Personnel

Carrie Villar, director of curatorial affairs at the National Postal Museum joins Bob to discuss America's tradition of using the U.S. Postal Service to accept, transport and deliver election ballots. The is a history dating back to the Civil War. Coincidentally, on September 27, Postmaster General DeJoy testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, in part, to assure American voters that they should be confident in the Postal Service's vote by mail efforts. The subcommittee is chaired by Rep. David Joyce (R-OH).

Rep. Garrett Graves joins Bob to discuss his effort to force a House vote on H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act. Rep. Graves talks about his bipartisan work with Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) to finally address the unfair Social Security treatment suffered by millions of Americans who either worked for federal, state and  local governments, or are their dependents. Rep. Graves commended NAPS for prioritizing this issue and for waging a multi-pronged legislative campaign to secure the signatures of at least 218 members of the House to sign a discharge petition to bring H.R. 82 to a floor vote. You can join this campaign by linking to the campaign here.

Bob also briefly talks about a Postal Service-hosted technical conference on the Delivering for America plan, which is a prerequisite for its request for an Postal Regulatory Commission Advisory Opinion on the plan.

Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) member Ashley Poling joins Bob at the NAPS' 69th Biennial National Convention to discuss how the PRC is casting much-needed illumination on the impact recent operational changes implemented by the Postal Service is having on the nation and on postal-reliant American citizens. In addition, Ashley and Bob talk about pending congressional legislation to provide the PRC with greater authority to ensure that the American public and the mailing community receive the mail service they expect and deserve.