North Michigan News

Last week, Representatives Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Jack Bergman (MI-01), and Chris Pappas (NH-01) held a press conference urging the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to enhance its service for Americans and ensure the safety of postal employees.

The three lawmakers, along with Representative Andrew Garbarino (NY-02), are co-chairs of the Congressional Postal Service Caucus. This bipartisan group aims to improve on-time delivery rates, protect postal workers, and oppose facility consolidations and privatization efforts that could limit access in rural and underserved communities.

“In Kingsford, Michigan, our community came together to protect the Processing and Distribution Center, preserving essential services for Veterans, families, and small businesses. As co-chair of the Postal Service Caucus, I will bring that same determination to the national stage, working to modernize the Postal Service while protecting rural facilities and delivery standards. This effort is about more than mail - it’s about keeping communities connected and ensuring rural America is not left behind,” said Rep. Bergman.

“The Postal Service is a lifeline, especially for our rural communities. But in recent years, service reliability has declined and employees are being asked to do more with less. That’s why I’ve joined Representatives Bergman, Pappas, and Garbarino to create the bipartisan Congressional Postal Service Caucus and finally tackle these issues head-on in Congress,” said Rep. Budzinski. “We stood together today to demand better for our constituents and to stand up for a public Postal Service for all Americans.”

“The U.S. Postal Service provides an essential public service that seniors, families, and businesses rely on for their medications, mail, and packages,” said Rep. Pappas. “I’m joining my colleagues in launching the Congressional Postal Service Caucus so that we can continue working to strengthen mail service for communities in New Hampshire and across the country. I remain committed to improving access to prompt and reliable mail and package deliveries, especially for our rural communities.”

“The United States Postal Service plays a vital role in communities across the country. We must remain committed to ensuring reliable service, protecting postal workers, and preserving the Postal Service’s mission to serve every American household,” said Rep. Garbarino.

Jack Bergman has represented Michigan’s 1st district in Congress since 2017 after succeeding Dan Benishek (https://www.congress.gov/member/jack-bergman/B001301). He was born in Shakopee, Minnesota in 1947 and currently resides in Watersmeet. Bergman graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College with a BA in 1969 before continuing his education at the University of West Florida.