Norton Says No D.C. Post Office Closings Are Imminent

July 29, 2011

WASHINGTON, DC -- Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), a member of the House committee and the subcommittee with jurisdiction over the U.S. Postal Service, today said that she was concerned that the 19 postal facilities in the District have been selected by the Postal Service for study to determine whether they should be closed, but was relieved that most were in federal buildings, including five in the Capitol and House office buildings. She stressed, however, that it is unlikely that all of the postal facilities being reviewed will close. In 2009, the Postal Service did a similar review that included 13 locations in D.C., but none were closed. "I cannot be sure that the outcome will be the same this time because of the growing Postal Service financial crisis," said Norton. "The standard I will insist on is that every community must have easy access to a postal facility. I will oppose any closings in the District, unless postal services are otherwise made available in local retail, federal building, libraries or similar facilities. I am tracking the process in order to try to avoid any surprise results."

Norton said that no closings are imminent here. The timeline for review is long and complicated, ensuring no closings in the foreseeable future. The process includes sending out questionnaires to residents, holding public meetings, issuing notice of a proposed closing with a 60-day public comment period, and significant internal evaluation between each step. Any final decision to close a facility also would be appealable to the Postal Regulatory Commission.