Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Schiff) for a colloquy.
Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to express my support for H.R. 22 and for the purpose of engaging the chairman and the gentleman in a brief colloquy.
H.R. 22 is long overdue and goes a long way towards ensuring the future competitiveness and viability of the U.S. Post Office. I am proud to cosponsor this important piece of legislation, and I encourage my colleagues to support its passage.
One issue of concern to me, however, has to do with the consolidation and realignment of postal facilities. I believe it is critical that Congress and the U.S. Postal Service understand that the closing of a postal facility has a great impact on its local community. I remain concerned that the U.S. Postal Service's realignment and consolidation plan may not fully take into account all of the costs associated with each individual facility impacted by such a plan.
Clearly, there are benefits to the consolidation and realignment of postal operations, but I rise today to ask the chairman and the ranking member and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) for their support in working with the Postal Service to make sure that all impacts are taken into account, not just those that are fiscal in nature. It is critical that Congress understands the closing of a postal facility has a very great impact on its local community.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?
Mr. SCHIFF. I yield to the gentleman from Illinois.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the gentleman's desire to see that the Postal Service takes into account the impact on local communities. I share his desire for a comprehensive evaluation of all issues regarding the realignment and consolidation of postal facilities, including individual impact on our local communities.
Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?
Mr. SCHIFF. I yield to the gentleman from Virginia.
Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from California for his support of this legislation and his efforts. I think it is important, as he points out, that all of these different impacts are taken into account when the Postal Service undertakes the realignment and consolidation of postal facilities. I look forward to working with him and the Postal Service as these unfold.