U.S. Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-NJ) plans to reverse unexpected increases to U.S. postal rates that are negatively impacting nonprofits that send care packages to American military members serving overseas.
“Nonprofits play a major role in helping families and friends stay connected with loved ones deployed overseas,” Rep. MacArthur said. “Because of rate hikes, some nonprofits will see a drastic increase in postage costs that will severely limit the number of packages they can afford to ship.”
The Care Packages for Our Heroes Act of 2018, H.R. 6231, which the congressman introduced on June 26, would direct the Postal Regulatory Commission to promulgate regulations establishing postage rates for packages shipped by priority mail from the United States to a foreign Army Post Office (APO), Fleet Post Office (FPO), or Diplomatic Post Office, according to the draft text in the congressional record.
“This bill will reverse the rate increases and force the Postal Service to institute a flat rate for mail sent to an overseas military installation,” Rep. MacArthur said.
The rising rate changes have resulted from consolidations by the United States Postal Service of centers that process APO/FPO military mail. Five centers previously were located around the country, but are now consolidated into a single Chicago facility, according to a July 12 statement from the congressman’s staff.
Subsequently, nonprofits and others that plan to send care packages to U.S. troops overseas must pay the additional domestic postage rate for items now routed from their locations to Chicago and then shipped overseas, according to the statement.
“Care packages provide much-needed basic comforts and a morale boost to our service members,” Rep. MacArthur said. “I see letters all the time from men and women in the Armed Services thanking us for the packages and the continued support. We owe it to our troops to reverse this unexpected decision and continue to allow nonprofits to provide these services.”
The Marlton, N.J.-based nonprofit Operation Yellow Ribbon of South Jersey, located in the congressman’s district, applauded the introduction of H.R. 6231.
“This legislation will ensure that loved ones, family members and military support groups and nonprofits are not impacted by a logistics change to military mail service to overseas military bases,” said Dave Silver, president of Operation Yellow Ribbon of South Jersey. The nonprofit supports U.S. military forces serving in the Middle East and those supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve by sending donated supplies overseas, and via promoting, coordinating and facilitating welcome home events for local veterans in the South Jersey area.
H.R. 6231 has been referred to the U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee for consideration.