[WASHINGTON, DC] – With the United States Postal Service (USPS) proposing the elimination of Saturday deliveries and other threats to the speedy delivery that consumers around the country rely on, Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) late last week introduced the Postmark Payment Act of 2014 to protect Americans from being charged late fees stemming from delayed USPS deliveries. Just as the Internal Revenue Service accepts tax returns based on postmark date, the Congressman’s legislation would ensure that, for any payment made through the USPS, companies accept postmarks instead of receipt date when processing the payment.

“‘Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night’ stops USPS mail carriers from delivering our mail–usually within just a day or two,” said Congressman Cohen. “Weather like this makes us realize just how hard those jobs are, but the Postal Service faces significant challenges to stave off delays and price increases. Citizens around the country including seniors and those living at or near the poverty line rely on speedy delivery by the Postal Service to pay their bills. They didn’t cause these problems, and they shouldn’t be punished for them. My bill will hold companies to the same standard used by the IRS, protect consumers from late fees stemming from delayed USPS service, and help Americans save money.”

Before returning to Memphis at the end of last week, Congressman Cohen also introduced the Expanding Nonpostal Services to Americans Act to help the USPS address its budget deficit without additional service cuts or price increases. The legislation would lift the ban on the Postal Service offering non-postal services including check cashing, public internet, and notary services.