NAPS Chat

Bob reflects on the legacy of late Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and provide an update on NAPS' fight to protect postal benefits from congressional attacks on them. In addition, Bob provides an update on USPS governance changes.

National Association of Active and Retired Employees (NARFE) Vice President for Policy and Programs Vice President John Hatton joins Bob to discuss the recent budget attacks on the postal and federal employee community, and effective strategies to protect the benefits. John and Bob talk about the "budget reconciliation process" and legislation the House Oversight and Accountability Committee approved at its April 30 meeting, which advances $50.1 billion in federal benefit cuts. In addition, Bob references the imminent announcement of a new Postmaster General.

Recorded live at the 2025 NAPS Legislative Training Seminar, in Washington, American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Legislative Representative Dr. Keith Abouchar joins Bob to discuss the importance of building and sustaining effective advocacy coalitions in the the legislative process. In addition, Keith and Bob talk about the current attacks against postal and federal employee benefits and what to expect.

National Association of Postal Supervisors Executive Vice President Chuck Mulidore joins Bob to discuss the upcoming 2025 NAPS Legislative Training Seminar (LTS) and its associated Legislative Rally, to be held on April 8, on the West Front Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Chuck explains how this year's visit to Washington is unlike any visit in recent memory and what NAPS has planned to meet these consequential times.

American Enterprise Institute (AEI) Senior Fellow Dr. Kevin Kosar joins Bob to discuss press reports that President Trump plans to takeover the U.S. Postal Service by firing its Board of Governors, and folding its governance and operations into the Department of Commerce. Newly confirmed Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has expressed interest in "privatizing" the USPS. Kevin is the AEI's resident expert on Congress, the administrative state, American politics and the Postal Service.

Rep. George Latimer (D-NY) joins Bob to discuss the beginning of the 119th Congress, freshman orientation, his transition from elected local office to federal office, his expectations for the year, and his views relating to the U.S. Postal Service. In addition, Bob shares news relating to imminent attacks on postal health and retirement benefits though the congressional budget process.

In the holiday spirit, NAPS Branch 32 (Mid-Tennessee) President Robert Wakefield joins Bob to discuss the history of holiday greeting cards and postage stamps. In addition, Robert and Bob commiserate about correspondence that was sent during the time of the first Christmas and before.  In addition, Bob provides an end-of-year accounting of successful legislation to repeal the government pension offset and windfall elimination provision; changes on the two congressional committees with jurisdiction over the USPS; the emerging threat of postal privatization; and the failure of the Senate to confirm four nominees to the USPS Board of Governors. 

Recorded at the National Press Club, Federal News Network Reporter Jory Heckman and Bob Levi review the Postmaster General's recent interaction with the House and Senate at recent congressional hearings, as well as the Postal Regulatory Commission's ongoing assessment of the Delivering for America plan. Jory and Bob also discuss how Trump Administration and changes in Congress may impact the Postal Service. In addition, they talk about the just-uncovered unmet contract goals for the deployment of electric USPS delivery vehicles. 

Last month on NAPS Chat, USPS' Karla Kirby talked about the Postal Service Health Benefits Program (PSHBP) and what to expect. Karla referenced the USPS' partnership with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) in implementing the new health program. On this episode, OPM Manager of Outreach and Program Services Jay Fritz joins Bob to discuss the just commenced PSHBP open season, program changes, premiums, benefits and the available tools to make health plan decisions. 

National Association of Postal Supervisors Executive Vice President Chuck Mulidore joins Bob to discuss the NAPS activities surrounding the consequential 2024 general elections.  Chuck and Bob talk about the historic investment the Supervisors Political Action Committee (SPAC) has made for this election cycle, as well as the impact postal supervisors, postal managers and postmasters will have in setting the legislative agenda for 2025 on postal issues.

Karla Kirby, executive director of the new Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) program, joins Bob to discuss the inaugural "open season" of the program for postal employees and annuitants. Karla and Bob talk about the differing roles the USPS and the Office of Personnel Management have played, will continue to play in the implementation of the PSHB program, and what participants should anticipate.

Carrie Villar, director of curatorial affairs at the National Postal Museum joins Bob to discuss America's tradition of using the U.S. Postal Service to accept, transport and deliver election ballots. The is a history dating back to the Civil War. Coincidentally, on September 27, Postmaster General DeJoy testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, in part, to assure American voters that they should be confident in the Postal Service's vote by mail efforts. The subcommittee is chaired by Rep. David Joyce (R-OH).

Rep. Garrett Graves joins Bob to discuss his effort to force a House vote on H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act. Rep. Graves talks about his bipartisan work with Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) to finally address the unfair Social Security treatment suffered by millions of Americans who either worked for federal, state and  local governments, or are their dependents. Rep. Graves commended NAPS for prioritizing this issue and for waging a multi-pronged legislative campaign to secure the signatures of at least 218 members of the House to sign a discharge petition to bring H.R. 82 to a floor vote. You can join this campaign by linking to the campaign here. Bob also briefly talks about a Postal Service-hosted technical conference on the Delivering for America plan, which is a prerequisite for its request for an Postal Regulatory Commission Advisory Opinion on the plan.

Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) member Ashley Poling joins Bob at the NAPS' 69th Biennial National Convention to discuss how the PRC is casting much-needed illumination on the impact recent operational changes implemented by the Postal Service is having on the nation and on postal-reliant American citizens. In addition, Ashley and Bob talk about pending congressional legislation to provide the PRC with greater authority to ensure that the American public and the mailing community receive the mail service they expect and deserve.

As Congress approached its summer recess, congressional and regulatory concern over the Postal Service executive leadership's "Delivering for America" juggernaut grew. NAPS Legislative & Political Director Bob Levi discusses legislation and Senate confirmation hearings reflecting this reality and this gives voice to the American public's concerns. In addition, President Biden nominated two members to the USPS Board of Governors, one new and one who termed-out last year. Finally, the Supreme Court issued two decisions this past court term that may have implications for the Postal Service.

In honor of Independence Day, NAPS Chat continues its tradition of exploring our consequential postal past. Newly appointed US Postal Service Historian Steve Kochersperger joins Bob to discuss one of our more compelling postmaster generals, John "AJ" Creswell. Creswell, who served as PMG during post-Civil War Reconstruction, began to integrate the postal workforce, improved postal performance, reduced expenses, took on Congress, and introduced new postal products and innovations.  

Frank McCarthy, Founder and Principal of McCarthy Advanced Consulting (MAC) joins Bob to discuss his approach in representing multi-clients before Congress. Frank's advocacy operation generally lobbies on behalf of labor unions, primarily before Republican members of the House and Senate. Frank and Bob talk about the difference in promoting interest before Republican, Democratic and Independent members of Congress, and about coalition building. Bob also provides a short update relating to Congressional activities relating the so-called Delivering for America plan, including legislative language in a committee report accompanying the "Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Services and General Government Appropriation Bill."

Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) Chairman Michael Kubayanda joins Bob to discuss last month's Senate oversight hearing on the Postal Service, as well as the Commission's  regulatory activities relating the Postal Service's "Delivering for America" plan. As part of their conversation, Mike and Bob talk about the PRC's insistence that the USPS request a PRC Advisory Opinion on the plan. On May 16, about 3 hours after the episode taped, the USPS filed its refusal to make such a request at this time.

Federal News Network Reporter Jory Heckman joins Bob to discuss the April 16, 2024, Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee postal oversight hearing, at which Postmaster General DeJoy, USPS Board of Governors Chair Martinez, PRC Chair Kubayanda and Postal IG Hull testified about the implementation of the "Delivering for America" plan. The committee focused on the impact that plan had on postal performance and finances. Jory covers the "postal beat" for the Federal News Network, which is picked up nationwide.   On behalf of the approximately 47,000 postal supervisors, supervisors and postmasters represented by NAPS, NAPS President Ivan Butts provided testimony that was included for the record. 

NAPS Executive Vice President Chuck Mulidore joins Bob to talk about the recently concluded 2024 NAPS Legislative Training Seminar and Lobbying Days on Capitol Hill. Chuck and Bob discuss the new legislative tools deployed at the conference, issues that members of Congress brought to the attention of NAPS activists, and a critical Postal Inspector General Audit Report relating to the establishment of a new regional processing and distribution center in Richmond, VA.

Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), senior member of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, joins Bob to talk about the current state of the U.S. Postal Service, as we approach the second anniversary of the Postal Reform Act's enactment into law. At the time of the legislation's development and enactment, Rep. Connolly served as chairman of the Subcommittee on Government Operations, the panel with jurisdiction over the Postal Service. The congressman and Bob discuss postal performance and accountability, and what's the next step to ensure the agency remains vital.

Dr. Kevin Kosar, Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), joins Bob at the 2024 NAPS Legislative Training Seminar. The chat, which was recorded live before approximately 500 NAPS legislative advocates attending the Washington legislative conference, covered the importance of measuring postal performance, the necessity of constructive congressional oversight of the Postal Service, the Postal Service's transition to package delivery, and the new-reality of the Postal Service being "mostly" self-sustaining. Dr. Kosar, in addition to being a scholar at the AEI, was formerly the Congressional Research Service's resident expert on the Postal Service.

Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-MD), ranking member of the House Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce, joins Bob to discuss the role of Congressional oversight in USPS operations, his postal priorities and how the Postal Service is viewed by his colleagues.

Former member of Congress Connie Morella (R-MD) joins Bob to reminisce about the days during which the House of Representatives acted with civility and labored on legislation important to the federal and postal workforce. During her 8 terms in Congress, Rep. Morella served on the House Postal Office and Civil Service Committee, and its successor, the House Committee on Government Reform. As a member of these two committees, Connie championed the interests of the postal and federal community.

Freshman member of Congress Nikki Budzinski (D-IL) joins Bob to reflect on her first year in the House of Representatives and to share her views on a number of postal and federal employee-related issues. In addition, Rep. Budzinski discusses her past experience in the labor movement and as a member of the Biden White House. 

On this, the 200th episode of NAPS Chat, National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) Staff Vice President for Policy and Programs John Hatton joins Bob to discuss crucial challenges and potential  legislation relating to postal and retiree benefits in 2024. Also, Bob touches upon postal first-class on time performance during the current peak mail season, and congressional and regulatory reaction to it.

National Association of Postal Supervisors Executive Vice President Chuck Mulidore joins Bob to discuss important legislative and Postal Service operational issues that deeply concern key members of Congress. Among the items discussed is legislation introduced by Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which strives to better protect postal employees from escalating assaults while delivering the mail and to safeguard postal assets. In addition, Bob and Chuck talk about mounting congressional and USPS Board of Governors' concern about falling on-time first-class mail performance across the nation, testimony offered to the House Ways and Means Committee by former NAPS President Louis Atkins and current NAPS Auxiliary Secretary Treasurer Bonita Atkins regarding the Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset, and the upcoming 2024 NAPS legislative conference in Washington.

The "open season" for choosing a Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan (FEHBP) option runs from November 13 thru December 12. The choices are numerous and stakes are high. For the fifth year in a row, Bob is being joined by Jay Fritz, the Office of Personnel Management executive tasked with coordinating the FEHBP open season. Jay and Bob discuss what's new for active and retired postal and federal employees in the FEHBP environment. In addition, they discuss what's driving premium increases and benefit changes.

A few weeks ago, Mark Action left the Postal Regulatory Commission with two decades of engagement with the postal community under his belt. Over a cup of coffee at local Washington, DC, coffee house, Mark shares with Bob his reflections about serving on the PRC and the agency's importance to ensure transparency, accountability and performance.

It appeared that the Statute of Freedom, which is sits atop the Capitol, needed scaffolding to stabilize it in the wake of the U.S. House of Representatives' shutdown, resulting from the removal of Rep. Kevin McCarthy as Speaker. During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Bob discusses the “House shutdown,” the overwhelming passage of a temporary government funding bill that sealed McCarthy's fate, Senate confirmation of Robert Taub and Thomas Day to the Postal Regulatory Commission, a recent Postal Inspector General report on mail theft, and two pending U.S. Supreme Court cases that may have implications for the Postal Service, as well as other federal agencies.

During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Smithsonian Institution Postal Museum Curator Lynn Heidelbaugh joins Bob to talk about U.S. mail transportation. One of the major components of the Delivering for American Plan is shifting from air transport to ground movement of letters and packages. Moving the Mail, is an ongoing exhibit at the National Postal Museum, which traces the evolution of mail transport. So, it would instructive to examine the reasons for different modes of mail movement. In addition, Bob talks about the nomination of former USPS Senior Vice President of Government Relations Thomas Day to the Postal Regulatory Commission and his recent confirmation hearing.

During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Government Executive columnist and founder of "Retire Federal" Tammy Flanagan joins Bob to talk about the growing number of USPS retirees who seek post-retirement employment. Tammy and Bob talk about issues that such retirees ought to consider when embarking on an "encore career."  Bob also shares news relating to the September 7 Senate confirmation hearing of PRC Commissioner Robert Taub, and regulatory updates relating to the Delivering for America plan

During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Association for Postal Commerce Michael Plunkett  joins Bob to talk about the role that PostCom plays in the postal space, and the current state of postal finances and operations.

During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, NAPS Executive Vice President Chuck Mulidore joins Bob to talk about the National Association of Postal Supervisors' Disciplinary Defense Fund and how this "insurance policy" protects the interests of postal supervisors, managers and postmasters.

During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Rep. Pete Session, chairman of the House Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce joins Bob to talk about his perspective on Postal Service operations and his role as chairman of the subcommittee having jurisdiction over the agency. In part, Chairman Sessions reflects on his recent oversight hearing, at which Postmaster General Louis DeJoy testified.

During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) Member Ann Fisher joins Bob to talk about the importance of U.S. Postal Service transparency and accountability, and how the PRC plays a constructive and necessary role in striving to meet those dual goals. Ann and Bob also discuss the different tools the PRC has as its disposal to cast light on particular aspects of postal finances and operations.

During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Joy Sazone, Research Specialist at the Postal Service Office of Inspector General (OIG), talks with Bob about a recently issued OIG "White Paper" on the investment of Postal Service pension funds. Joy was the lead author of the White Paper. In part, the paper suggests that had past CSRS and FERS contributions been invested in stock and bond index funds, the value of the USPS and employee contributions would have grown to $1.2 trillion, rather than the current balance of $298 billion. Under current law, CSRS and FERS contributions must be invested in low-yield U.S. Treasury securities. Joy and Bob discuss the implications of a change in investment strategy.

During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Bob Levi discusses the imminent introduction of a Senate companion to H.R. 3005, the Postal Police Reform Act, by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Richard Durbin (D-IL); the May 17 House Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce hearing, at which Postmaster General DeJoy testified; and the Postal Regulatory Commission's ongoing "Public Inquiry" into the USPS Sorting and Processing Center initiative.

During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Karla Kirby, the U.S. Postal Service's Executive Manager for the Postal Service Health Benefits Program, joins Bob Levi to discuss the new postal health program, which will be effective  January 1, 2025. Karla and Bob discuss the status of the emerging program, its implementation, collaborative efforts to educate USPS employees and retirees about it, and what to expect as the plan rolls out.

During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, NAPS Executive Vice President Chuck Mulidore joins Bob Levi to discuss the recently concluded NAPS legislative conference in Washington, DC. Chuck and Bob discuss how conference attendees assessed the different elements of the 2023 NAPS Legislative Training Seminar, congressional engagement, and how NAPS fared on Capitol Hill. 

During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Frank Albergo, president of the Postal Police Officers Association, joins Bob Levi to discuss the postal crime wave and how to reduce it. The escalation in postal-related crime, including assaults on USPS personnel, mail theft and mail fraud, concurrent with the 2020 USPS operational change to limit the law enforcement authority of postal police to the perimeter of USPS-occupied property, raises questions about the agency's commitment to employee safety and mail security. Postal police are the uniformed members of the Postal Inspection Service, the nation's oldest law enforcement entity.

During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Nick Reaves of Yale Law School's Free Exercise Clinic joins Bob Levi to discuss an upcoming U.S. Supreme Court, Groff v. DeJoy. The case involves the allegation the USPS failed to accommodate the religious beliefs of one of its employees. On behalf of Yale, Nick filed a "friend of the court brief" in support of former Rural Carrier Associate Gerald Groff, whose strict religious practice of not working on Sundays, his Sabbath, conflicted with the delivery of Amazon packages. Groff was disciplined for not showing up for work on Sundays. Nick and Bob discuss how religious observance and the Postal Service's unique mission may be calibrated. The Supreme Court will hear the case on Tuesday, April 18, and can be heard here.

During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, National Association of Postal Supervisors Executive Vice President Chuck Mulidore joins Bob to discuss some early congressional activity relating to the social security equity for many Civil Service Retirement System annuitants; the effect the commencement of collective-bargaining between the NALC and USPS will have on impending pay talks of supervisors, managers, and postmasters, and legislation to provide fairness to these pay talks; the potential threat to the $3 billion provided to the USPS for delivery fleet modernization; and the upcoming NAPS legislative conference in Washington, DC.

During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, leading members of the California Postal Legislative Coalition join Bob to discuss a variety of issues that impact active and retired postal employees. The participants include: Marilyn Walton, Mary DiGoia and Kathryn Rahming of NAPS, Ron Jones of the NALC, Garry Davis of the APWU, and Clarice Golden on UPMA. The CA Postal Legislative Coalition is a 25-year old alliance of union and management organizations representing the interests of CA postal employees and retirees.

During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Dr. Kevin Kosar, Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, joins Bob Levi to discuss the chaotic opening act of the 118th Congress, American confidence in the U.S. Postal Service and the agency's challenges. Dr. Kosar as been a periodic guest on NAPS Chat. During Kevin's tenure at the Congressional Research Service, he was its resident expert on the Postal Service.

During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, American University Constitutional Law Professor, Stephen Wermiel, joins Bob Levi to discuss the historical context of the U.S. Postal Service being deployed as the nation's morality police. This issue has emerged from the shadows as the result of the U.S. Department of Justice's recent memorandum declaring that mailing prescription medication that may terminate a pregnancy does not violate the 1873 Comstock Act.

During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, NAPS Director of Legislative & Political Affairs Director reflects on the first days of the 118th Congress and its lasting impact on the postal employee community.

During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, Karen Young, the publisher of the National Association of Postal Supervisors monthly magazine invites Bob Levi to reflect on this past year's legislative and political news, and expectations for next year.

During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, National Association of Postal Supervisors Michiana (Michigan-Indiana) Area Vice President Kevin Trayer, joins Bob Levi to discuss his efforts to alert federal and local elected officials, and impacted communities, about the USPS' ongoing sorting and delivery center consolidation initiative. Bob also provides an update on the Democratic candidates aspiring to become the ranking member of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, as well as end-year government funding legislation.

During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, National Association of Postal Supervisors Director of Legislative & Political Affairs Bob Levi talks a bit about his recent visit to Israel, as well as congressional "lame duck" matters, including mail theft suffered by Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), a congressional resolution of inquiry relating to the USPS Postal Inspection Service, budget options submitted to Congress by the Congressional Budget Office relating to postal and federal employee benefits, and the Georgia run-off election.

During this week's episode of NAPS Chat, National Association of Postal Supervisors Executive Vice President Chuck Mulidore, joins Bob Levi to discuss the outcome of the 2022 congressional midterm elections and its impact on NAPS members, the November USPS Board of Governors meeting and the recent House postal oversight hearings.