During the Capitol Hill conference, NNA President Dan Phillips awarded Rep. McHugh the newspaper association’s top honor for his efforts to keep postage costs down, the quality of service up, and to ensure punctual delivery of community newspapers.  In addition, Senator Daschle hailed Rep. McHugh’s efforts while speaking at the newspaper group’s conference.
“I hope the House will act on H.R. 22 soon,” Senator Daschle said.  “If Congress fails to pass H.R. 22 this year, not only will we have to start all over again next year, but Chairman McHugh, who has worked on this issue for years and is the leading advocate for reform, will no longer be chairman of the House Subcommittee on the Postal Service.  That could slow momentum.”

“Too many people have worked too hard for too many years to get us to the point where we are now.  We can’t squander this opportunity.  Now that we’ve finally got a balanced bill, we need to pass it.  This year,” Senator Daschle said.

In welcoming Senator Daschle’s support for H.R. 22, Rep. McHugh said, “I am delighted to learn of Senator Daschle’s comments about my postal reform legislation.  Bipartisan support is essential to the bill’s success.  The bill is clearly gaining momentum.  I am hopeful the House will be sending the Senate a bipartisan postal reform bill for consideration this year.  After all, the long term viability of our postal system is at stake.”

In accepting the NNA award, Rep. McHugh said, “It is a great honor to receive such recognition.  The National Newspaper Association has been particularly helpful in building support for postal reform and generating the momentum we need to pass this important piece of legislation.  I cannot thank NNA enough for this award and their tireless work on this issue.”

H.R. 22 is designed to reform and modernize our nation’s postal laws to help the Postal Service adapt to the changing communications marketplace.  The bill would provide the Postal Service with the tools necessary to operate while protecting the public interest by ensuring that universal mail service continues at affordable rates.  The bill also provides protection to the Postal Service’s competitors by prohibiting the agency from unfairly using its government status for competitive advantage. 

The Postal Service Subcommittee approved H.R. 22 by voice vote on April 29, 1999.  The bill is currently pending before the Government Reform Committee.  Detailed information and a summary of the bill can be obtained from the Subcommittee’s website:
(http://www.house.gov/reform/postal/hearings/hr22.htm).