WASHINGTON, D.C - Today, the U.S. Senate completed a series of votes on amendments to the 21^st Century Postal Service Act of 2012 (S.1789), which included five amendments introduced by Sen. Rand Paul. Of his five amendments, two were agreed to.

The first successful amendment, No. 2027, requires the consolidation of U.S. Capitol complex post offices by the U.S. Postal Service, reducing the current number of offices (seven) to two - one in the House of Representatives and one in the Senate.

"Successful reform of the Postal Service requires a shared sacrifice, and the U.S. Congress should not be immune to this while communities across the country are faced with potential post office closings," Sen. Paul said.

The second successful amendment, No. 2029, requires a report on Congressional interference in the Postal Service and how it hinders the Postal Service from operating efficiently and profitably. This report is in addition to a requirement in S.1789 that calls on the Postal Service to submit to Congress a plan for becoming profitable by 2015 and ensuring long-term financial stability.

"The U.S. Congress is not here to run a business - and it should not with the potential profitability of a business like the Postal Service. This additional report would outline the Congressional and regulatory burdens currently placed on the Postal Service, and provide a solution for Congress to help - not hinder - its operability and profitability," he continued.

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