Door to Door Mail Service Disappearing

Is door-to-door mail service from the Postal Service disappearing? A committee has recently approved changes that could end such deliveries for millions of people.

If this proposal is adopted, Americans all over the country who currently have mail delivered to their house will need to pick it up at local drop-off boxes. Clusters of these would be located at common points along streets.

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee approved the changes by a margin of 18 to 13. This was largely a party-line vote, with Republicans in favor of the measure.

Darrell Issa, a Republican lawmaker from California, said he believes the idea “provides an interim opportunity to achieve some significant cost savings.”

The committee estimates the move could save government as much as two billion dollars each year.

A total of 15 million addresses could be affected by the proposed ruling. People with physical challenges would be given a waiver, and provided with home delivery. Residents who wished to continue traditional service will be able to pay an extra fee for the convenience.

Massachusetts Representative Stephen Lynch said “I think its a lousy idea.”

The United States Postal Service reports losing $1.9 billion dollars so far in 2014. This is despite higher revenues, and increased productivity. Officials blame their losses on a reduction of first-class letters, due to the popularity of email.