NAPS Chat

Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI), co-chair of the Congressional Postal Caucus,  joins Bob to discuss the activities of the bipartisan panel and the importance of a universal, accessible, and affordable national postal system. The congressman and Bob also discuss postal accountability. Finally, in recognition of Memorial Day, Rep. Bergman, a retired Marine Corps Lieutenant General, reflects on how mail connects members of the armed forces deployed overseas with their family and friends back home.  

Elena Patel, Co-Director of the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center and Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institute, joins Bob to discuss the extraordinary economic impact the Postal Service has on rural and postal-reliant communities, as well as the importance of the agency's universal service obligation to the entire country. Elena and Bob also talk about the difficulty the Postal Service has in effectively meeting this obligation in light of its current financial pressures, and potential fixes. Dr. Patel has recently authored two scholarly papers on the Postal Service.  

At the 2026 NAPS Legislative Conference, in Washington, NAPS bestowed it annual Gold Standard for Legislative Leadership Award to former New Jersey Legislative Chair George Barrett. George joins Bob to discuss his tactics and strategies to maximize his opportunities to promote the interests of EAS level postal employees and retirees. Also, George shares his "tricks of the trade" and reflects on memorable congressional engagements he had during his career. In addition, Bob summarizes recent actions taken by the Postal Board of Governors and the Postal Regulatory Commission relating to the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). 

National Association of Letter Carriers President Brian Renfroe joins Bob to discuss the postal outlook from the perspective of the nation's largest postal union. Brian and Bob talk about the the necessity for unity among postal stakeholders to confront the daunting challenges confronting the USPS, as well as the steadfast commitment the community must have to ensure the agency's public service obligations are not jettisoned. They also talk about the recent House postal hearings, postal finances and the recent nomination of 3 individuals to the Postal Board of Governors.  

NAPS President Ivan Butts, joins Bob to discuss the late-breaking postal news that includes the USPS' hiring of a restructuring and "turnaround" consultant and the nomination of three new individuals to the Postal Board of Governors. In addition, Ivan and Bob talk about the upcoming NAPS legislative conference in Washington and the recent Congressional Postal Caucus round table, at which Ivan participated. Ivan also recounts his legacy as NAPS President, highlighting his success in securing a 20% increase in the median pay for EAS level postal employees and the soon-to-be operational NAPS Training Academy.