Government affairs

Legislative Updates

Senate Committee advances Postal Regulatory Commission nominee

Tonight, during a lame-duck business meeting, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) advanced the nomination of Michael Kubayanda to the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) for the remainder of a six-year term expiring November 22, 2020. His nomination for the post was submitted to the Senate by the White House on June 6, 2018.

Mr. Kubayanda currently serves as a board member and privacy officer for a digital health startup. He previously worked with the USPS Office of Inspector General (OIG), ending as director of government relations. Prior to the OIG, he served as counsel to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

As letter carriers know, the PRC is the independent body that exercises regulatory oversight over USPS and its responsibilities include preventing anticompetitive practices, promoting accountability, adjudicating complaints, setting postal rates and helping oversee delivery service standards. Composed of five commissioners, with no more than three of the same party, each commissioner is nominated for a six-year term of office and confirmed by the Senate. The PRC currently has four sitting members with one vacancy.

Following committee passage today, Mr. Kubayanda is expected to advance through the Senate by a floor vote or by unanimous consent, a process by which the Senate may “hotline” a nominee or bundle of nominees to confirmation assuming there are no objections raised.

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