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Don’t Let a Lame Duck Congress Pass Meeting Prohibition
Postal Reform Amendment Could Be Slipped into Legislation
AOC is joining many other associations in asking members to contact their members of Congress on a topic that is incredibly important to the association. Please take just a minute to send a quick email to your members of Congress asking them to remove the provision that would allow federal agencies to attend only one association meeting per year.
According to The Hill newspaper, members of Congress are having advanced discussions to quickly pass a bill that would reform the postal service, due to its serious financial issues. However, the amendment that would allow federal agencies to attend only one association meeting per year and other onerous requirements (SA 2060) is contained in S. 1789, the 21st Century Postal Reform Act, which was passed by the Senate in April. If Congress rushes to pass postal reform by the end of the year, they could simply pass the amendment without removing this provision.
Association educational meetings and conventions make tangible contributions to national, state and local economies. From AOC's International Symposium & Convention, to local AOC Chapter meetings, all associations bring their members together for continuing education, networking and learning best practices. With their focus on professional development and training, associations host a wide range of meetings, seminars, conventions, trade shows and other events in cities across the United States and abroad.
Despite the gains that have been made in educating members of Congress on the harm SA 2060 would have on professional associations – and the public good overall – the rushed nature of postal reform could allow the provision to pass in the waning days of the 112th Congress.
We need all AOC members to act today to prevent Congress from simply including this amendment (SA 2060) either intentionally or unintentionally during the postal reform negotiations.
Please follow these links to find the email addresses for your:
• Congressional representative – http://m.house.gov/representatives/
• Senators – http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
