Strong Backs Senate PERFORM Act Companion

Alabama's entire congressional delegation is now united behind legislation that would tie the U.S. Postal Service's top executive's bonus pay to the agency's financial health and on-time mail delivery.

U.S. Representative Dale Strong (R-AL-05) welcomed the introduction of the Senate companion to his Postal Executive Responsibility, Fiscal Oversight, and Results-based Management (PERFORM) Act, H.R. 9936. The Senate version was introduced by U.S. Senators Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville.

"Alabamians deserve a Postal Service that delivers their mail on time and a Postmaster General who is accountable for results," Strong said. "With Alabama's entire congressional delegation united behind this effort, we're sending a clear message: it's time for the U.S. Postal Service to deliver."

Strong first introduced the House bill last month, arguing that Postal Service leadership should not receive incentive pay while the agency continues to post multibillion-dollar losses and struggle to meet delivery standards.

"The American people don't get bonuses for failure, and neither should the Postmaster General. The PERFORM Act ends the practice of rewarding poor performance and makes clear that leadership must earn incentive pay by delivering results – not excuses," Strong previously said.

"If the U.S. Postal Service were a private sector operation, it would have filed for bankruptcy years ago. Further, if a CEO's tenure saw an average annual net loss of $10 billion while service standards continued to decline, company leadership would be standing in the unemployment line – not collecting performance bonuses.”

The Postal Service has reported more than $25 billion in net losses over the past three fiscal years, including a $9 billion loss in Fiscal Year 2025. The congressman said delayed mail has affected prescription medications, bills, legal documents, election mail, checks, and other time-sensitive correspondence. Despite those losses, the Postmaster General remains eligible for performance-based bonuses. Strong's office says postal leaders have received more than $2 million in bonuses over the past decade.

Under the PERFORM Act, the Postmaster General would be barred from receiving a performance-based bonus if the Postal Service, during the previous fiscal year:

• Fails to meet nationwide service performance targets;
• Reports a net loss;
• Receives a material weakness, adverse audit opinion, or disclaimer in its financial audit; or
• Fails to submit a required report to Congress.

The House measure drew bipartisan support from Alabama's delegation. Original cosponsors include Reps. Barry Moore (R-AL-01), Shomari Figures (D-AL-02), Mike Rogers (R-AL-03), Robert Aderholt (R-AL-04), Gary Palmer (R-AL-05), and Terri Sewell (D-AL-07).

Strong also highlighted several efforts he has led since taking office to improve postal service in North Alabama, including:

• Securing a U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General audit of mail delivery performance, staffing levels, and operational bottlenecks affecting North Alabama through the Fiscal Year 2027 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act.
• Directing USPS to review ZIP Code designations for communities including Priceville and Skyline to better match municipal boundaries and improve service.
• Advocating for a new post office in the 35763 ZIP Code to serve one of Alabama's fastest-growing areas.
• Leading efforts to restore a North Alabama Processing and Distribution Center to improve mail reliability.

The introduction of the Senate companion bill allows the legislation to advance simultaneously in both chambers of Congress. The measure must still clear committee consideration and pass both the House and Senate before it can be sent to the President for his signature.