Dan Newhouse (R-WA)
United States Postal Service Shipping Equity Act
A Republican bill with 17 Democratic cosponsors · See all 19 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The United States Postal Service Shipping Equity Act aims to amend title 18 and title 39 of the United States Code. This legislation would provide the United States Postal Service with the authority to mail alcoholic beverages. The bill establishes specific regulations for mailable alcoholic beverages, including requirements for delivery and age verification. It defines what constitutes a covered entity and provides a framework for how these shipments should be handled. Finally, the bill addresses the legal liability of the Postal Service regarding state, local, or tribal laws.
Yes· 3 of 11
- Scored +3
Would business owners be better off under this?
Business owners, especially those in the alcohol industry, could see increased sales and market access.
- Scored +3
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The bill will help small businesses by allowing them to ship their products through USPS.
- Scored +2
Would farmers be better off under this?
Farmers who produce alcoholic beverages (e.g., wineries) will benefit from increased shipping options.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Mailing Authority for Entities: The bill allows covered entities, such as wineries, breweries, and distributors, to mail alcoholic beverages through the Postal Service (Section 2(b)(3)(B)).
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Direct Delivery Standards: The bill allows for the establishment of a means to ensure direct delivery to an addressee or their authorized agent at a postal facility (Section 2(b)(2)(A)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Age and Identification Requirements: Individuals receiving these shipments must be at least 21 years of age and are required to present a valid, Government-issued photo identification at the time of delivery (Section 2(b)(2)(B)).
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Restrictions on Use: The alcoholic beverages being mailed may not be used for resale or other commercial purposes (Section 2(b)(2)(C)).
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Potential Legal and Regulatory Burdens: Covered entities must go through a registration process with the Postal Service and may be required to provide additional information, such as affirmation regarding the prepayment of State alcohol beverage taxes (Section 2(b)(2)(D)).
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Compliance with Local Laws: This bill does not override any State, local, or Tribal laws that prohibit or regulate the delivery, shipment, or sale of alcoholic beverages (Section 2(d)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Business owners, especially those in the alcohol industry, could see increased sales and market access. Would farmers be better off under this? — Farmers who produce alcoholic beverages (e.g., wineries) will benefit from increased shipping options. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Middle-aged adults of legal drinking age would have increased access to alcoholic beverages. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Rural residents may have increased access to a variety of alcoholic beverages with the passage of this bill. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Seniors of legal drinking age would have increased access to alcoholic beverages. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Young adults of legal drinking age would have increased access to alcoholic beverages.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill will help small businesses by allowing them to ship their products through USPS. Is this likely to grow the economy? — The bill may improve economic growth by allowing wineries, breweries, and distilleries to ship products through the USPS. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill may increase jobs in the alcohol production and shipping industries. Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill includes provisions to prevent alcohol sales to minors and illegal resales, improving consumer protection.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make it easier to do business across state lines? — The bill could improve interstate commerce by allowing alcohol to be shipped across state lines.
- 9/10/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/2/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/3/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/29/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/23/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/12/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/11/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/4/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/30/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/5/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/21/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 11/19/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/24/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/17/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/18/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/5/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/25/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 4/24/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Emanuel CleaverDemocrat · Missouri
Diana DeGetteDemocrat · Colorado
Mike EzellRepublican · Mississippi
Maxwell FrostDemocrat · Florida
Steven HorsfordDemocrat · Nevada
Pramila JayapalDemocrat · Washington
Timothy KennedyDemocrat · New York
Summer LeeDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Johnny OlszewskiDemocrat · Maryland
Josh RileyDemocrat · New York
Thomas SuozziDemocrat · New York
W. SteubeRepublican · Florida
Hillary ScholtenDemocrat · Michigan
Suhas SubramanyamDemocrat · Virginia
Dina TitusDemocrat · Nevada
Paul TonkoDemocrat · New York
Shri ThanedarDemocrat · Michigan
Frederica WilsonDemocrat · Florida