Gerald Connolly (D-VA)
Mail Traffic Deaths Reporting Act of 2025
A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
In the other chamber's committee
Passed one chamber and has been handed to a committee in the other.
The committee decides whether it goes any further, and most bills that reach a committee never leave it. A committee that simply does nothing kills a bill without anyone ever voting against it, so no news from here is usually the news.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed House 402–16
- In Senate committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Mail Traffic Deaths Reporting Act of 2025," directs the United States Postal Service to track and report traffic crashes involving mail transport. It requires Postal Service employees and contractors to report crashes resulting in injury or death within three days. The Postmaster General must establish regulations for this collection, tracking, and public reporting. The Postal Service will maintain an internal digital database of these incidents. Additionally, the agency must publish an annual public report containing statistics and trends. The act also establishes penalties for contractors who fail to meet these reporting requirements.
Yes
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill requires the Postmaster General to publish an annual report containing aggregated statistics and trends regarding mail-related traffic deaths and injuries.
- Scored +2
Would union members be better off under this?
The bill provides flexibility for employees to submit crash reports under alternative deadlines if they suffer serious injuries.
The opposite
- Scored -3
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The bill imposes potential fines, contract suspensions, or terminations on contractors who fail to meet strict reporting deadlines.
- Scored -3
Would business owners be better off under this?
Contractors face financial risks and the potential loss of contracts if they fail to comply with the new reporting mandates.
What Congress actually voted on
One recorded vote has been taken on this bill.
- The House: a fast-track vote, needing two-thirds to pass The House sets aside its normal procedure to move quickly: no amendments, little debate, and a two-thirds bar instead of a simple majority. It is used for measures expected to be uncontroversial, so a bill that fails here failed despite broad expectations that it would not. Passed 402 yes · 16 no
03/03/2025 · Roll call 55 · recorded as “On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass”
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Transparency and Accountability: The Postmaster General is required to create regulations for the collection, tracking, and public reporting of information regarding deaths and injuries from mail vehicle crashes (Section 2(a)). Furthermore, the Postal Service must release an annual report with statistics and trends to enhance transparency (Section 2(d)(2)).
-
Protection of Personal Privacy: While the annual report is made available to the public, the law requires that the information be provided in a way that does not personally identify any Postal Service employee, contractor, or other individual (Section 2(d)(3)).
-
Flexibility for Injured Workers: The bill establishes procedures that allow for alternative reporting deadlines if an employee or contractor is unable to submit a report within the standard timeframe due to a serious injury resulting from the crash (Section 2(b)(4)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Financial and Operational Burdens for Contractors: Contractors who fail to report a crash within the three-day deadline are subject to penalties determined by the Postal Service, which may include fines, suspension of contracts, or termination of contracts (Section 2(e)).
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Reporting Requirements for Employees and Contractors: Employees and contractors involved in a crash that results in injury or death must submit a report including specific details such as date, time, location, nature of the crash, and contributing factors (Section 2(b)(3)).
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.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the Postmaster General to publish an annual report containing aggregated statistics and trends regarding mail-related traffic deaths and injuries.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill imposes potential fines, contract suspensions, or terminations on contractors who fail to meet strict reporting deadlines.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would union members be better off under this? — The bill provides flexibility for employees to submit crash reports under alternative deadlines if they suffer serious injuries. Would business owners be better off under this? — Contractors face financial risks and the potential loss of contracts if they fail to comply with the new reporting mandates.
- 3/4/2025
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 3/3/2025
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 402 - 16 (Roll no. 55). (text: CR H933-934)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 402 - 16 (Roll no. 55). (text: CR H933-934)
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H938-939)
- At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 758.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H933-935)
- Mr. Comer moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 2/21/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/14/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/28/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
James ComerRepublican · Kentucky
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan