The DMA Applauds House on Postal Bill Vote

WASHINGTON, July 27, 2005 – The Direct Marketing Association (The DMA) offered congratulations to members of the U.S. House of Representatives who passed postal reform legislation (H.R. 22) last night in a floor vote of 410 to 20.

"While there are still issues that must be worked out, this vote by the full House is an important step toward much-needed reforms that will allow the Postal Service to operate competitively in the 21st century," said Jerry Cerasale, senior vice president, government affairs. "We are particularly pleased that House bill would help mitigate or delay the current rate request of USPS. We are glad that the House defeated an amendment offered by Representative Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) that would have had the reverse effect by binding postal finances so that rates, even in the short run, would have increased higher and faster."

"We appreciate the efforts of Chairman Tom Davis, Representatives Henry Waxman, Danny Davis and John McHugh (who personally began this process 10 years ago), along with the 160 cosponsors who joined them on this important bill," added Cerasale. "We look forward to working with them as we continue to push for the enactment of postal reform legislation this year."

The DMA, the DMA Nonprofit Federation, and other stakeholders are firm in our belief that the viability of the world’s largest postal network, and the more than nine million Americans whose livelihoods depend on it, are in jeopardy unless comprehensive postal reform legislation is passed through Congress and enacted into law.

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About The DMA

The Direct Marketing Association (www.the-dma.org) is the leading trade association for businesses and organizations interested in direct marketing, which in 2004 generated more than $2.3 trillion in US sales, including $143.3 billion in catalog sales and $52.5 billion in Web-driven sales. In addition to catalogs and the Web, DMA members employ a wide variety of marketing media, including mail, e-mail, telephone, newspapers and magazines, interactive television, and radio, among others. Founded in 1917, The DMA today has more than 5,200 corporate, affiliate, and chapter members from the US and 44 other nations, including 55 companies listed on the Fortune 100. Reflecting the significant and growing role that direct marketing plays in today's advertising mix, The DMA's membership represents marketers from every business segment, including catalogers, Internet retailers, retail stores, nonprofit organizations, advertising agencies, financial services providers, book and magazine publishers, book and music clubs, industrial manufacturers, and a host of other vertical segments, as well as the service industries that support marketers.

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