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Audit of north Alabama postal service part of new bill, Rep. Dale Strong announces
Provisions for a postal service audit for north Alabama and consideration for a new zip code for Skyline are included in a spending bill now before the U.S. House.
They are included in the Fiscal Year 2027 Financial Services and General Government appropriations bill, which passed out of the House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Dale Strong’s office said.
The first provision directs the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General to evaluate delivery performance, staffing levels, and operational bottlenecks in areas with ongoing service issues, including north Alabama.
“Families, small businesses, and seniors depend on timely, reliable mail delivery, whether it’s for receiving medication, paying bills, or managing daily commerce,” said Strong, who is a member of the Appropriations Committee. “This audit brings accountability and oversight to the Postal Service by identifying systemic failures and ensuring it implements the necessary changes to improve reliability and efficiency.”
Strong said he has heard constituents’ concerns regarding the lack of reliable mail service since he first took office.
“I remain concerned about the negative impacts of consolidation, including degraded mail service, declining customer satisfaction, and cost overruns,” the congressman said. “This audit is about getting clear answers and making sure the Postal Service delivers the level of service our communities expect.”
Strong also secured a second provision directing USPS to continue its internal review of cases where ZIP codes overlap municipal boundaries, resulting in multiple or incorrect city designations.
While the original review included Priceville, the provision requires an updated report that includes an analysis for consideration of a unique ZIP code designation for Skyline.
In addition to the audit, zip code consideration and work to address delays in mail service, Strong has pushed for a new post office in the 35763 ZIP Code and advocated for a north Alabama-based processing and distribution facility.