Congress Passes Bipartisan Bill Naming Post Office After Someone
In a rare moment of unity, the House and Senate voted overwhelmingly to rename a postal facility in suburban Ohio, marking their third legislative accomplishment this year.
Congress came together in a rare display of bipartisan cooperation on Thursday, voting 97-3 to rename a post office in Westerville, Ohio after local educator and community organizer Ruth Baines, who passed away in 2019.
"This is what we can accomplish when we put aside our differences," said Representative Tom Harwick, who co-sponsored the bill and spoke for two and a half minutes on the floor about Ms. Baines, whom he had not previously heard of.
The bill, which cleared committee in three days and faced no meaningful opposition, stands in contrast to seventeen other pieces of legislation currently stalled in various stages of inaction, including a highway funding bill, two budget resolutions, and a measure to prevent the government from shutting down that has been described as "urgent" since April.
Senate Majority leadership hailed the post office bill as evidence that the chamber "still works."
"When there's a will, there's a way," said one senator, pausing for photos outside the renamed facility, which the Postal Service confirmed will begin offering normal postal services on Monday.
A fourth post office naming bill is expected to reach the floor before recess.