This legislation significantly enhances the administrative subpoena powers of the United States Postal Service (USPS) Postmaster General for investigations into a broad range of "covered offenses," including violations of postal laws, mail-related crimes, and Controlled Substances Act offenses involving the mails. The expanded authority allows subpoenas to compel the production of relevant records and generally permits requiring testimony from the custodian of those records regarding their authenticity. However, subpoenas for investigations related to false representation schemes (under section 3005(a)) cannot compel testimony. To ensure proper oversight, the bill also limits the delegation of subpoena approval authority exclusively to the Postal Service's General Counsel, a Deputy General Counsel, or the Chief Postal Inspector , ensuring high-level review for these investigative tools.
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Government Operations and Politics
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationEvidence and witnessesU.S. Postal Service
USPS Subpoena Authority Act
USA119th CongressHR-170| House
| Updated: 1/3/2025
This legislation significantly enhances the administrative subpoena powers of the United States Postal Service (USPS) Postmaster General for investigations into a broad range of "covered offenses," including violations of postal laws, mail-related crimes, and Controlled Substances Act offenses involving the mails. The expanded authority allows subpoenas to compel the production of relevant records and generally permits requiring testimony from the custodian of those records regarding their authenticity. However, subpoenas for investigations related to false representation schemes (under section 3005(a)) cannot compel testimony. To ensure proper oversight, the bill also limits the delegation of subpoena approval authority exclusively to the Postal Service's General Counsel, a Deputy General Counsel, or the Chief Postal Inspector , ensuring high-level review for these investigative tools.