Understanding the Postal Regulatory Commission

What is the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC)?

The Postal Regulatory Commission is an Independent Federal Agency responsible for the regulation and administration of standards and practices required of the United States Postal Service; these responsibilities include the management of postage rates, as well as the assurance of operational standards. In 2006, the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act was passed by former-President of the United States George W. Bush, which grants the PRC administrative jurisdiction over the USPS with regard to the regulation – and limitation – of rates of postage:

PRC Quick Facts

Independent Federal Agencies are typically without a single director or executive; in contrast, independent government agencies – such as the PRC - are overseen by an executive directorial board; due to this fact, the Executive Branch retains less managerial oversight of the PRC than its agency counterparts. Although the President of the United States retains administrative jurisdiction over the PRC, the presence of a committee of directors allows for a decreased executive authority over hiring, staffing, and administration.

The following details outline the structuring of the PRC:

The PRC was founded in 1970 in conjunction with the Postal Reorganization Act passed in the same year; this legislative act mandated and regulates terms and conditions with regard to establishment of postage rates, classifications, and delivery standards

The headquarters of the PRC are located in

The PRC is administered by 5 individuals comprising the commission itself; the commission is comprised of a chair, deputy chair, and 3 additional commissioners in lieu of a single director

Independent Government Agencies

In contrast to non-independent government agencies, whose overseeing bodies may range from the Department of Energy to the Department of Transportation, independent government agencies, such as the PRC are not required to report to such a department. However, while non-independent government agencies are classified as existing under the jurisdiction of the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches, the PRC – as well as the bulk of independent government agencies – are under varying degrees of the Executive branch’s jurisdiction:

The United States Postal Service (USPS) and the PRC

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is an independent Federal Agency existing within the United States of America responsible for the administration, delivery, and management of mail, parcels, and packages; although there exist supplemental –and private institutions that also undertake this service – the USPS is not only under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government, but also cited within the text of the United States Constitution.

PRC: Legal Information and Further Assistance

The operation and administration of the PRC resides under the jurisdiction of the legal field classified as Administrative Law; this genre of law is primarily associated with events and circumstances in which the Federal Government of the United States engages its citizens, including the administration of government programs, the administration and operation of government agencies, and the establishment of a legal, regulatory federal standard – you can find both the primary address and telephone number of the PRC below:

Postal Regulatory Commission

901 New York Avenue, NW

Suite 200 Washington, D.C.

20268

(202) 789-6800

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