No RTO Act is a bill introduced in the Senate by Mr. Hawley on May 6, 2025. The core idea is straightforward: the United States Postal Service (USPS) may not implement its Regional Transportation Optimization (RTO) initiative, or any similar initiative, if the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) issues an advisory opinion declaring that the proposed implementation would negatively affect rural communities. The bill thus positions PRC findings as a blocking condition against USPS modernization efforts that could harm rural areas, pending that advisory determination. It does not specify alternative actions or exemptions beyond the prohibition itself. In short, the bill uses regulatory oversight to halt USPS modernization plans linked to transportation optimization if they are judged to be detrimental to rural residents and communities.
Key Points
- 1Short title: The act may be cited as the “No Regional Transportation Optimization Act” or the “No RTO Act.”
- 2Prohibition trigger: USPS may not implement the RTO initiative or any similar initiative if the PRC determines in an advisory opinion that such implementation will negatively affect rural communities.
- 3Regulatory basis: The advisory opinion must be issued pursuant to section 3661 of title 39, United States Code, and reflects the PRC’s assessment of impact on rural communities.
- 4Scope: The prohibition applies to the Regional Transportation Optimization initiative and to any similar initiatives undertaken by the USPS.
- 5Status and process: Introduced in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. The text defines the prohibition but does not lay out additional implementation details or exceptions.