Bill · S. 5070· Senate(119-S-5070)
MAIL Act
- Introduced
- 7/22/2026
- Last activity
- 7/22/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Adam Schiff
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The MAIL Act aims to provide free post office boxes to unhoused or housing unstable individuals. This benefit is available to eligible individuals who meet specific income or assistance criteria. The United States Postal Service is required to create regulations for this process within one year of the Act's enactment. To support this, the Postal Service is authorized to procure additional post office boxes as needed. The Act also establishes a system for reimbursing the Postal Service for lost revenue and the costs of new boxes. Finally, the Postmaster General must submit an implementation plan and periodic progress reports to Congress.
Yes
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+7
The act directly benefits low-income individuals by providing free post office box services.
Is this likely to lift people out of poverty?+5
Providing free post office boxes helps reduce the logistical burdens of poverty for unhoused individuals.
Is this likely to reduce homelessness?+3
While not directly providing housing, it provides essential infrastructure to support unhoused individuals.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Access to Free Post Office Boxes: Eligible individuals, including those who are unhoused, at risk of homelessness, or receiving certain federal assistance like Medicaid or SNAP, can receive a post office box without any fees (Section 2(a) and Section 2(b)(1)).
-
Increased Infrastructure for Mail Services: The United States Postal Service is authorized to procure additional post office boxes to accommodate the needs of eligible individuals (Section 2(b)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Availability Limitations: The provision of free post office boxes is subject to the actual availability of those boxes (Section 2(b)(1)).
-
Administrative Burdens for Eligibility: To receive a box, an individual must submit proof of eligibility to a local or regional Postmaster in a manner and time determined by the Postmaster General (Section 2(b)(1)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+5Reduces Homelessness+3
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+7
- 7/22/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Introduced in Senate