Skip to main content
HR 3973 97th Congress House Government Operations and Politics Crime prevention Fines (Penalties) Fraud Governmental investigations Lotteries Postal Services and Facilities Postal service Subpoena United States Postal Service

Postal Service Amendments of 1981

Introduced: June 18, 1981 See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 97th Congress ended
It never became law before the 97th Congress (1981–1982) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 12 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Aug 19, 1982
Clean Bill H.R.7044 Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee in Lieu.
Jul 22, 1982
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Jul 20, 1982
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Jul 15, 1982
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Jun 3, 1982
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
May 20, 1982
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Dec 2, 1981
Favorable Executive Comment Received From Postal Service.
Dec 1, 1981
Favorable Executive Comment Received From OMB.
Jul 1, 1981
Referred to Subcommittee on Postal Personnel and Modernization.
Jul 1, 1981
Executive Comment Requested from OMB, Postal Service.
Jun 18, 1981
Referred to House Committee on Post Office and Civil Service.
Jun 18, 1981
Introduced in House
 Ask about this bill AI · grounded in the bill text

Have a question about what this bill does? Ask in plain English; the answer is drawn from the bill's actual text and official record, and it'll tell you when something isn't in the text rather than guess.

AI answers can be imperfect; always confirm against the full bill text.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Postal Service Amendments of 1981 - Authorizes the United States Postal Service to issue written demands requiring access to books, records, documents, or other objects believed to relate to any postal offense or civil matter under investigation by the Postal Service. Provides for the enforcement of such a demand by the appropriate district court.

Authorizes the Postal Service to issue an order requiring any person to cease and desist from conducting a lottery or scheme for obtaining money or property by false representations through the mail. Declares that the resumption of such an activity through the use of any instrumentality of interstate commerce shall be considered to be a failure to comply with such order. Permits the Postal Service, in investigating whether a person is conducting such an activity, to tender the price of any article or service that such person has offered for sale. Declares that failure by such person to provide such article or service, or failure to comply with a written demand of the Postal Service for access to materials, shall constitute probable cause to believe such person is engaged in such activities, warranting the detention of such person's incoming mail.

Establishes a civil penalty to be assessed by the Postal Service, after an opportunity for an agency hearing, against any person who: (1) attempts to evade an order directing the postmaster to return mail addressed to such person; (2) fails to comply with a cease and desist; or (3) assists another person in evading such an order.

What's happening now August 19, 1982

Clean Bill H.R.7044 Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee in Lieu.

 Related & companion bills 2
 Committees of jurisdiction 2
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3973: Postal Service Amendments of 1981. 97th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/97-HR-3973/
MLA
"H.R. 3973: Postal Service Amendments of 1981." 97th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/97-HR-3973/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3973, 97th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/97-HR-3973/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3973: Postal Service Amendments of 1981](https://openamerica.io/bill/97-HR-3973/)
Report a problem