S.2082 / 105th Congress

International Postal Services Act of 1998

Referred to Subcommittee on International Security.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · May 14, 1998

International Postal Services Act of 1998 - Amends Federal postal law to allow the Board of Governors of the U. S. Postal Service to establish reasonable and equitable rates of postage and fees for domestic and international postal services. (Current law allows the Board to establish reasonable and equitable rates of postage and fees for postal services.)

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PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Cochran, Thad [R-MS] · R–MS

Committees

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Sen. Cleland, Max [D-GA]

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Jun 30, 1998
Referred to Subcommittee on International Security.
Jun 2, 1998
Subcommittee on International Security. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 105-690.
May 14, 1998
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.
May 14, 1998
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4911)
May 14, 1998
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in Senate · May 14, 1998 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.2082 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss S.2082, 105th Congress: International Postal Services Act of 1998

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-bill/2082

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1998-05-14.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/s2082/BILLS-105s2082is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T16:12:59Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.2082 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.2082 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss S.2082, 105th Congress: International Postal Services Act of 1998

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-bill/2082

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1998-05-14.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/s2082/BILLS-105s2082is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T16:12:59Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.2082 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.2082 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.2082, 105th Congress: International Postal Services Act of 1998

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-bill/2082

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1998-05-14.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/s2082/BILLS-105s2082is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T16:12:59Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.2082 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.2082 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.2082, 105th Congress: International Postal Services Act of 1998

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-bill/2082

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1998-05-14.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/s2082/BILLS-105s2082is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T16:12:59Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.2082 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.