PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Congressional Research Service
Version 49 · Public Law · Oct 13, 2008
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)
Air Carriage of International Mail Act - (Sec. 2) Authorizes the U.S. Postal Service to contract, through an open procurement process, for air transportation of mail between foreign points only with certificated air carriers (carriers that hold a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued under specified provisions). Allows a contract to be awarded to transport mail between any foreign points the Secretary of Transportation has authorized the carrier to serve either directly or through a code-share relationship.
Requires that the Postal Service use a method for determining fair and reasonable prices developed in consultation with, and with the concurrence of, certificated air carriers representing at least 51% of available ton miles in the markets of interest. Presumes ceiling prices determined by that method to be fair and reasonable if they do not exceed the ceiling prices derived from a weighted average based on market rate data furnished by the International Air Transport Association (or its subsidiary unit) or such other neutral weighted average market rates as the Postal Service, with the concurrence of such air carriers representing at least 51% of available ton miles, may designate.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
Provides for exceptions for emergency or unanticipated conditions or inadequate lift space.
Removes provisions requiring that the Secretary of Transportation set prices to be paid by the Postal Service for the transportation of mail by aircraft in foreign air transportation.
Removes references to foreign air transportation from provisions relating to a duty to provide certain transportation of mail.
Authorizes the Postal Service to weigh mail transported by aircraft between places in Alaska and make statistical and administrative computations necessary in the interest of mail service. (Current law does not restrict that authorization to flights between places in Alaska.)
Removes a requirement that the Postal Service make a fair and equitable distribution of mail business to carriers providing similar modes of transportation.
Modifies provisions regarding the mail of members of the U.S. Armed Forces and of friendly foreign nations.
People & committees
Sen. Carper, Thomas R. [D-DE] · D–DE
Legislative record
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Became Public Law No: 110-405.
Became Public Law No: 110-405.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Cleared for White House.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR 9/27/2008 H10206-10207)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR 9/27/2008 H10206-10207)
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H10631)
At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Davis, Tom objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 3536.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H10206-10208)
Mr. Clay moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Received in the House.
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S9865-9866; text as passed Senate: CR S9865-9866)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S9865-9866; text as passed Senate: CR S9865-9866)
Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze S.3536 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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