NORWICH–U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and U.S. Representative Joe Courtney (D-Conn.-02) on Friday applauded the decision of the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Reform to unanimously approve a bipartisan package which included their provision to mandate a single zip-code for the town of Scotland, Connecticut. 

Scotland has 600-plus residencies, but six zip-codes, leading to misplaced packages, difficulty requesting mail-in ballots, and uncertainty about where to send students to school. In March, Murphy and Courtney joined forces to introduce bicameral legislation (S. 4052 and H.R. 7800) to direct the USPS to assign Scotland a single zip code. On Wednesday, the House Committee on Oversight and Reform approved the House bill as part of a larger package (H.R. 8753), sponsored by Rep. Boebert (R-CO), to address zip-code issues for Americans in 31 towns nationwide.  

“This is a simple bill to fix a complicated problem that would make a world of difference for the people of Scotland. I’m glad to see it advance in the House, and I’m pushing hard to get it done in the Senate,” said Murphy.

“Tangible progress for the Town of Scotland, who has sought a solution to its nonsensical zip code plight that has festered for too long. By favorably reporting this legislation out of the House committee that has jurisdiction over the Postal Service, the voice of the people of Scotland is finally being heard in Washington,” said Courtney. “The Postal Service – who the town has worked with to seek relief to no avail – needs to pay attention to this bipartisan action that demonstrates small, rural communities – who depend on functional postal service – are serious about fixing zip code anomalies. Hopefully, Speaker Johnson will bring this measure to the full house for swift passage in the final days of 118th Congress.” 

“The members of the Scotland, CT Board of Selectmen are pleased to learn that H.R.8753 – ‘To direct the United States Postal Service to designate single, unique ZIP Codes for certain communities’—has been favorably reported out of the House Committee on Oversight, without opposition,” said Scotland First Selectman Dana Barrow Jr. and the Board of Selectmen. “We know that the legislative process is lengthy and there are many hurdles ahead, but this news is heartening after many years of futile efforts to solve a serious problem for the people of Scotland. Scotland residents face daily frustration with packages being misdelivered, service providers being unable to find their properties, and on-line ordering or registration systems refusing to accept their address information. But the issue goes beyond inconvenience. People have paid taxes to the wrong town and sent their children to the wrong schools. Town party committees and voluntary associations cannot effectively reach residents by mail. Public health statistics seriously understate the burden of disease in our town, and other survey data also misrepresent us. The situation is damaging to us individually and as a community. We want to thank Joe Courtney and his team for working to fix the problem, and all members of Congress who we trust will ultimately pass the legislation.”

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