HR 6407 Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act. Passed by voice vote (cowards) and signed into law December 20, 2006.
Yeah, that one galls me a lot.
Here's what Wikipedia has on that
One stipulation of the PAEA has caused controversy. It stipulates that the USPS is to make payments of $5.4 - $5.8 billion into the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund, each year, from 2007 to 2016 in order to prefund 50 years of estimated costs. This requirement also explicitly stated that the USPS was to stop using its savings to reduce postal debt, which was stipulated in Postal Civil Service Retirement System Funding Reform Act of 2003.[4] This is in addition to deductions from pay for federal contribution to social services.[5] This pre-funding method is unique to the USPS. In June 2011, the USPS had to suspend its weekly payment of 115 million into the fund because it had reached 8 billion dollars in debt and the retirement plan had a surplus of 6.9 billion dollars.[6] The Postal Service has not made any of the pre-funding payments since that time. This stipulation has effectively forced the USPS to operate at a severe loss since the PAEA took effect.[citation needed]
What else did the 109th Lame Duck do?
The 109th Congress reconvened on November 13, 2006, largely because it had only cleared two FY2007 appropriations bills prior to the election, funding the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security. A continuing resolution funding the rest of the government was set to expire on November 17. Another top priority for the session was addressing a number of expiring tax benefits. Democrats had gained control of both houses in the November election, and the President and Democratic party leaders expressed hopes of cooperation and bi- partisanship leading into the lame duck session.25
Despite this optimism and several instances of cooperation, the Congress ultimately did not achieve its primary goal of passing further appropriations measures. Congress opted to fund the government through two successive extensions of the continuing resolution, with H.J.Res. 100 continuing funding through December 8 and H.J.Res. 102 continuing funding through February 15, 2007. Congress also cleared a package of tax benefit extensions, including those for research and development and for education, which was paired with a trade package that included benefits for undeveloped countries and agreements with Vietnam.
Other notable legislation included a bill that allowed President George W. Bush to negotiate an agreement with India permitting cooperation on its development of nuclear power for the first time in 30 years. In addition, Congress passed a bill to overhaul the United States Postal Service and a Veterans’Affairs package authorizing funds for major medical projects and information technology upgrades. Finally, the Senate confirmed Robert M. Gates as Secretary of Defense to replace Donald Rumsfeld, who stepped down the day following the elections.
senate.gov
Soooo ... Lame Duck sessions can pass bills and do good or harm or confirm nominees.
But we hear that there's just no time to do anything more than minor mop up in the 113th Lame Duck. CNN reports that the session may fund the government, arm Syrian rebels, and extend tax breaks.
Sigh. We can't even pay the bills without sturm and drag. I expect we'll pour more fuel on the Middle East fire and tax breaks are always winners.
Oh yeah, there will also probably be a vote on Keystone. FSM, what possible rationale is there for that?
Not on the agenda. No confirmation vote for Loretta Lynch. Note that Robert Gates was confirmed in the Lame Duck. No vote on Vivek Murthy for Surgeon General. No vote on the backlog of judicial nominees. No time. Can't do it.
Obviously there won't be any action on immigration reform.
But, let's remember, Bush's 6th year Lame Duck managed to cripple the Constitutionally-mandated United States Postal Service.