Bi-Partisan Lawmakers: USPS Undo Changes Slowing Mail As Record Ballots Expected For Nov. Election

[appalachiablue]

- 'Lawmakers from both parties want Postal Service to undo changes that are slowing mail.' Lawmakers are increasingly focused on the Postal Service, which is reeling from mail delays and financial problems as record numbers of ballots are expected in the November presidential election. NBC News, Aug. 6. 2020. Associated Press.

WASHINGTON — Lawmakers from both parties are calling on the U.S. Postal Service to immediately reverse operational changes that are causing delays in deliveries across the country just as big volume increases are expected for mail-in election voting. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Thursday that changes imposed by the new, Republican postmaster general "threaten the timely delivery of mail — including medicines for seniors, paychecks for workers and absentee ballots for voters — that is essential to millions of Americans.''

In separate letters, two MT Republicans, Sen. Steve Daines and Rep. Greg Gianforte, also urged the Postal Service to reverse the July directive, which eliminates overtime for hundreds of thousands of postal workers & mandates that mail be kept until the next day if distribution centers are running late. "This action, if not rescinded, will negatively impact mail delivery for Montanans & unacceptably increase the risk of late prescriptions, commercial products or bill delivery,'' Daines said Thursday in a letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. Sen. Peters launches investigation into postal service slowdown. "Delaying mail service is unacceptable,” Gianforte wrote to DeJoy. “Do not continue down this road.”

In their letter, Pelosi and Schumer acknowledged that the Postal Service continues to face financial challenges, but said “enacting these policies as cost-cutting or efficiency measures as the COVID-19 public health emergency continues is counterproductive and unacceptable.'' During the pandemic, "Americans have turned to the Postal Service and depend on it for timely delivery of critical goods and a safe alternative to in-person interactions. As a result, we believe these changes must be reversed,'' the Democrats said. The flurry of letters came as the top Democrat on a Senate panel that oversees the Postal Service launched an investigation into the operational changes that he said "are preventing Americans from receiving critical mail on time, including prescription drugs, business mail and mail-in ballots.?

The cost-cutting measures, intended to address the Postal Service's longtime financial problems, were imposed last month after DeJoy, a GOP fundraiser & former supply-chain executive, took over the top job in June. DeJoy, 63, of No. Carolina, is a major donor to President Donald Trump & the Republican Party. He is the first postmaster general in nearly 2 decades who is not a career postal employee. MI Sen. Gary Peters, top Democrat on the Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee, said DeJoy has failed to provide answers about the service delays, despite repeated requests. Peters is asking the public to provide their stories about delays or other problems with deliveries. The Senate inquiry comes as lawmakers increasingly focus on the Postal Service, which is reeling from mail delays & financial problems at a time when record numbers of mail ballots are expected in the November presidential election because of the coronavirus pandemic.
A vocal critic of the USPS, Trump contended Wed. that "the Post Office doesn’t have enough time” to handle a significant increase in mail-in ballots. “I mean you’re talking about millions of votes...It’s a catastrophe waiting to happen.?

DeJoy met with Schumer & Pelosi Wednesday in a closed-door session that Schumer called “a heated discussion.? Democrats told DeJoy that “elections are sacred” & urged him not to impose cutbacks “at a time when all ballots count,? Schumer said. “For 245 years, the Postal Service has worked to provide reliable, consistent & on-time delivery that keeps Americans connected no matter where they live, especially in rural areas," Peters said...

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/lawmakers-both-parties-want-postal-service-undo-changes-are-slowing-n1236086

[pazzyanne]

1. As a person who lives in a very rural area, the US Postal Service is a lifeline.

I live 40 miles one way from medical services and drive 20 miles one way for groceries and banking. Many of my "errands" are conducted using the post office. My mail is delivered to me at my home. That mail includes medication, some grocery items, pet products, legal and medical correspondence, personal letters and cards from relatives I no longer see in person, medical and personal magazines, etc. Having unreliable postal service is unacceptable for people like me. I agree with the law makers from Montana who understand the importance in the lives of people who live in deeply rural areas. Have I mentioned I hate tRump and his administration?

[KS Toronado]

2. No matter how much Democrats yell & scream & point fingers at unDejoy....

He is going to do everything he can to mess with mail in ballots, the very job trumpig sent him
into the USPS to do. With that in mind we should be telling voters to be making arrangements
to hand deliver their ballots to election offices and the sooner the better, no last minute stuff.
Should also encourage more drop off ballot boxes in secure well traveled locations to prevent
tampering.