DeJoy to face questions from House committee on Postal Service
- by Lorene Schwartz
- in People
- — Aug 25, 2020
U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger voted against legislation Saturday that would reverse recent changes in U.S. Postal Service operations and send $25 billion to the agency before the November election.
A slowdown in mail deliveries amid cost-saving measures at USPS has fuelled fears about how one of the oldest and most trusted institutions in the USA can handle an unprecedented influx of mail-in ballots due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Trump has claimed that automatically mailing out ballots would lead to massive voter fraud, an assertion not supported by several studies.
Postmaster-general Louis DeJoy recently suspended cost-cutting measures that slowed deliveries in recent weeks.
"We reiterate that the Postal Service is fully capable and committed to delivering the nation's election mail securely and on time, and will do everything necessary to meet this sacred duty", USPS said in the statement.
One 18-year-old protester, who will cast her first ballot in the election, said she opposes moves created to obstruct voting.
A heated exchange happened during Monday's hearing, when Representative Stephen Lynch asked DeJoy if he would put mail sorting machines back, reportedly removed earlier this summer, before the election.
Ms. Pelosi, however, called Mr. Meadows's proposals "bare leaves", saying they don't address children facing food insecurity, people grappling with evictions, coronavirus testing and treatment or money for state and local governments.
At each rally organizers read a statement linking the Postal Service to Nevada's history, of which the Pony Express trail and the Overland Mail and Stage Line are both a part.
"I like the post office, I really do", said Rep. Glenn Grothman, R-Wis. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and President Trump have made it clear they would like the post office funding to be a part of a larger coronavirus relief package.
A crowd of about 40 to 50 people gathered outside the U.S. Post Office on Vassar Street today to show support for the Postal Service and its workers.
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Only essential public and corporate activities are allowed, and companies are advised to mandate remote working. School attendance will be limited to one-third of capacity in kindergartens, primary and middle schools.
In his testimony, Duncan is expected to explain the years-long financial challenges of the Postal Service and the search process that took place once the former postmaster general, Megan Brennan, notified the Board of Governors of her impending retirement last fall.
"People rely on the USPS for life-saving medication, low-priced shipping throughout the entire country, and even the delivery of animals like baby chicks to their farm", she said.
The House-passed measure allocated $25 billion to the Postal Service, required it to treat mail-in ballots as first-class mail, and rolled back service changes blamed for delivery delays.
"These new documents show that the delays we have all heard about are actually far worse than previously reported - and they are across the board", Maloney, a Democrat from NY, said.
DeJoy testified before a Senate committee on Friday, answering similar questions.
In fact, the House bill would prevent DeJoy from taking any action that would impede service until after next January or the end of the coronavirus health emergency, whichever comes later.
Mr. DeJoy said Mr.
DeJoy, 63, previously owned a logistics business that was a longtime Postal Service contractor.
DeJoy's push to improve on-time deliveries forced trucks to leave sorting facilities even if mail was still on the loading dock, postal workers say, leading to widespread delays nationwide.
As an essential public service, to expect USPS to provide what it does without assistance is unrealistic, especially now.
