Postmaster General Faces House Committee
Collection Boxes Replaced Following Inquiries
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy defended his recent handling of the U.S. Postal Service to the U.S. House of Representatives Aug. 24 amid concerns that his decisions have jeopardized USPS ability to serve Americans.
Mail service has slowed across the country, according to internal documents obtained by the House Oversight Committee. DeJoy denied the slowdowns are part of an attempt to reduce voting by mail during the rapidly approaching general election.
Recent delivery delays have raised concerns about USPS handling ballots for November’s election. And they’ve created worries and impediments for Montanans who rely heavily on the service to obtain medications.
There have long been minor issues with medication delivery by mail, but the problem has been exacerbated by recent changes imposed by the Trump administration, such as limits on overtime and a requirement that trucks leave on schedule even if mail isn’t loaded yet.
U.S Senator Jon Tester sent a letter to DeJoy Aug. 19 pushing for answers after reports indicated DeJoy was removing mail sorting machines from USPS facilities across Montana, breaking his promise to halt any further changes at USPS until after the November election.
Said Tester, “I write today regarding reports that the U.S. Postal Service is removing mail sorting machines from several locations around Montana,” Tester wrote.”
“Montanans rely on dependable, timely mail service to pay their bills, receive prescription drugs, and vote,” Tester continued. “Delaying this essential service is unacceptable.”
On Aug. 14, Congressman Greg Gianforte requested that DeJoy provide information about how the removal of collection boxes in Montana will impact mail delivery and about other potential changes in USPS service.
Tester Press Secretary Roy Lowenstein said Aug. 24 that more than a dozen collection boxes have been replaced at their original locations following inquiries.
“Today, USPS government affairs informed our office that, in response to Senator Tester’s work over the past week, 14 residential mail collection boxes that were removed from Lewistown, Livingston, Manhattan, Helena, Glendive, Bozeman and Shelby are being reinstated until after the election,” said Lowenstein.
