Stamp of approval: House weighs bill to halt Postal Service changes, provide extra funding.
Bill adds $25 billion, stops service changes
WASHINGTON – The House of Representatives was poised to pass legislation Saturday to prevent any further changes at the United States Postal Service and to provide $25 billion in funding before an expected surge in mail-in ballots in the November election.
The Democratic-controlled chamber was expected to pass the bill Saturday afternoon, but it faces an uncertain future in the Republican-led Senate. Senate Majority Leader Mitch Mcconnell, R-KY., had told the Louisville Courierjournal on Tuesday he was doubtful a bill only addressing the Postal Service could pass the Senate.
The White House said Friday it would veto the bill, calling it an “overreaction to sensationalized media reports.”
Democrats note that U.S. Postal Service officials have ordered the removal of mail-sorting machines, cut overtime for mail carriers, and made other controversial changes.
Critics say that has slowed the delivery of prescription medicines and other items for veterans, seniors and other Americans who rely on the mail service as a lifeline.
Speaking on the House floor, Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., the sponsor of the bill and the chairwoman of the House Oversight Committee, said the “delays we have all heard about are actually far worse” and are “across the board.” Her office released documents from the Postal Service showing nationwide delays in mail since the beginning of July.
“The American people do not want anyone messing with the Post Office and they certainly do not want it politicized,” she said
House Republican leaders said they would tell members to vote against what they called a “conspiracy theory bill.” But some GOP lawmakers support the bill.
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-PA., is a cosponsor. And Rep. John Katko, R-N.Y., said in a statement Friday he would vote for the bill because “now is not the time to jeopardize USPS operations or delay services.”
House Democrats called lawmakers back to Washington from their summer recess for the rare Saturday session. The
Senate remains out until after Labor Day, but a Senate panel held a hearing with Postmaster General Louis Dejoy on Friday, where he faced intense questioning about recent controversial changes at the service. Dejoy acknowledged delays in mail delivery but denied political motivations.
Democrats have accused him of trying to undermine mail service to benefit Trump, who has attacked the service as a “joke” and claimed, without evidence, that mail-in voting is subject to fraud.
Dejoy said Tuesday he would suspend some changes at the Postal Service until after the election to avoid the appearance of impropriety, but Democrats said they also wanted him to commit to reversing changes already made.