SPEAKING OUT
Senators call for swift emergency funding for USPS
TROY, N.Y. » The United States Postal Service (USPS) is under attack. That according to U.S. Sen. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who spoke out against actions being taken by new USPS Postmaster General Louis DeJoy.
Joined by fellow U.S. Sen.
Kirsten Gillibrand, U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko, Troy Mayor Patrick Madden and President of NALC Branch 358/Legislative Director NYS Assn of Letter Carriers, William “Bill” Cook, Schumer reiterated his call for DeJoy to step down from his post, Monday morning outside the post office on Broadway in Troy.
On Aug. 7, 2020, the USPS announced a significant reorganization of Postal Service leadership and functions, which could impact the Capital Region.
The changes include the elimination of extra mail transportation trips, the reduction of overtime, the start of a pilot program for mail sorting and delivery policies at hundreds of post offices, and the reduction equipment at mail processing plants.
“They wanted to dismantle the post office from the beginning. That seems to be what Mr. DeJoy wants.” — U.S. Sen. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, referring to U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy
“They wanted to dismantle the post office from the beginning. That seems to be what Mr. DeJoy wants,” Schumer remarked.
“But now you have the added impetus with President [Donald] Trump mixing in for electoral purposes, making it even worse. There is no reason, why in the heck would they do this during COVID, whatever they felt about the post office. So there’s a view strongly held that they’re doing it now to interfere with the elections,” Schumer added on whether he believed the actions taken were a form of election interference.
Schumer joined the call from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, that DeJoy appear before the House of Representatives for hearings no later than this Friday.
Monday afternoon, DeJoy announced that he will indeed appear and testify before the Congressional Oversight Committee on Monday, Aug. 24. Also testifying on the changes made to the USPS will be the Chairman of the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors Robert M. Duncan. The hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m.
“He’s a presidential appointee, but I think there’ll be a demand joining me from one end of the country to the other to get him to step down. He can’t even defend what he’s doing. He doesn’t deserve to be there, as I said, stamp it, return to sender, get out, step down, get out of office,” Schumer noted on what he believes should happen if DeJoy refuses to appear before Congress.
In addition to electoral politics, Gillibrand spoke to the need of the USPS to be able to operate at full capacity, with so many vulnerable groups such as seniors and veterans relying on the mail for medications, Social Security checks, pensions, and the ability to pay bills on time, all during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I am deeply troubled by reports of operational issues at the Post Office, such as reducing carrier hours and overtime, removing sorting machinery from post offices, and taking mail collection boxes off the street without warning,” Gillibrand said.
“Postmaster General DeJoy claims that these operational changes will improve efficiency, but the reality is that they are creating unacceptable delays of critical deliveries of prescriptions, paychecks, Social Security checks and threaten our ability to vote by mail. With our country, state, and Capital Region in the midst of an unprecedented economic and public health crisis, Congress must fully fund the Post Office to protect jobs, health, and our democracy,” Gillibrand added.
Both Senators say the will demand new legislation to undo the changes slowing down the mail and ensure that mail-in ballots are treated as First Class priority mail.
Tonko echoed the sentiments voiced by Schumer and Gillibrand as well.
“The United States postal system is under attack. It has been said traditionally over the ages, that neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night can stop or slow our letter carriers. We never thought we would have to add political corruption but that’s what it’s about,” Tonko stated on the impact dismantling the USPS could have on the electoral process.
“We have here an effort made to provide for the President’s wishes to slow and suppress the vote. It is very important for us in the midst of this COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve encouraged people to stay home, it is the smart thing to do, they should be able to vote from home, they should be able to utilize the mail system,” Tonko added.
Tonko noted upon recently surveying his constituents that their top three reasons for utilizing the postal service are to pay bills, stay in connection with loved ones, and vote.
Madden spoke to the vital role the postal service plays in communities like the Collar City.
“The U.S. Postal Service serves a critical role in our communities across the United States, including small cities like Troy as well as the rural areas that surround us,” Madden said.
“It’s more than just mail, it’s a lifeline for seniors without internet access, it’s an affordable service that delivers Social Security benefits and prescriptions for veterans and individuals with disabilities,” Madden continued.
“It helps our small businesses keep their doors open, especially important during this pandemic. It employs hundreds of thousands of Americans, including many in Troy and Rensselaer County,” Madden added on the 1,500 or so postal jobs in the Capital Region.
President of NALC Branch 358/Legislative Director NYS Assn of Letter Carriers, William “Bill” Cook, also called for the USPS to be funded.
“As an essential service, the USPS has spent a significant amount of money to keep their employees safe and to deliver the mail to the American people. The USPS deserves and needs the requested $25 billion reimbursement for these expenses,” Cook added.