WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters, Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, released the following statement after the Postal Service provided misleading and incomplete responses to Peters about new directives by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and after news Friday that he directed a leadership shakeup, firing two top USPS leaders. Peters has sent repeated inquiries on recent changes at the Postal Service that have reportedly led to mail left sitting in processing facilities and slower than normal delivery times.
“Americans count on the Postal Service to provide reliable, on-time delivery, even in the worst of conditions. Postmaster General DeJoy has refused to provide direct answers about how his changes are affecting mail service, including delays people are experiencing. In fact, his staff first provided misleading information suggesting he was not behind this shift only to reveal he did direct operational changes after I began an investigation. As I continue to hear about significant changes at the Postal Service, including the new leadership changes announced today, I’ll be holding them accountable. Postal customers in Michigan and across the country deserve transparency when it comes to policy changes that affect their mail delivery or undermine one of our nation’s oldest and most important institutions – and I’ll keep working to get them those answers.”
Initial responses to Peters’ requests in a July 22 letter from Postal Service staff failed to acknowledge that the Postal Service was making nationwide changes, and misleadingly stated that documents regarding these changes “should not be treated as official statements of Postal Service policy.” That response also failed to answer Peters’ initial questions about reports of slow deliveries. Following Peters’ second request, in an August 6 letter, officials admitted that DeJoy is directing a number of operational changes at the Postal Service. Responses to date have still failed to answer Peters’ questions about how these changes are affecting the mail service that Americans rely on. As part of his investigation, Peters will be seeking answers about these misleading and incomplete statements.
Following these insufficient responses, Peters launched an investigation in these recent changes and reports of delayed service. As part of his investigation, Peters is requesting members of the public share details about unexpected changes in their mail delivery by filling out the form at www.peters.senate.gov/postal. Peters serves as the Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which conducts oversight of the Postal Service.
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