A notable 26 Republicans voted yes with Democrats.
The House of Representatives voted on Saturday to provide $ 25 billion in funding to the U.S. Postal Service, while blocking operational changes that have delayed the election service.
The proposal was largely about party lines, 257-150, with 26 Republicans voting for Democrats.
The “Delivery for America Act” would require all official election mail to be treated as “first-class mail,” prohibit the removal of mail machines and mailboxes, and reverse any already implemented changes that could delay mail delivery.
Democrats, some Republicans and civil rights organizations have accused Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, a donor to President Donald Trump’s campaign, of making technical changes to the agency in an attempt to sow distrust in the vote to post and influence the results of the election as Americans are. expected to vote by post in unusual numbers amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“No American should ever have to choose between their health, safety and well-being on the one hand, and their constitutional right to vote on the other,” Rep said. Hakeem Jeffries, DN.Y., Saturday. “Do not make war with USPS.”
DeJoy, a witness before the House of Representatives on Friday, called the allegations against him “scandalous” and said changes to the Post Office were needed to address the poor finances. He said the agency was “fully capable” of delivering this ballot on time this fall, but he set out to halt additional operational changes ahead of the election. However, he did not say that he would turn back those who were already on the move.
Chamber member Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., Said on Saturday that the bill was an attempt to keep DeJoy from his commitment to deliver votes to his “ambiguous” testimony.
“His comments are one thing, his actions will be another,” she said.
Democrats passed the measure Saturday with some Republican support, but most denied the need for new funding and policy changes, accusing Democrats of turning the post office into a political football.
“This bill is a disgrace, it is a disgrace, it is not necessary at the moment,” said Rep. Drew Ferguson, R-Ga., Saturday on the House floor.
“It’s not a real crisis,” House Republican Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., Said after calling Democrats’ concerns a “conspiracy theory” in a tweet.
On Saturday, Democrats released new data from the USPS, showing declines in timely mail deliveries this summer and suggesting service problems “were much less than we were told,” said House Oversight Committee chairwoman Carolyn Maloney, DN.Y.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Has rejected the need for a standalone bill at the post office while the White House has threatened a presidential veto.
Moments after the House of Representatives officially passed its bill, McConnell issued a statement calling the bill a “stunt” and stating that the House of Representatives will not pass it.
“They will hear from their constituents because this is coming home – you will not receive your email on time,” Pelosi said of Republicans in the House of Representatives. “Not receiving any of your recipes, especially for our veterans, comes home in a way that is harmful to our country.”
ABC News’ Mike Levine and Allison Pecorin contributed to this report.
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