In addition to the infusion of $ 25 billion in funds, Democrats’ bills would force the Postal Service to combat the austerity measures proposed by DeJoy, which have led to the closure of e-mail sorting machines and the payment of overtime for employees. The bill would also require the Postal Service to prioritize election mail as “first class”, and ensure a speedy delivery of postal messages.
“We want the Postmaster-General to undo the damage he has already done, restore the sorting machines and mailboxes he has already removed and prioritize the official election post as first-class post, as it was before,” Chairman Mrs. Housekeeping Committee Carolyn Maloney (DN.Y.) said Friday. “Every member of Congress must support this bill.”
The measure is unlikely to be included in the GOP-controlled Senate, where Republicans have repeatedly dismissed Democrats’ efforts as political and unnecessary. The White House has also threatened to veto the law.
“This is a joke,” said Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), And argued against the bill Saturday. “No legislation will happen because my friends do not take legislation seriously. No money will come to the Post Office because it cannot pass the First Chamber. ”
House GOP leadership formally opposed the legislation, but some Republicans, such as the New York Rep. John Katko announced that they would break with the party to fund the bill. GOP reps. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey are also participating in the bill.
“Delaying these services would have a catastrophic impact on the lives of many Americans. Now is not the time to endanger USPS operations or delay services,” wrote Katko, who is leading a competitive race this fall. for reelection has, wrote in a statement ahead of the vote.
Trump has voted several times against the Postal Service and the post-in vote, claiming without proof that the process is ripe for fraud. However, despite enormous political pressure, DeJoy said he would reverse some of his planned organizational changes earlier this week and reconsider the post-election ideas to prevent the emergence of powerlessness.
Pelosi and other top Democrats rejected DeJoy’s announcement as “not enough,” saying he did not address the current changes that hinder the delivery of everything from prescription drugs to Social Security payments for seniors.
Democrats’ push to expand the Postal Service comes as congressional leaders stop at how to take broader action to tackle a pandemic that has killed nearly 175,000 Americans and continues to force tens of millions to rely on unemployment benefits after losing their job.
Meanwhile, popular relief programs – including additional federal unemployment support and small business subsidies – have expired since early August, with frustration on both sides and partisan finger-pointing only intensifying across the Capitol. With the exception of the Chamber’s vote on Saturday, both chambers remain in recession from August to mid-September and there is little hope that a deal can be reached before then.
“People are really at a breaking point,” Rep. Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), Whose district in Las Vegas was destroyed by the virus. ‘We have Senate Republicans who for whatever reason have chosen not to do their job that they were elected. That part is frustrating, but I can not be frustrated because I know in the meantime, my constituencies are dependent on me. ”
Dozens of House Democrats this week urgently called on Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) To resume talks, sending many letters about the concerns they hear at home about being inactive.
