The U.S. Postal Service will suspend any policy or operational changes until after the November presidential election, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said Tuesday.
Critics claimed that DeJoy hindered the agency’s ability to meet an expected increase in vote for mail-in, which he denied.
DeJoy, a close ally of President Donald Trump and a longtime GOP donor named in May, said he had come to the federal agency to make changes that would ensure “their long-term sustainability.” , but he intended to slow down these efforts as control of these practices grew – despite his view that the USPS needed a major overhaul.
“In the meantime, there have been some long-standing operational initiatives – efforts that predicted my arrival at the Postal Service – that have been raised as areas of concern as the nation prepares to hold an election in the amid a devastating pandemic, “he said. “To prevent even the appearance of any influence on election post, I suspend these initiatives until after the end of the election.”
DeJoy said post office hours would not change, mail processing equipment and blue mailboxes would not be removed, all mail processing facilities would remain open and the Postal Service would again allow overtime to be ‘approved as needed.’
The announcement also included DeJoy’s intention to expand the agency’s leadership task force on election post to members of postal unions and management associations.
This sudden statement comes after DeJoy, a former executive logistics officer, faced intense scrutiny for national shipping delays, after making a number of policy changes that included eliminating overtime and restricting mail carriers from taking extra routes to deliver mail on time. delivery.
Questions were also raised about the removal of blue Post Service mailboxes, such as the demolition of 671 letter-sorters at Postal Service facilities, although these removals preceded the appointment of DeJoy.
Nonetheless, the delays and optics have rolled out Democrats accusing DeJoy and Trump of hoarding the agency in an attempt to undermine post-in-vote. Postal workers across the country fought for the issue, claiming that the policy adopted by DeJoy – which he said was intended to cut costs and increase efficiency – caused savings in the supply of prescription drugs, controls for social security and other pieces include essential mail.
Trump deliberately refused to delay the USPS, telling reporters Monday that he “encouraged everyone to speed up the post, not to delay the post.” DeJoy, meanwhile, is set to testify before Congress later this week.
Concerns about the Postal Service’s ability to handle election mail grew when several states received letters from the Postal Service last week warning them that the agency could not fulfill post-in-vote requests.
The potential delays are a major concern for many, as millions of Americans are expected to ship via USPS this year due to concerns about the coronavirus.
DeJoy’s announcement came as Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro and Attorney General Bob Washington, both Democrats, shared their intent to file lawsuits against the postmaster’s general over his policy changes. At least 18 states are involved in the lawsuits.
When asked by reporters about DeJoy’s announcement, both men laughed and said their lawsuits would continue.
“I will believe it when I see it,” Shapiro said. “Hopefully the American people can take a sigh of relief, but I will not let my foot off the gas as long as the postal officials continue the law with their procedural steps.”
