In addition, Schumer requested that the board provide a “complete and complete statement” of the roles played by President Donald Trump and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin in selecting DeJoy.
DeJoy has come under fire from Democrats over the past few weeks over delays in mail delivery, especially after The Washington Post reported that USPS election officials in 46 states warned that some polls in November might not be delivered on time due to inconsistencies with different state times and the bureau’s delivery capacity.
In addition, Democrats criticized DeJoy for attempting to make operational changes to the Post Office before the election and accused the USPS of trying to undermine the election by encouraging election officials to move to a higher postal rate.
DeJoy said Tuesday that he will stop “long-term operational initiatives” until after the election “to prevent even the appearance of any influence on election post.”
Schumer, who spoke with DeJoy on Tuesday, also sent a follow-up letter to him on Wednesday asking for more detail on what operational changes were paused and a list of locations where mail processing equipment and collection boxes were recently removed, among other issues.
Some Senate Republicans have also raised concerns about delays at USPS. In a letter sent this week, Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) Asked DeJoy to work with Congress and meet with him to discuss possible reforms to the Postal Service.
DeJoy is scheduled to testify Friday before the Senate committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. The chairman of the committee, sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Said he wanted to give DeJoy the opportunity to testify before the Republican-led committee ahead of his appearance Monday before the House oversight committee.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Who spoke with DeJoy on Wednesday, will also hold a rare vote Saturday on legislation that would provide $ 25 billion to USPS, briefly interrupting the August recession. Trump on Wednesday attacked the House of Representatives hearing, which will take place as the Republican National Convention begins, tagging First Chamber Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) Who has no say in the House schedule.
“Why do Republicans let Democrats hear for free at the Post Office on Saturday and Monday, just before and during our Convention,” Trump tweeted. “Let them keep them NOW (during their treaty) when after our treaty is over. Always play right into their hands! @senatemajldr. ”
McConnell said earlier this week that USPS would be “just fine” for the November election.
First Republicans are currently debating the text of a “lean” coronavirus enlightenment bill that is expected to provide $ 10 billion to USPS by converting a loan into a subsidy. That smaller relief package is not expected to receive support from Senate Democrats. A Democratic aide to the House of Representatives said Wednesday, “It’s pretty clear that Republicans do not yet have a clue as to how to meet the urgent needs of Americans, nor how to correct President Trump’s total failure to fight effectively. against the spread of COVID-19. “
Zach Montellaro contributed to this story.
