A U.S. Postal Service (USPS) panel has advanced a proposal that would increase state mail costs for post-in-votes from 20 cents to 55 cents per vote, according to a report by The Capitol Forum.
States pay the 20 cents marketing mail frequency when sending e-mail ballots to voters, but the new proposal advanced by the executive leadership would require them to pay the standard first-rate mail service of 55 cents.
Voters pay all the standard first-class mail class to return their ballots, though 17 states cover the cost to voters.
Sources familiar with the proposal told the Capitol Forum that there was “no clear reason” for the policy, except to bring in additional revenue for the cash-strapped agency, and states pushed for the lower rates to stay in place during discussions on the proposal.
Democrats passed a coronavirus relief bill in May that would provide $ 25 billion to help the USPS. The Republican counter-proposal of the House of Representatives offered no money for the agency. The Democratic proposal also includes $ 1 trillion for states facing severe revenue shortfalls, which could be further strained by the new USPS proposal. President Donald Trump and Republicans in the House of Representatives have run out of funding, and negotiations on the general package have stalled.
As the proposal progresses, it will still have to deal with a period of knowledge and commentary at the Post-Regulatory Commission, as well as possible legal challenges. It is unclear if the USPS could implement the proposal ahead of the 2020 elections, according to the report.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Approved the proposal try to “sabotage” the USPS for the elections. It comes amid growing concerns that savings by new Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, a top donor to President Donald Trump and the Republican Party, could affect the expected rise in postal voting in November.
“There are currently no deviating changes to the rates and classes of email affecting ballots,” the USPS said in a statement to Salon. “Furthermore, the baseless assertion that we intend to raise prices ahead of the upcoming presidential election to curb the vote by post is completely unfounded, and appalling. The Postmaster – General and the organization he leads are fully committed. to pursue our role in the electoral process. If public policy makers choose to use the post as part of their electoral system, we will do everything we can to deliver Election Mail on time, in accordance with our operational standards. “
Democratic leaders said last week that DeJoy “confirmed … contrary to previous denials” that the USPS had recently introduced “operational changes” that slowed mail delivery, potentially affecting the “running supply” of wages, medicines and post-in moods.
“Elections are sacred,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y., said after meeting with DeJoy last week. “Making cuts when votes – all votes – have to be counted. We can not say, ‘Oh, we’ll get 94% of them.’ It is not enough. “
First Chamber member Joe Manchin, DW.Va., also wrote to DeJoy with questions about media coverage of planned service cuts for post offices for the November elections, which are supported by reports from the union of postal workers.
Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., The top Democrat of the Commission on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, who oversees the USPS, launched a study last week to ‘get to the bottom of all the changes that the new postmaster general may direct that underline the postal service tradition of effective service. “
Shortly after Peters began the investigation, a memo released on Friday appeared that DeJoy had replaced the top two executives overseeing the day-to-day operations at the USPS, The Washington Post first reported. A new organization chart for the agency shows that 23 executives were “relocated or relocated.”
A source with “deep knowledge” of the management team told The Post that the changes “have led to a lot of scratching of the head,” because “we are not sure he has put the right players in the right places . “
Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., Called the changes a “Trojan Horse” and a “deliberate sabotage” of the postal system.
Connolly was one of nine Democrats to call postal inspector general Tammy Whitcomb to investigate DeJoy’s policies on Friday.
Given the continuing concerns about the adverse effects of the Trump administration’s policy on the quality and efficiency of the Postal Service, we ask that you review all operational changes that are in place by Mr. DeJoy and other Trump Administration officials by 2020, “said the letter, whose chief signatories Warren and rep. Carolyn Maloney, DN.Y., chaired the House committee on oversight.
The letter also asked the Inspector General to look into the finances of DeJoy and Mrs. Aldona Wos, the nominee for Trump to be the next ambassador to Canada, as the couple owns between $ 30 million and $ 75 million in assets in competitors to the USPS and its contractors.
DeJoy, who agreed to disclose any conflicts of interest following the takeover of the agency, said in a statement that he “has done what is necessary to ensure that I am and will remain in compliance with those obligations.”
“We want to welcome the Inspector General to take a look at the steps we are taking to make the Postal Service more efficient,” USPS spokesman David Partenheimer told The Post. “She will find that much of what we do is designed to address recommendations her office has made in recent years.”
But an investigation would not be enough for some Democrats, who called on DeJoy to resign.
“DeJoy’s baseless operational changes have already raped a beloved and essential agency, delayed mail, critical prescriptions for medicines for veterans, and seniors and other essential goods,” said Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., In a statement. “… DeJoy’s misguided collective efforts will suppress millions of emails and threaten the voting rights of millions of Americans, setting the stage for violations of our Constitution. It is imperative that we remove him from office and replace him immediately.”
Rep Alma Adams, DN.C., joined DeFazio in pleading for DeJoy’s removal.
“DeJoy continues his unconstitutional sabotage of our Postal Service with complete disregard for the promise of the establishment of ” safe and rapid transit of mail ‘and’ the prompt delivery of content, ” she said.” My friend Maya Angelou once said, ‘If someone shows you who they are, believe them for the first time.’ The Postmaster General has shown us on several occasions that he is working to dismantle a fundamental institution of our democracy. He must resign or be removed, now. “
