USPS: House bill would hurt efforts to ‘improve service’

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is concerned that new House legislation addressing changes at the agency would ultimately lead to efforts to improve efficiency and reduce costs in the run-up to the 2020 presidential election.

“We are concerned that some of the requirements of the bill, while well-meaning, will limit the ability of the Postal Service to make operational changes that will improve efficiency, reduce costs, and ultimately service to the U.S. people improve, “USPS said in a statement released Sunday night.

“We reiterate that the Postal Service is fully capable and committed to delivering the nation’s election post safely and on time, and will do whatever is necessary to fulfill this sacred duty,” the USPS added, referring to mixed concerns about it. ability of the bureau to process what is likely to be a significant turnout in post-in ballot papers in this year’s elections.

The Democratic-led House on Saturday introduced a bill to stop USPS from implementing operational changes that reduce the speed of delivery of mail-in-votes amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The legislation, which largely went over party lines, came as a flight of change at USPS from newly appointed Postmaster General Louis DeJoyLouis DeJoyPostmaster General to Repeat First Chamber Opening Statement to Second Chamber Panel McConnell Rips Democrats for Passing ‘piece of postal bill’, ‘ignoring the urgent needs’ of Americans. USPS lost remnants of army, delay delivery, family says MORE increased alarms from lawmakers and state election officials. The House bill, which is unlikely to pass the House, would prevent USPS from removing post-sorting machines and limiting overtime until the pandemic is over, among other provisions.

It would also allocate $ 25 billion to postal service operations. House Democrats earlier this year included a similar funding provision for USPS in their coronavirus relief package, which Republicans rejected in the Senate.

Ahead of the House vote, DeJoy announced that he would suspend the austerity measures he implemented at the bureau until the election. Democrats, however, argued that he still needed to reverse some measures that caused delays in mail delivery.

DeJoy testified last week before a House committee that ensuring post-in-ballots are delivered at this year’s election ‘is’ his ‘number 1 priority’. He noted that postal delivery concerns were a “false story”, but did not promise to carry out major reforms until after election day.

DeJoy is set to testify before the House oversight and reform committee on Monday during a hearing focusing on similar concerns regarding postal delivery and the 2020 elections.