A heated congressional hearing saw Georgia Republican Rep. Rich McCormick clash with Postmaster General Louis DeJoy over the USPS's performance, leading to a dramatic moment where DeJoy covered his ears in mockery. McCormick criticized DeJoy's self-assessed 'A grade' for his tenure, citing the USPS's $10 billion loss in 2024. DeJoy defended his efforts to modernize the agency, while some lawmakers suggested the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency could help address the USPS's financial issues.
During a heated House Oversight Committee hearing, GOP Rep. Rich McCormick criticized Postmaster General Louis DeJoy for his handling of the U.S. Postal Service, accusing him of destroying public confidence and bankrupting the agency. DeJoy, who has been implementing a 10-year overhaul plan, defended his performance, even giving himself an 'A' for on-time delivery, which McCormick mocked. The exchange highlighted ongoing tensions between DeJoy and Congress over postal service reforms and financial issues.
Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff confronted U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy over persistent mail delays in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area, giving him a two-week ultimatum to fix the issue. DeJoy's 10-year plan to restructure the USPS has faced criticism for causing distress to constituents and potentially leaving rural areas without mail facilities. Ossoff expressed concern over the impact on constituents' ability to receive prescriptions, pay bills, and conduct business, and stated that he doesn't believe DeJoy is fit for the job. As postmaster general, DeJoy answers to the USPS Board of Governors, which could move to fire him once Democratic appointees have a majority.
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy acknowledges issues with on-time delivery in regions where USPS is implementing network modernization plans, but remains optimistic about the changes and expects service to stabilize by summer. The agency's network modernization plans are aimed at cutting costs and improving efficiency, but have faced criticism for causing service disruptions. USPS is also grappling with financial challenges and is seeking legislative relief to address its financial burdens.
Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff scolded USPS chief Louis DeJoy during a Senate committee hearing over nationwide postal delays, emphasizing the urgency of the situation and the impact on constituents, including delayed medications and bills. The Postal Regulatory Commission found alarming issues with service performance, finances, and efficiency, affecting Georgia, Virginia, and Texas. DeJoy attributed the issues to outdated infrastructure and underfunding, promising improvements in 60 days. Senators demanded transparency and specific information from DeJoy, expressing concern over the impact of facility upgrades on delivery times.
The US Postal Service has requested to increase the price of a first-class stamp from 68 cents to 73 cents, just three months after the last price hike. This proposal also includes a 3-cent jump for domestic postcards, a 10-cent jump for international letters, and unspecified hikes for certified mail and money order fees. If approved, the new prices would take effect on July 14, 2024, marking the second price increase in the year. The Postal Service seeks to become self-sufficient due to a $6.5 billion net loss reported for the 12 months ending Sept. 30, with stamp prices having jumped 36% over the last four years.
The New Hampshire congressional delegation has expressed concerns about potential changes at the USPS Manchester processing center, including the possible relocation of most mail processing operations to the Boston facility. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen emphasized the negative impact this could have on jobs and mail delivery in the state, particularly in rural communities. The delegation has requested more information and a rescheduling of the public feedback meeting, while a USPS spokesperson stated that there are currently no plans to close the facility but that it is being reviewed for potential operational changes.
The U.S. Postal Service reported a loss of $6.5 billion in its last fiscal year, contradicting earlier predictions of breaking even. The agency's 10-year plan, led by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, aimed to turn a profit through slower delivery standards and postage hikes. However, factors such as inflation and a decrease in mail volume hindered the plan's success. Critics argue that DeJoy's postage rate hikes have contributed to the decline in volume, exacerbating the USPS' financial situation. The agency is planning another postage rate hike in January, marking the fifth increase since 2021.
Louis DeJoy, the former postmaster general accused of attempting to subvert mail-in voting during the 2020 election, has now become a key player in President Biden's environmental agenda. DeJoy has partnered with John Podesta, a senior advisor to the president, to introduce 66,000 electric vehicles to the USPS fleet by 2028. This unlikely pairing aims to make the Postal Service the "greenest delivery company in the nation." Despite their collaboration, DeJoy's critics remain skeptical of his non-partisan stance, given his past ties to Trump and accusations of sabotaging mail delivery.
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy defended his reforms to Congress, acknowledging that the USPS is falling short of its goals but expressing optimism that his changes will stabilize its operations. DeJoy said that the USPS could see additional workforce reductions and may eliminate offerings it deems "too costly." He also highlighted his efforts to improve the workplace experience for USPS employees and vowed to identify new sources of revenue. However, lawmakers criticized DeJoy for taking an overly callous approach and expressed concern for the physical safety and wellbeing of postal carriers amid a recent surge in violence directed at them.
