U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY), Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Let America Vote Action Fund President Tiffany Muller, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights President and CEO Vanita Gupta, and People For the American Way President Ben Jealous today on a press conference call urged Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to follow the House’s lead and bring the Senate back into session to vote on critical U.S. Postal Service (USPS) legislation written by Peters that would support the agency and counter damaging operational changes that have slowed mail delivery and put voting rights at risk ahead of this November’s election.
Following the call, the USPS Postmaster General Louis DeJoy announced that the government agency will pause some procedures causing mail delays until after the election. The Senators and advocates are calling for passage of Peters’ bill to ensure the USPS reverses the harmful changes recently instituted.
“Senate Democrats will not allow a Republican donor and Trump ally with no experience in the Postal Service to undermine this essential government service by preventing our seniors, veterans, and small biz owners from receiving and delivering their packages on time, and from making sure their vote is counted,” said Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY). “We need a permanent rescission of all of Postmaster DeJoy’s harmful policies and we’re going to use every tool in our toolbox to make it happen, because this is so vital to the health, well-being, and electoral sanctity of our country.”
“Since launching my investigation, I’ve heard from over 7,300 people across the country about how postal delays are harming them. It’s clear that the new policies directed by Postmaster General DeJoy have hurt people who use the Postal Service as a lifeline for everyday needs,” said Senator Peters, Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. “That’s why I’m going to continue fighting to protect the Postal Service and get to the bottom of this, and I’m pleased that our committee will be holding a hearing with Postmaster General DeJoy this week.”
“The Trump Administration is undermining the postal service as a direct way to suppress the vote,” said Let America Vote Action Fund President Tiffany Muller. “Trump’s handpicked Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, who is a Trump mega donor and the former finance chair of the Republican Convention, told states that they might need to pay nearly triple the postage rate for election ballots. That is an obscene attack on democracy, and it is devastating for Americans who rely on the mail for everything from prescription drugs to running their small businesses. Months ago, the House passed funding to help the post office through the pandemic along with resources for states to make voting safer and more accessible during the pandemic. It’s time for Mitch McConnell to put the good of the country and the health of America first and pass this bill in the Senate, and provide the funding that the USPS and our election officials need.”
“The postmaster general’s announcement is a step in the right direction but offers no commitment to rectify the harms of the unnecessary actions already taken. The USPS is essential to the functioning of our democracy. Millions of people depend on the Postal Service to deliver essential medications and daily necessities in a timely manner, especially during a pandemic,” said Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. “Congress must immediately vote to allocate $25 billion to support the Postal Service and provide $3.6 billion to state and local governments to fund our elections. From delivering paychecks to census forms to mail-in ballots, the Postal Service is a key part of our democracy. We must remain vigilant and take all necessary steps to protect the vital services provided by USPS.”
“We are witnessing a code red moment for our democracy. The President and Postmaster General are attacking the Postal Service in an attempt to steal an election. It is profoundly corrupt and cowardly. It is also profoundly cruel. We are in the midst of a pandemic and the Postal Service is the safest way for millions of Americans to not only cast their ballot but also receive their medicine and their benefit checks. Simply put, this Trump attack on the Post Office cuts our nation and its people deep,” said People For the American Way President Ben Jealous.
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