Washington, D.C. (Aug. 3, 2020)—Today, Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, the Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, announced that the Committee has invited Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to a hearing in September to examine operational changes to the U.S. Postal Service.
“The Committee on Oversight and Reform requests your testimony at a hearing to examine recent changes to U.S. Postal Service operations and standards and the need for on-time mail delivery during the ongoing pandemic and upcoming election, which as you know may be held largely by mail-in ballot,” Chairwoman Maloney wrote in the invitation letter.
Chairwoman Maloney explained in today’s letter that the Committee intended to have the hearing this week, but the Postmaster General was not able to attend due to a meeting of the Board of Governors. In an effort to accommodate the Postmaster General’s schedule, the Committee has confirmed he is available to appear at a new date in September.
On July 20, 2020, Chairwoman Maloney, Government Operations Subcommittee Chairman Gerald E. Connolly, National Security Subcommittee Chairman Stephen F. Lynch, and Committee Member Brenda Lawrence sent a letter to the Postmaster General regarding documents that appeared to outline operational changes to the Postal Service.
“While these changes in a normal year would be drastic, in a presidential election year when many states are relying heavily on absentee mail-in ballots, increases in mail delivery timing would impair the ability of ballots to be received and counted in a timely manner—an unacceptable outcome for a free and fair election,” the Members wrote.
The Members continued, “In addition to the swift nature and negative impacts of these reported changes, the Postal Service did not consult with any relevant unions, the mailing and package industry, or other stakeholders before taking these drastic actions. The Postal Service also failed to consult with relevant Members of Congress who are in ongoing negotiations over additional financial support and possible reform legislation for the Postal Service.”
The Postal Service responded to the Committee by stating that these changes had not, “originated from Postal Service Headquarters”, and “should not be treated as official statements on Postal Service policy.”
Last week, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 7617, which included an amendment offered by Chairwoman Maloney, to stop the new Postmaster General’s drastic changes to the Postal Service from being implemented and maintain the mail service Americans deserve.
The hybrid hearing has been scheduled for 10 a.m. on Thursday, September 17, 2020, in room 2154 of the Rayburn House Office Building, and a livestream will be available on the Committee website.