Democrats demand answers about USPS delays and question postmaster general’s leadership

In two separate letters sent to DeJoy and Biden this week, several Democratic lawmakers raised a series of complaints about the postmaster, who told people close to him that he wants to remain in office under the new president, two sources told CNN earlier this month. , despite his difficult management at the helm of the USPS and his experience as a supporter and donor of former President Donald Trump.

Together, the two letters underscore the party’s deep frustration with DeJoy, whose decisions in the race for the 2020 election were criticized by Democrats for damaging the USPS at a time when many Americans trusted him to vote by mail. Federal judges across the country issued unprecedented decisions to temporarily block DeJoy’s changes from being implemented before the elections.

“It is your duty, first of all, to protect the service and ensure timely delivery of correspondence to all people in this country,” 34 Democratic senators wrote to DeJoy on Wednesday, acknowledging that the USPS “fulfilled its obligations during the general elections. 2020 and carried out extraordinary measures to prioritize the timely delivery of electoral correspondence “, but concerns about delays in delivery persist.

The senators considered the delays related to Covid-19, as well as the high volume of correspondence and the reduction in the capacity of air transport and trucks, “reliable explanations”, but added: “The fact is that the leadership of the USPS has a responsibility to to prepare for these expected challenges. We question whether management has made the appropriate preparations, including sufficient temporary hiring and logistical planning. “

“We also question whether his decisions and guidelines continue to hinder the delivery of mail,” the senators put DeJoy, noting that he announced that further changes will take place soon.

“We demand that you do not make any additional changes that harm service to the American people. In addition, we ask that you be completely transparent with the public about Post Office operations and the reasons why they still face delays,” wrote the senators, listing a series of service questions for DeJoy to answer by February 26.

Although members of the House do not demand that the Biden administration completely eliminate the board, which would include Trump’s nominees still there, they ask the president to “submit nominations for the three vacant positions” so that the board can “function in a way more non-partisan and effective. ”

“We have no doubt that the postal service requires some careful reforms to continue to provide excellent service to the American people for years to come; however, there is plenty of evidence that Postmaster General DeJoy is not equipped to face the rigors of these challenges. “wrote the lawmakers.

“Filling vacancies on the Postal Governing Council with strong and passionate advocates for the institution will allow it to function in a non-partisan manner and will allow the Council to seriously consider whether the current Postmaster General is suitable to continue in his role.”

The letter also targeted DeJoy, with House Democrats noting that he was a “Republican Party megadonor … who had no experience working for the Post Office before his appointment”.

“Since Mr. DeJoy took office, he, under the pretext of enacting the necessary reforms, has rapidly transformed the postal service to the detriment of the Americans,” they said. “Critically, punctual delivery of flat mail has dropped dramatically.”

Getting rid of DeJoy is not a clean process. The president does not have the power to remove the Postmaster General. Only the Postal Board of Governors – made up of members appointed by the President and confirmed in the Senate – have the competence to do so, and DeJoy continues to count on the support of the board appointed by Trump.

But Biden has the power to nominate board members and send them to the Senate – now led by Democrats – for confirmation. Some lawmakers want Biden to go beyond filling empty seats and taking drastic measures, sacking the entire board.