Peters Grills Postmaster General DeJoy on Mail Delivery Delays
After Receiving more than 7,500 Complaints, Peters Releases Update on Investigation into how Delays are Harming Michiganders, Americans
DETROIT, MI – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, grilled Postmaster General Louis DeJoy at today’s committee hearing over recent changes that have left people in Michigan and across the country struggling with delayed mail deliveries. The hearing – which Peters pressed for and secured – focused on recent operational changes DeJoy directed at the Postal Service that have caused mail delays. Earlier this month, Peters launched an investigation into reports of significant increases in mail delays, and has since received more than 7,500 complaints from people in Michigan and across the country who have seen harmful mail delays under DeJoy’s tenure.
“For more than two centuries, Americans have been able to count on the Postal Service. But in less than two months as Postmaster General – you have undermined one of our nation’s most trusted institutions and wreaked havoc on families, veterans, seniors, rural communities and people across our country,” said Peters in his opening statement. “The country is anxious about whether the damage you have inflicted so far can be quickly reversed, and what other plans you have in store that could further disrupt or damage reliable, timely delivery from the Postal Service.”
At the hearing, Peters pressed DeJoy on how these delays have affected Michiganders, citing reports of delayed medication, lost customers and revenue for small businesses and challenges voting by mail. Peters also shared the stories of constituents whose health and businesses have been severely impacted by delays, including a constituent who was hospitalized after having to ration her medication when her refill did not arrive by mail on time.
To watch video of Senator Peters’ opening remarks, click here.
To watch video of Senator Peters questioning Postmaster General DeJoy, click here.
To watch video of Senator Peters’ closing remarks, click here.
During the hearing, Peters also released an update on his investigation into delivery delays and the serious impacts they have had on seniors, veterans, small businesses, rural residents and others who count on the Postal Service for timely delivery.
READ THE INVESTIGATION UPDATE: “Interim Report on the Threat of Postmaster General DeJoy’s Postal Service Delays.”
As Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Peters has fought to protect the Postal Service and its 245-year tradition of reliable, timely delivery. Peters has pressed DeJoy on how service changes and delays are preventing veterans from receiving their prescription medications through the Department of Veterans Affairs’ mail-order pharmacy service. Peters introduced legislation to block the Postmaster General from making any changes that would disrupt service for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency. Peters also called on the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors to immediately reverse changes made by DeJoy that degrade or delay postal operations and mail delivery, through their authority under the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970.
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