INSIDER
Multiple election offices report receiving mailed ballots misdirected from other states
Read full article: Multiple election offices report receiving mailed ballots misdirected from other statesThe Associated Press has found numerous instances of completed mail ballots from around the country being sent to election offices in the wrong state.
Postal Service reassures on mail ballots, says all centers operating in regions hit by hurricanes
Read full article: Postal Service reassures on mail ballots, says all centers operating in regions hit by hurricanesThe U.S. Postal Service says it has reopened all of its mail processing centers in areas of Florida and North Carolina hit by recent hurricanes.
Mail carriers reach tentative contract with USPS that includes pay raises and air-conditioned trucks
Read full article: Mail carriers reach tentative contract with USPS that includes pay raises and air-conditioned trucksSome 200,000 letter carriers have reached a tentative contract deal with the U.S. Postal Service that includes backdated pay raises and a promise to provide workers with air-conditioned trucks.
US lawmakers' concerns about mail ballots are fueled by other issues with mail service
Read full article: US lawmakers' concerns about mail ballots are fueled by other issues with mail serviceA contentious congressional hearing has shown that lawmakers are uneasy about the U.S. Postal Service's readiness for a crush of mail ballots for the November election because some of them feel burned by other Postal Service actions.
Postal Service chief frustrated at criticism, but promises 'heroic' effort to deliver mail ballots
Read full article: Postal Service chief frustrated at criticism, but promises 'heroic' effort to deliver mail ballotsThe U.S. Postal Service’s leader is expressing frustration with ongoing criticism of how it handles mail ballots.
Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff seeks more control over postmaster general after mail meltdown
Read full article: Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff seeks more control over postmaster general after mail meltdownAs the U.S. Postal Service faces delivery slowdowns, U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, a Democrat from Georgia, has proposed legislation to impose stricter oversight on who leads the agency.
Postal Service insists it's ready for a flood of mail-in ballots
Read full article: Postal Service insists it's ready for a flood of mail-in ballotsPostmaster General Louis DeJoy says he’ll work with state election officials to address concerns about mail-in ballots after they warned of persistent problems during the primary season.
Election officials warn that widespread problems with the US mail system could disrupt voting
Read full article: Election officials warn that widespread problems with the US mail system could disrupt votingElection officials across the U.S. are warning that problems with the nation’s mail delivery system threaten to disenfranchise voters in the upcoming presidential election.
US Postal Service squeeze on shipping consolidators could raise consumer costs
Read full article: US Postal Service squeeze on shipping consolidators could raise consumer costsThe U.S. Postal Service is ending discounts that shipping consolidators such as UPS and DHL use to get packages to the nation’s doorsteps, in a move meant to help the Postal Service slow losses but that could see the higher costs passed on to consumers.
State election directors fear the Postal Service can't handle expected crush of mail-in ballots
Read full article: State election directors fear the Postal Service can't handle expected crush of mail-in ballotsState election directors from across the country have voiced serious concerns to a top U.S. Postal Service official that the system won’t be able to handle an expected crush of mail-in ballots in the November election.
Letter carrier robberies continue as the US Postal Service, union and lawmakers seek solutions
Read full article: Letter carrier robberies continue as the US Postal Service, union and lawmakers seek solutionsThe number of robberies of postal carriers grew again last year and the number of injuries nearly doubled, even as the U.S. Postal Service launched crackdown aimed at addressing postal crime.
Postal Service, once chided for slow adoption of EVs, announces plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions
Read full article: Postal Service, once chided for slow adoption of EVs, announces plan to cut greenhouse gas emissionsThe U.S. Postal Service says a mix of environmental initiatives and cost-cutting business practices are going to reduce its planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030.
Shippers anticipate being able to meet holiday demand
Read full article: Shippers anticipate being able to meet holiday demandCarriers like the U.S. Postal Service, FedEx and United Parcel Service have capacity to meet projected demand this holiday season, which is cheery news for shoppers and shippers alike.
USPS touts crackdown on postal crime, carrier robberies, with hundreds of arrests
Read full article: USPS touts crackdown on postal crime, carrier robberies, with hundreds of arrestsThe U.S. Postal Service says law enforcement officials have charged more than 600 people with postal crimes since launching a crackdown in May.
Stamp of civil rights icon John Lewis unveiled in ceremony at the US Capitol
Read full article: Stamp of civil rights icon John Lewis unveiled in ceremony at the US CapitolCongressional leaders have unveiled a new stamp that commemorates former Rep. John Lewis, a civil rights icon who died in 2020 after serving more than three decades in Congress.
US Postal Service taking new steps to prevent carrier robberies, stolen mail
Read full article: US Postal Service taking new steps to prevent carrier robberies, stolen mailThe U.S. Postal Service is replacing thousands of antiquated keys used by postal carriers and installing thousands of high-security collection boxes to stop a surge in robberies and mail thefts.
US Postal Service touts performance during 2022 election
Read full article: US Postal Service touts performance during 2022 electionThe U.S. Postal Service says it delivered more than 54 million ballots during the midterm elections, with nearly 99% of ballots delivered to election officials within three days.
Postal Service pledges move to all-electric delivery fleet
Read full article: Postal Service pledges move to all-electric delivery fleetThe Postal Service says it will sharply increase the number of electric-powered delivery trucks in its fleet and will go all-electric for new purchases starting in 2026.
Federal judge faults Postmaster General DeJoy in mail delays
Read full article: Federal judge faults Postmaster General DeJoy in mail delaysA federal judge has set limits on one of the Postal Service’s cost-cutting practices that contributed to a slowdown of mail deliveries ahead of the 2020 presidential election.
Postmaster General says he's been cleared in federal probe
Read full article: Postmaster General says he's been cleared in federal probePostmaster General Louis DeJoy says the Justice Department has closed without criminal charges an investigation into political fundraising activity at his former business.
House Dems seek probe of USPS plan for new mail truck fleet
Read full article: House Dems seek probe of USPS plan for new mail truck fleetDemocrats on the House Oversight Committee are seeking an investigation into a U.S. Postal Service plan to replace its aging mail trucks with mostly gasoline-powered vehicles.
Michigan US Rep. Brenda Lawrence won't seek 2022 reelection
Read full article: Michigan US Rep. Brenda Lawrence won't seek 2022 reelectionU.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence says she plans to retire from Congress at the end of her term, becoming the 25th House Democrat to decide against seeking reelection in 2022.
Michigan AG joins multi-state complaint asking for USPS transparency on Postmaster General’s transformation plan.
Read full article: Michigan AG joins multi-state complaint asking for USPS transparency on Postmaster General’s transformation plan.The Attorney General has signed on to a multi-state complaint demanding a review of the DeJoy’s decade-long plan to transform the US postal service.
Rep. Brenda Lawrence concerned over how USPS changes will impact seniors, small businesses
Read full article: Rep. Brenda Lawrence concerned over how USPS changes will impact seniors, small businessesSeveral changes recently took effect at the United States Postal Service that will impact how you send and receive mail.
Critics: Postal Service plans imperil community newspapers
Read full article: Critics: Postal Service plans imperil community newspapersThe U.S. Postal Service’s plans to raise postage rates could present one more damaging blow to community newspapers already reeling from the coronavirus pandemic and advertising declines.
Postal Service looks to raise first-class stamp to 58 cents
Read full article: Postal Service looks to raise first-class stamp to 58 centsThe U.S. Postal Service wants to raises rates on first-class stamps from 55 cents to 58 cents as part of a host of price hikes and service changes designed to reduce debt for the beleaguered agency.
Restoring service central to Biden's postal board nominees
Read full article: Restoring service central to Biden's postal board nomineesPresident Joe Biden’s nominees to the governing board of the U.S. Postal Service are pledging to rebuild trust with the American public and ensure prompt deliveries.
Slower mail, fewer office hours part of Postal Service plans
Read full article: Slower mail, fewer office hours part of Postal Service plansUnited States Postal Service Postmaster General Louis DeJoy speaks during a House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing on "Legislative Proposals to Put the Postal Service on Sustainable Financial Footing" on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021, in Washington. United States Postal Service Postmaster General Louis DeJoy is left. Postal Service over persistent delivery delays under DeJoy, a major GOP donor who took over the agency last summer. He announced the plans at a webinar with other postal service officials. And those concerns remain.”DeJoy, a former supply-chain CEO who took over the Postal Service last June, has been mired in controversy since taking over the agency.
Trump endorses challenger against Georgia elections chief
Read full article: Trump endorses challenger against Georgia elections chief(Graeme Jennings/Pool via AP)ATLANTA – Former President Donald Trump on Monday endorsed a conservative Georgia congressman in his bid to unseat the Republican secretary of state who refused to help overturn the November election results. “Unlike the current Georgia Secretary of State, Jody leads out front with integrity. “Few have done more to cynically undermine faith in our election system than Jody Hice," Raffensperger said. “Every Georgian, in fact every American, has the right to be outraged by the actions and, simultaneously, the inaction of our Secretary of State,” Hice added. He was among the many Republican officials in Georgia who relentlessly pushed Trump’s false claims of voter fraud last fall.
Biden nominates 3 to postal board as delays persist
Read full article: Biden nominates 3 to postal board as delays persistUnited States Postal Service Postmaster General Louis DeJoy looks on during a House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing on "Legislative Proposals to Put the Postal Service on Sustainable Financial Footing" on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021, in Washington. (Graeme Jennings/Pool via AP)President Joe Biden on Wednesday nominated three postal experts to the governing board of the U.S. Postal Service, a move that could alter the course of an agency grappling with delivery delays and rumored cuts under its embattled Republican leader. A spokesman for the Postal Service said it "will welcome all qualified members to the Board of Governors." AdDeJoy and the board are finalizing a 10-year plan to revitalize the Postal Service, an independent agency with roots to the 18th century.
Election of Democratic chair portends change at post office
Read full article: Election of Democratic chair portends change at post officePostal Service's stretch of challenges didn't end with the November general election and tens of millions of mail-in votes. Postal Service Board of Governors, marking the first step in a potential shakeup under President Joe Biden. Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., a New Jersey Democrat, wants Biden to fire the entire Postal Service Board of Governors for what he called dereliction of duty. All of that mail helped the Postal Service improve its quarterly financial performance, officials said Tuesday. Fredric Rolando, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers, said the pandemic has given postal carriers an opportunity to shine.
Ocasio-Cortez leads lawmakers recalling Capitol siege
Read full article: Ocasio-Cortez leads lawmakers recalling Capitol siegeFILE - In this Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, file photo, U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., questions Postmaster General Louis DeJoy during a House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing on the Postal Service on Capitol Hill, in Washington. On Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, a teary-eyed Ocasio-Cortez recounted hiding in her office bathroom as a man repeatedly yelled Where is she?" during the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, and also revealed a sexual assault in her past as she talked about trauma. Phillips said that, as he heard the screams, he realized a pencil was about all he had for defense. Rep. Adriano Espaillat, D-N.Y., said that, as representatives in Congress, the attack against the Capitol was an attack on their constituents.
Ocasio-Cortez talks Capitol attack, past sexual assault
Read full article: Ocasio-Cortez talks Capitol attack, past sexual assaultOn Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, a teary-eyed Ocasio-Cortez recounted hiding in her office bathroom as a man repeatedly yelled Where is she?" during the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, and also revealed a sexual assault in her past as she talked about trauma. during the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, and also revealed a sexual assault in her past as she talked about trauma. When we go through trauma, trauma compounds on each other." Ocasio-Cortez said the atmosphere around the Capitol and Washington had started to feel more tense and volatile in the days before the insurrection.
US Sen. Gary Peters releases report on Postal Service changes, mail delays
Read full article: US Sen. Gary Peters releases report on Postal Service changes, mail delaysSenator Gary Peters released a report this week on changes to the United States Postal Service (USPS), also addressing mail delays. It is the sixth report since Peters launched an investigation in August. According to data from ShipMatrix, more than 6 million packages have been left sitting in shipping warehouses with days left before Christmas. We appreciate the patience of our customers and the efforts of employees as conditions change on a day-to-day basis.”Changes outlined in Peters’ report are not final yet. USPS leaders said they plan to detail their 2021 plans in the upcoming weeks.
Trump books will continue after Trump leaves office
Read full article: Trump books will continue after Trump leaves officeNEW YORK – One of publishing's most thriving genres of the past four years, books about President Donald Trump, is not going to end when he leaves office. In 2021 and beyond, look for waves of releases about the Trump administration and about the president's loss to Democratic candidate Joe Biden. “But there are tens of millions of Americans who look to the Trump presidency as an important time and are fans of his administration. Center Street, a Hachette Book Group imprint, has published Donald Trump Jr., Newt Gingrich and Judge Jeanine Pirro among others. Any publisher signing with Trump or a top administration official might face the anger not just of Trump critics among the general public, but from within the industry.
After judge's order, Postal Service sweep finds 13 ballots
Read full article: After judge's order, Postal Service sweep finds 13 ballotsPostal Service inspectors found just 13 ballots — all in Pennsylvania — during an Election Day sweep of mail processing centers ordered by a federal judge. The ballots were found in two separate mail processing facilities and were expedited for delivery to local election offices, according to court records filed Wednesday. U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan in Washington, D.C., had given the Postal Service until Tuesday afternoon to search 27 facilities in several battleground areas for outstanding ballots and immediately deliver any ballots discovered to election offices. Justice Department attorneys representing the Postal Service said they could not meet the judge's order without disrupting the agency's own Election Day operations. Instead, they are expedited directly to the boards of elections,” Postal Service spokesman Dave Partenheimer said.
EXPLAINER: Postal Service, judge at odds over ballot search
Read full article: EXPLAINER: Postal Service, judge at odds over ballot searchPostal Service says it can't meet a federal judge’s order to sweep processing centers for undelivered mail-in ballots. THE BACKGROUND:U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan's order came after weeks of bruising court decisions for an agency that has become heavily politicized under its new leader, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. Much of Sullivan’s order hinged on postal data showing roughly 300,000 mail-in ballots in several states had not received scans showing they had been delivered. The Postal Service said it had already conducted rounds of morning checks at all its processing hubs. Further, the agency said has been performing daily reviews of all 220 facilities handling election mail and planned another sweep hours before polling places closed Tuesday.
Judge orders Postal Service to take extraordinary measures in Detroit
Read full article: Judge orders Postal Service to take extraordinary measures in DetroitPostal Service facility in McLean, Va. A U.S. judge on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, blocked controversial Postal Service changes that have slowed mail nationwide. The judge called them "a politically motivated attack on the efficiency of the Postal Service" before the November election. Postal Service to take “extraordinary measures” to deliver ballots in time to be counted in Wisconsin and around Detroit, including using a priority mail service. “The Postal Service continues to implement extraordinary measures across the country to advance and expedite the delivery of the nation’s ballots." The states also sought to force the Postal Service to treat election mail as first-class mail.
Report finds Detroit has nation’s slowest mail delivery, raising concerns about absentee ballots
Read full article: Report finds Detroit has nation’s slowest mail delivery, raising concerns about absentee ballotsDETROIT – With hundreds of thousands of votes already cast, a recent report on the United States Postal Service found that Detroit has the slowest mail in the country. The issue is raising concern about whether ballots already in the mail will be counted by Election Day. New numbers from the United States Postal Service are raising alarm about absentee votes already in the mail. The data released by order of a federal judge showed Metro Detroit has the slowest average delivery nationwide stretching into October. Gretchen Whitmer spoke to Local 4 News on Sunday ahead of Election Day on Nov. 3.
Detroit mail delivery slowest in nation, USPS data shows
Read full article: Detroit mail delivery slowest in nation, USPS data showsAccording to the data, mail delivery in the Detroit region was about 15% slower than the national average during the first week of October, ranking the city at 67 out of 67 USPS regions. Mail delivery throughout the rest of Michigan was 0.5% slower than the national average. The national average mail delivery time has also dropped from 91% of on-time delivery to 86%. DeJoy has since rescinded several of those changes and has repeatedly attempted to reassure Americans that their completed absentee ballots will arrive on time. The recent mail delivery data has also raised alarms after a federal court of appeals overturned a ruling meant to combat mail delivery delays in Michigan.
Battleground postal delays persist with mail voting underway
Read full article: Battleground postal delays persist with mail voting underwayPostal Service records show delivery delays have persisted across the country as millions of Americans began voting by mail, raising the possibility of ballots being rejected because they arrive too late. Postal Service records show delivery delays have persisted across the country as millions of Americans are voting by mail, raising the possibility of ballots being rejected because they arrive too late. The agency also announced it will treat election mail as first-class, which had previously been an informal policy. Other battleground areas also showed problems in early October, with delivery rates of first-class mail below the national average. Postal delays also could compound existing issues that have cropped up in recent weeks as election officials manage the unpreceded surge in mail voting with deadlines looming.
Postal Service agrees to reverse service changes
Read full article: Postal Service agrees to reverse service changesPostal Service agreed Wednesday to reverse changes that slowed mail service nationwide, settling a lawsuit filed by Montana Gov. The agreement also requires the Postal Service to prioritize election mail. “The Postal Service was willing to resolve this matter because it has always been our goal to ensure that anyone who chooses to utilize the mail to vote can do so successfully,” said Postal Service spokesperson David Rupert in a statement. “This settlement underscores our unwavering commitment to that principle and to our important role in the nation’s electoral process.”The agreement comes after a federal judge temporarily blocked the controversial Postal Service changes on Sept. 17, calling the changes “a politically motivated attack on the efficiency of the Postal Service” before the November election. Postal Service.
Postal Service agrees to reverse service changes
Read full article: Postal Service agrees to reverse service changesPostal Service agreed Wednesday to reverse changes that slowed mail service nationwide, settling a lawsuit filed by Montana Gov. The agreement also requires the Postal Service to prioritize election mail. Postal Service did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. The agreement comes after a federal judge temporarily blocked the controversial Postal Service changes on Sept. 17, calling the changes “a politically motivated attack on the efficiency of the Postal Service” before the November election. Postal Service.
Vision 2020: Will mailed-in ballots be delivered on time?
Read full article: Vision 2020: Will mailed-in ballots be delivered on time?Postal officials have repeatedly said the agency has more than enough capacity to handle the surge of ballots this fall, and its leaders have committed to prioritizing election mail. Some policies are the subject of court cases and could change before Nov. 3, so voters should check with their local election officials if they're unsure. Then, not too long after DeJoy took over, Trump openly admitted he was starving the Postal Service of coronavirus relief money to make it harder for the agency to process ballots. Otherwise, return your ballot early and don't wait until the last few days. ___AP’s Advance Voting guide brings you the facts about voting early, by mail or absentee from each state: https://interactives.ap.org/advance-voting-2020.
US judge orders stop to Postal Service cuts, echoing others
Read full article: US judge orders stop to Postal Service cuts, echoing othersPHILADELPHIA – A federal judge in Philadelphia joined others Monday in ordering a halt to recent Postal Service cuts that critics say are causing mail delays and threatening the integrity of the presidential election. Postal Service itself that shows “a pronounced increase in mail delays across the country” since July, the judge found. The Postal Service, in response, called election mail the agency's “number one priority." Shapiro was joined in the Philadelphia case by attorneys general in California, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, North Carolina and the District of Columbia. In the Washington case, which involved several presidential election battleground states, U.S. District Judge Stanley Bastian said state officials had made a “strong showing” that the Trump administration was using the Postal Service “as a tool in partisan politics.”
Post office defends on claims that cuts threaten election
Read full article: Post office defends on claims that cuts threaten electionFILE - In this May 6, 2020, photo, United States Postal Service carrier Henrietta Dixon gets into her truck to deliver mail in Philadelphia. Postal Service that they say threaten the upcoming presidential election(AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)PHILADELPHIA – Lawyers for the U.S. Postal Service argued in court Thursday against accusations that service cuts are slowing down the mail and threatening the integrity of the presidential election. Lawyers for the Postal Service say headquarters never ordered a slowdown or overtime ban. They said the cuts also threaten the integrity of the upcoming election, given the expected widespread use of mail-in ballots across the country.
Records: Mail delivery lags behind targets as election nears
Read full article: Records: Mail delivery lags behind targets as election nearsHe said it was "to avoid even the appearance of impact on election mail." Federal judges have since ordered the Postal Service to halt all changes, although the agency said it is exploring its legal options. On-time delivery in northern Ohio, which includes Cleveland, dipped to as low as 63% in July before rising to 88% by the end of August. On-time delivery declined to as low as 79% for the Philadelphia area and to 67% for the central part of the state. Earlier this year, the Philadelphia district averaged 84.5% on-time delivery, according to the quarterly data.
Longtime ally to Trump's postal chief was paid by RNC
Read full article: Longtime ally to Trump's postal chief was paid by RNCWASHINGTON – A former executive who worked in the private sector for Postmaster General Louis DeJoy was recently paid by President Donald Trump's reelection effort, according to a new campaign finance disclosure. His contributions were part of more than $1.7 million that DeJoy and his employees steered to Republican candidates for federal and state office during those years, campaign finance disclosures show. Wos resigned in 2015, which came after a grand jury subpoenaed records from her agency, including her correspondence with Hauck. Dejoy and Wos have been prolific donors to Republican causes for years, including $1.2 million they gave to Trump. Postal Service has also drawn fierce criticism from Democrats, who argue that efficiency measures he implemented were actually an attempt to hamstring mail delivery to benefit Trump's political fortunes.
Judge: Postal Service must process election mail on time
Read full article: Judge: Postal Service must process election mail on timePostal Service to live up to its responsibilities to timely process election mail. The Monday, Sept. 21 written decision by Judge Victor Marrero came after several individuals including candidates for public office sued. Postal Service to process election mail. Officials at the Postal Service are reviewing the ruling, spokesperson Marti Johnson said in a written statement. “There should be no doubt, however, that the Postal Service is ready and fully committed to handling expected increased volumes of Election Mail between now and the conclusion of the November 3rd election,” the statement said.
US judge blocks Postal Service changes that slowed mail
Read full article: US judge blocks Postal Service changes that slowed mailPostal Service facility in McLean, Va. A U.S. judge on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, blocked controversial Postal Service changes that have slowed mail nationwide. Scott Applewhite, File)SEATTLE – A U.S. judge on Thursday blocked controversial Postal Service changes that have slowed mail nationwide, calling them “a politically motivated attack on the efficiency of the Postal Service” before the November election. Postal Service. They also sought to force the Postal Service to treat election mail as first class mail. “There's been a lot of confusion in the briefing and in the press about what the Postal Service has done,” Borson said.
States ask judge to reverse changes at US Postal Service
Read full article: States ask judge to reverse changes at US Postal ServiceFILE - In this April 2, 2020 file photo, a United States Postal Service worker makes a delivery with gloves and a mask in Warren, Mich. A group of states suing over service cuts at the U.S. Postal Service is asking a federal judge to immediately undo some of them, saying the integrity of the upcoming election is at stake. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya,File)SEATTLE – A group of states suing over service cuts at the U.S. Postal Service is asking a federal judge to immediately undo some of them, saying the integrity of the upcoming election is at stake. Michigan spent $2 million earlier this year on envelopes that met election mail standards — only to learn that the Postal Service wouldn't treat them as First Class mail.
Dem report: Postal Service changes delay prescription drugs
Read full article: Dem report: Postal Service changes delay prescription drugsFILE - In this Aug. 24, 2020, file photo, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy testifies during a House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing on the Postal Service on Capitol Hill in Washington. Postal Service operations, according to a report released Wednesday by Senate Democrats. The Postal Service had no immediate comment. In a letter to the Postal Service Board of Governors, the senators urged quick action to reverse these lapses in services," which they said "represent an ongoing public health threat.'' We know Louis DeJoy is sabotaging the Postal Service, Warren said.
House to investigate DeJoy possible campaign law violations
Read full article: House to investigate DeJoy possible campaign law violationsWASHINGTON House Democrats said Tuesday they will investigate whether Postmaster General Louis DeJoy encouraged employees at his business to contribute to Republican candidates and then reimbursed them in the guise of bonuses, a violation of campaign finance laws. Two former employees told the newspaper that DeJoy would later give bigger bonuses to reimburse for the contributions. Postal Service to immediately suspend DeJoy, whom they never should have selected in the first place.Monty Hagler, a spokesperson for DeJoy, told the Post that DeJoy was unaware that any workers felt pressure to make donations. Postal Service changes that some fear will slow delivery of mail-in ballots for the Nov. 3 elections. The House Oversight Committee recently subpoenaed DeJoy for records about widespread mail delivery delays that have pushed the Postal Service into the political spotlight.
Trump open to inquiry into DeJoy and campaign contributions
Read full article: Trump open to inquiry into DeJoy and campaign contributionsWASHINGTON President Donald Trump says he's open to an investigation of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy following published reports that former employees of DeJoy, a major donor to Trump and other Republicans, said they felt pressured to make campaign contributions to GOP candidates. Postal Service changes that some fear will slow delivery of mail-in ballots for the Nov. 3 elections. Asked if DeJoy should lose his job if a campaign finance scheme is uncovered, Trump replied: "Yeah, if something could be proven that he did something wrong, always. Monty Hagler, a spokesperson for DeJoy, told the Post that DeJoy was unaware that any workers felt pressure to make donations. The House Oversight Committee recently subpoenaed DeJoy for records about widespread mail delivery delays that have pushed the Postal Service into the political spotlight.
House subpoenas embattled Postal Service leader over delays
Read full article: House subpoenas embattled Postal Service leader over delaysDemocrats have been pushing for increased oversight of the Postal Service following DeJoy's operational changes and Trump's baseless claims that mail-in voting will lead to widespread fraud. A spokesman for the Postal Service said the agency will comply with its legal obligations. Separately, an audit from the inspector general of the Postal Service found that more than a million mail-in ballots were sent to voters late during the primary elections. Also, an analysis of political and election mail in seven Postal Service processing centers between April and June identified around 1.6 million mailpieces that were not delivered on time. We can, and will, handle the volume of election mail we receive," DeJoy told the House Oversight committee last week.
Post Office confessional: Major issue is at the Detroit sorting center
Read full article: Post Office confessional: Major issue is at the Detroit sorting centerThe following are a responses to ClickOnDetroits callout for recent experiences with the Post Office. When I kept tracking them it said they were at the post office in Madison heights. Company finally sent another pair.-- Anonymous in Shelby Township (ZIP: 48316)I have had several packages delayed in delivery. All my packages seem to arrive at Detroit Metro Sorting center and then disappear. I sent a package to Texas and it left my local post office, arrived at Detroit Sorting center and sat there for two weeks until I filed a missing package report.
Postal chief DeJoy has long leveraged connections, dollars
Read full article: Postal chief DeJoy has long leveraged connections, dollarsPostal Service Board of Governors was presented with 53 candidates vetted by an outside firm. Postal Service Board of Governors was presented with 53 candidates screened by an outside company. Mnuchin has said he had no involvement, though his heightened interest in the Postal Service has raised questions given Trump's focus on mail-in voting. Though DeJoy was a Trump donor, it remains unclear exactly how he emerged as the top contender to lead the Postal Service. In a fact sheet issued in response to Williams's claims, the Treasury said it plays an important role overseeing federal loans to the Postal Service.
Post Office confessional: Over a month to get to Michigan from California
Read full article: Post Office confessional: Over a month to get to Michigan from CaliforniaThe following is a response to ClickOnDetroits callout for recent experiences with the Post Office. I placed an order (shipping from California) on July 18, within 10 days they shipped it (via USPS). On August 6 tracking showed the package was 2 blocks from my house (not at the post office either). When I contacted the post office (the first time) I was told they contacted the last place it was scanned and they were waiting for a reply. I was told that they had to close the case but would continue to monitor my package.
Post Office confessional: ‘I had a package that was missing for 5 weeks'
Read full article: Post Office confessional: ‘I had a package that was missing for 5 weeks'The following is a response to ClickOnDetroit’s callout for recent experiences with the Post Office. There are weeks that I don’t receive mail for 4-plus days. Then there are weeks I get my mail almost every day. Back in April I had a package that was missing for 5 weeks. Have you missed a bill payment because you did not receive the mail on time?
Postal chief returns to Congress facing uproar over delays
Read full article: Postal chief returns to Congress facing uproar over delaysPostmaster General Louis DeJoy is declaring it's his "sacred duty" to ensure election mail delivery this fall. He has said he wants to block extra funds to the Postal Service. "Senate Republicans are committed to making sure the Postal Service remains well equipped to fulfill its important duties. Still, there were signs of bipartisan support for the Postal Service, one of the most popular government agencies with an approval rating above 90%. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., would provide the Postal Service with up to $25 billion to cover revenue losses or operational expenses resulting from COVID-19.
Rally held to protect Post Office in Royal Oak
Read full article: Rally held to protect Post Office in Royal OakROYAL OAK, Mich. From Washington to Royal Oak -- people rallied to demand Congress do something to protect the Post Office. People from all over Metro Detroit protested in Royal Oak Saturday. They said not only is the Post Office essential for democracy in November, but also to their every day lives. Postal Service operations and send $25 billion to shore up the agency ahead of the November election. Read: Post Office Confessionals
Thousands of chicks arrive dead to farmers amid USPS turmoil
Read full article: Thousands of chicks arrive dead to farmers amid USPS turmoilPORTLAND, Maine At least 4,800 chicks shipped to Maine farmers through the U.S. Postal Service have arrived dead in the recent weeks since rapid cuts hit the federal mail carrier's operations, U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree said. The Postal Services media contact for the Eastern U.S. did not immediately return a Press Herald reporters message Wednesday. The Postal Service is the only entity that ships live chicks and other small animals and has done so since 1918, according to the services website. Rural Americans, including agricultural producers, disproportionately rely on USPS for their livelihoods, and it is essential that they receive reliable service, Pingree said.
Thousands of chicks arrive dead to farmers amid USPS turmoil
Read full article: Thousands of chicks arrive dead to farmers amid USPS turmoilPORTLAND, Maine At least 4,800 chicks shipped to Maine farmers through the U.S. Postal Service have arrived dead in recent weeks after rapid cuts hit the federal mail carrier's operations, U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree said. Postal Service. The Postal Service is the only entity that ships live chicks and other small animals and has done so since 1918, according to the services website. Rural Americans, including agricultural producers, disproportionately rely on USPS for their livelihoods, and it is essential that they receive reliable service, Pingree said.
Postal Service halts some changes amid outcry, lawsuits
Read full article: Postal Service halts some changes amid outcry, lawsuitsSeveral vowed they would press on, keeping a watchful eye on the Postal Service ahead of the election. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is pushing ahead with Saturdays vote to prevent election-year mail changes and provide emergency postal funds. A Postal Service spokesman declined to comment beyond DeJoys statement. Ferguson and Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced they were leading collections of other states in suing to block service changes at the Postal Service, just as the postmaster was making his own statement Tuesday. The Postal Service is among the nations oldest and more popular institutions.
Michigan joining lawsuit to challenge post office changes
Read full article: Michigan joining lawsuit to challenge post office changesLANSING, Mich. The state of Michigan is joining other states in suing the U.S. Postal Service over service changes, Attorney General Dana Nessel said Tuesday. A lawsuit was in the works Tuesday in federal court in Washington state, although Postmaster General Louis DeJoy also announced that he was suspending certain changes until after the fall election. Nessel and attorneys general in other states said significant changes must face a public comment period and go to the Postal Regulatory Commission. Related: Ballot drop boxes seen as a way to bypass the post office
Post Office confessionals: Share your experiences with the mail
Read full article: Post Office confessionals: Share your experiences with the mailPostmaster General Louis DeJoy has announced that he was suspending certain changes until after the fall election while complaints about the mail have been piling up for weeks. Have you experienced a delay with your mail -- either sending or receiving it? Has a loved one not received his or her medicine through the mail on time? Have you missed a bill payment because you did not receive the mail on time? Please let us know with as much detail as possible:Related:
Amid outcry, postmaster general to testify before House
Read full article: Amid outcry, postmaster general to testify before HouseFILE - In this Aug. 5, 2020, file photo Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, left, is escorted to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office on Capitol Hill in Washington. The Postal Service said it has stopped removing mailboxes and mail-sorting machines amid an outcry from lawmakers. I have encouraged everybody: Speed up the mail, not slow the mail.Embattled Postmaster General Louis DeJoy will testify next Monday before Congress, along with the chairman of the Postal Service board of governors. The package will also include $25 billion to shore up the Postal Service, which faces continued financial losses. "Dont tell me or others that youre just trying to make the post office make money.
Postmaster general to appear before Senate over mail delays
Read full article: Postmaster general to appear before Senate over mail delays(AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)WASHINGTON Backlash mounting, President Donald Trump's embattled Postmaster General Louis DeJoy will appear Friday before the Senate to testify on mail delivery delays and service changes that lawmakers and others are warning could imperil the November election. The top Democrat on the Homeland Security panel seeking DeJoy's testimony called the Postal Service a lifeline to Americans. The package will also include $25 billion to shore up the Postal Service, which faces continued financial losses. The Postal Service said it has stopped removing mailboxes and mail-sorting machines following complaints from lawmakers and customers. Meanwhile, the Postal Service is seeking a short-term rate increase that would raise prices on commercial domestic competitive parcels, including Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, first-class package service, Parcel Select and Parcel Return Service.
Postmaster General: USPS mail-delaying initiatives paused until after Nov. election
Read full article: Postmaster General: USPS mail-delaying initiatives paused until after Nov. electionPostal Service (USPS) initiatives that could impact the timely delivery of absent voter ballots for the November election are being paused until the election is complete. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said in a statement Tuesday that in an effort to avoid even the appearance of any impact on election mail, the USPS will continue its services as normal through the end of the election cycle. Record numbers of absent voter ballots have been requested and issued in Michigan and across the country for this years elections. The Postal Service is ready today to handle whatever volume of election mail it receives this fall, DeJoy said Tuesday. More: Q&A: Whats happening at the US Postal Service, and why?
Senate Republicans preparing $500B virus relief proposal
Read full article: Senate Republicans preparing $500B virus relief proposalWASHINGTON Senate Republican leaders are preparing a slimmed-down virus relief package of roughly $500 billion that will include extended payments for unemployed people and smaller businesses, a GOP senator said Tuesday. Negotiations over a far larger coronavirus relief bill are expected to resume after Labor Day between the White House and top congressional Democrats. Democrats want to continue the added $600 in payments, but Trump and congressional Republicans have pushed for less. A second GOP Senate aide said the new proposal includes $105 billion for education. The Democratic-led House approved a $3 trillion relief plan in May, while Senate Republicans offered a $1 trillion package.
Michigan postal workers express concern about current working conditions
Read full article: Michigan postal workers express concern about current working conditionsTlaibs spoke in response to the recent statement from Postmaster General Louis DeJoy about concerns of current conditions inside post offices nationwide and worries about mail in ballots. DeJoy released a statement stating, The postal service is ready today to handle whatever volume of election mail it receives this fall.But the changes were already made. We stand before the United States Postal Service to say, heroes work here and we have your back, said Rep. Haley Stevens. People who work for the United States Postal Service have come to work, have put themselves at risk, in order to meet the commitment, said Rep. Dan Kildee. Several voters are concerned that the ballots wont be counted but Benson said theyre working to make sure that wont happen.
House Dems summon postal leaders to hearing on mail delays
Read full article: House Dems summon postal leaders to hearing on mail delaysFILE - In this Aug. 5, 2020, file photo Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, left, is escorted to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)BEDMINSTER, N.J. The Democratic-run House on Sunday demanded that leaders of the U.S. Postal Service testify at an emergency oversight hearing Aug. 24 on mail delays as concerns grow that the Trump White House is trying to undermine the agency during the coronavirus pandemic while states expand mail-in voting options for the November presidential election. The House Oversight and Reform Committee said it wants to hear from new Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and from the chair of the Postal Service board of governors, Robert Duncan. On Saturday, Trump tried to massage his message, saying he supports increasing money for the Postal Service.
Peters calls for urgent Senate hearing on Postal Service changes and delivery delays
Read full article: Peters calls for urgent Senate hearing on Postal Service changes and delivery delaysDETROIT On Sunday, US Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), ranking member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, called for an urgent hearing on Aug. 21. The hearing is to address recent changes Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has directed that have left Americans in Michigan and across the country struggling with delayed mail deliveries. Postal Service, to swiftly convene a hearing and call DeJoy and Robert Duncan, Chairman of the Postal Service Board of Governors, to give sworn testimony about recent directives and their effects on postal customers across the country. It is imperative that Mr. DeJoy publicly and comprehensively testify about changes and planned changes taking place at the U.S. Postal Service, since the Postal Service is a public institution that both serves and belongs to every person in our nation.
Post Office warns states across US about mail voting
Read full article: Post Office warns states across US about mail votingVoters and lawmakers in several states are also complaining that some curbside mail collection boxes are being removed. Postal Service is sufficiently prepared to fulfill.Meanwhile, the removal of Postal Service collection mail boxes triggered concerns and anger in Oregon and Montana. All three members of Montanas congressional delegation two of whom are Republican raised concerns about the removal of mail boxes in letters sent to Postmaster DeJoy. Postal Service spokesperson Ernie Swanson said the Oregon removals were due to declining mail volume and that duplicate mail boxes were taken from places that had more than one. The Postal Service said four mail boxes were removed in Portland this week.
Postal Service warns states across US about mail voting
Read full article: Postal Service warns states across US about mail votingPostal Service that it may be unable to deliver some mail-in ballots in the November presidential election by the deadline in state law. Voters and lawmakers in several states are also complaining that some curbside mail collection boxes are being removed. Postal Service is sufficiently prepared to fulfill.”Meanwhile, the removal of Postal Service collection mailboxes triggered concerns and anger in Oregon and Montana. Postal Service spokesperson Ernie Swanson said the Oregon removals were due to declining mail volume and said duplicate mailboxes were taken from places that had more than one. The Postal Service said four mailboxes were removed in Portland this week.
Trump admits he's blocking postal cash to stop mail-in votes
Read full article: Trump admits he's blocking postal cash to stop mail-in votesPostal Service of money in order to make it harder to process an expected surge of mail-in ballots, which he worries could cost him the election. He's pairing the tough Postal Service stance in congressional negotiations with an increasingly robust mail-in-voting legal fight in states that could decide the election. That followed legal maneuvers in battleground Pennsylvania, where the campaign hopes to force changes to how the state collects and counts mail-in ballots. That figure, which would include money to help with election mail, is down from a $25 billion plan in a House-passed coronavirus measure. Judy Beard, legislative and political director for the American Postal Workers Union, said postal workers are up to the task of delivering mail-in ballots this year.
Lawmakers: Postal changes delay mail-order medicine for vets
Read full article: Lawmakers: Postal changes delay mail-order medicine for vetsPostal Service facility in McLean, Va. Postal Service. Postal Service are taking a toll on military veterans, who are reporting much longer wait times to receive mail-order prescription drugs, according to Democratic senators. The lawmakers called on DeJoy to reassess the impact of the postal changes on veterans and urged him to work with VA Secretary Robert Wilkie to reduce delays. Those who gave so much to serve this country should be able to count on the nations Postal Service to deliver their medications in a timely manner, the lawmakers wrote Friday.
Democratic lawmakers demand answers over postal service delivery delays
Read full article: Democratic lawmakers demand answers over postal service delivery delaysDETROIT – US Democratic Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan and postal workers are accusing Postmaster General Louis DeJoy of forcing workers to leave their work unfinished in order to slow down mail service. In a press conference Monday morning, Peters noted that he has heard from hundreds of Michigan residents who say they have had sudden delays in vital mail service. She criticized DeJoy and President Donald Trump saying without a working mail service the November election is in danger. But as the pandemic continues Michiganders have increasingly relied on the mail service for vital needs including Michelle Brown who spoke to reporters about her husband missing a medication delivery. Peters has set up a specific website for people to send in their stories about mail delays as the pandemic continues.
Senator launches investigation into Postal Service delays
Read full article: Senator launches investigation into Postal Service delaysPostal Service that are causing delays in mail deliveries across the country just as big volume increases are expected for mail-in election voting. Trump, a vocal critic of the Postal Service, contended Wednesday that "the Post Office doesnt have enough time to handle a significant increase in mail-in ballots. Democrats are calling for the Postal Service to rescind the restrictions on overtime and other operational changes, and they have pushed for $10 billion for the Postal Service in talks with Republicans on a huge COVID-19 response bill. David Partenheimer, a spokesman for the Postal Service, declined to comment on DeJoys meeting with Democrats. Partenheimer disputed reports that the Postal Service is slowing down election mail or any other mail.