CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The postmaster general is firing back against claims that controversial cuts were meant to impact mail-in voting for the 2020 election.
Louis DeJoy faced a Republican-led Senate committee for several hours Friday. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle questioned DeJoy about delays.
DeJoy defended changes and cost-cutting measures, saying the agency is expected to report a loss of more than $9 billion in 2020.
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He then called for Congress to pass legislation giving the Postal Service financial relief from the pandemic.
Meanwhile, the attorney’s general for North Carolina and five other states have officially filed a lawsuit against the postmaster general and the Postal Service. The lawsuit is aimed at blocking a reduction in mail service between now and the election.
Congresswoman Alma Adams has spent several days speaking with Charlotte postal workes.
The controversy surrounds funding, resources and facilities. That includes the distribution center near the Charlotte airport where workers claim seven sorting machines were removed within the last few weeks.
As the 2020 election ramps up, the Postal Service is an unexpected flashpoint.
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Critics of President Donald Trump claimed his administration is trying to discourage people from voting by mail. But the president’s supporters disagree.
“The Democrats are trying to politicize this,” Republican Sen. Thom Tillis said.
Tillis said in the past that absentee ballots are a great way to vote.
“The post office is improving their on-time delivery, and DeJoy wants to. It’s been in debt. DeJoy wants to make sure it has the best delivery and the best apparatus available in the United States,” Tillis said.
But since that interview, local postal workers have raised concerns over the removal of high-speed letter sorters and delayed delivery times.
The American Postal Workers Union met earlier this week, demanding answers about cuts to overtime and post office hours.
“We’re fighting for our jobs. We’re fighting to keep delivering the mail,” APWU President Miriam Bell said.
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Testifying Friday before a senate committee, DeJoy said machines and mailboxes that were removed won’t be replaced by the election, but he’s confident the Postal Service can do the job.
“The Postal Service is fully capable and committed to delivering the nation’s election mail securely and on time,” DeJoy said.
While he testified, Adams toured the Charlotte facility where those machines were removed. She didn’t offer comment but publicly said that she would lead the charge to impeach DeJoy if he broke the law.
The postmaster general is also set to testify in front of a House committee on Monday. But Congress will focus on the changes at the Postal Service over the weekend.