Underwood in Usps Oversight Hearing: "since Mr. Dejoy Became Postmaster General, Postal Casework in My Office Has Quadrupled."
Statement
Today, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) pushed U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy on the steep decline in United States Postal Service (USPS) delivery reliability in Illinois, and troubling policies introduced by DeJoy that undermine the service. The remarks were part of a field hearing in Chicago held by the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, Subcommittee on Government Operations to address the concerns raised by constituents and ensure accountability. Underwood underscored that Postmaster General DeJoy's actions to undermine of the Postal Service harms postal workers, small businesses, and veterans and are part of a systematic effort to degrade one of the most popular government services. Underwood urged her colleagues to pass legislation, such as the USPS Fairness Act, to protect the institution.
"The drastic drop in delivery standards that Illinois has seen under Postmaster General DeJoy's leadership is unacceptable. Seniors and veterans have seen critical medications arrive dangerously late; Small businesses have been hobbled by slow and unreliable delivery; Families separated by a pandemic are missing opportunities to connect," said Underwood in the hearing. " I look forward to working with my colleagues here to conduct oversight and pass legislation to protect, strengthen, and modernize the Postal Service."
Underwood has been a strong supporter of the USPS. Underwood supported the passage of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021, which provided $10 billion in emergency relief for USPS. In August 2020, Underwood supported the House passage of the Delivering for America Act (H.R. 8015), which would have prohibited the Postal Service from implementing any changes to the operations or level of service it had in place on January 1, 2020. Additionally, Underwood joined Senator Durbin in a letter expressing concerns about delays in letter and parcel deliveries in Illinois.
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