The delay of the “high season” continued “despite the tireless efforts of postal workers,” write the senators, who say they have an impact on the delivery of important mail, such as prescription drugs and rent payments.
The senators called Covid-19 delays, as well as the large amount of mail and reduced air and truck capacity, ‘credible statements’, but added:’ the fact remains that the USPS leadership was responsible to prepare for these expected challenges. We question whether the management has made adequate preparations, including adequate temporary appointment and logistical planning. ‘
“We also question whether your decisions and regulations continue to hinder email delivery,” the senators told DeJoy, noting that he had announced that further changes would be made soon.
“We demand that you do not make any additional changes that would harm the service to the American people. In addition, we urge you to be fully transparent with the public about the postal services and the reasons why they continue to face delays, “wrote the senators. a series of questions about service that DeJoy must answer by February 26th.
Although members of the House do not call on the Biden government to wipe out the council, which includes the Trump nominees who are still there, they are asking the president to submit nominations for the three vacancies. posts ‘so that the council’ can function in a more impartial, effective way. ‘
‘We have no doubt that the postal service needs some thoughtful reforms to continue to provide excellent service to the American people in the years to come; however, there is an abundance of evidence that Postmaster General DeJoy is not equipped to meet the challenges. of these challenges, ‘the legislators wrote.
“By filling the vacant seats on the Board of Governors of the Postal Service with strong, passionate advocates for the institution, it can function in a non-partisan manner, and will allow the Board to seriously consider whether the current postmaster- is generally fit to continue in his role. ”
The letter also addressed DeJoy directly, with the House Democrats noting that he was a “Republican Party megadonor … who had no experience working for the Postal Service prior to his appointment.”
“Since Mr. DeJoy took office, he has been rapidly transforming the postal service under the guise of the necessary reforms to the detriment of the Americans,” they said. “The critical delivery of flat mail has plunged critically.”
Getting rid of DeJoy is not a cleansing process. The president does not have the power to remove the postmaster general. Only the Board of Governors of the Postal Service – which consists of members nominated by the president and confirmed in the Senate – has the power to do so and DeJoy still has the support of the Trump-appointed board.
But Biden has the power to nominate board members and send them to the Senate – which is now led by Democrats – for confirmation. Some lawmakers want Biden to go beyond filling vacancies, and take drastic steps by firing the entire board.