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You are here: Opinions Viewpoints Udall, Heinrich tell U. S. Postmaster to reverse changes, answer questions

Udall, Heinrich tell U. S. Postmaster to reverse changes, answer questions

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WASHINGTON,

D. C.—U.S. Se­nators Tom Udall, D-N.M., and Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., joined a group of 25 senators in a letter to U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, pressing him about recent changes to the U.S. Postal Service that caused delivery delays and increased costs for small businesses already struggling with lost revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic.

USPS is the “carrier of choice” for many small businesses that have fewer than 10 employees, which are among the most vulnerable small businesses. Over 70 percent of these vulnerable businesses regularly rely on the Postal Service. The majority of those use the service more frequently than other carriers. In the four months since DeJoy became Postmaster General, he has taken actions that have compromised mail service for all Americans and constructed yet another obstacle for small businesses struggling to survive the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Small businesses are the driving force of our economy, making up 99.7 percent of all firms in the U.S. with paid employees,” the senators wrote. “Many of these businesses have structured their business models around the U.S. Postal Service, which has long offered fast, reliable, and affordable service for their needs, from shipping products to sending paychecks to connecting with customers.

“Due to the ongoing pandemic, countless small businesses have shifted from brick and mortar operations to online ordering and delivery—intensifying the need for consistent, dependable postal services,” the senators continued. “Changes that you have instituted at the Postal Service threaten the financial well-being of small businesses and their employees. Since you directed operational changes in post offices and processing centers that restrict timely mail delivery, small businesses across the country are reporting significant delays after years of reliable service.

“The Postal Service is a critical service and lifeline for small businesses across the country and your actions are needlessly damaging a service that has reliably served our businesses and communities for decades,” the senators concluded. “We call on you to clarify the status of any initiatives you have implemented at the Postal Service and to reverse all changes you have made to operational services since becoming Postmaster General.”

The senators requested that DeJoy answer a series of questions regarding the purpose, procedure and effect of the recent changes he directed at USPS no later than Sept. 11.