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Good morning! It's Monday.
This is your daily reminder to contact your reps and advocate for the U.S. Postal Service.
A lot of new developments this week and a lot of skewed info from GOP making the rounds. Let's dig in... /1
This is your daily reminder to contact your reps and advocate for the U.S. Postal Service.
A lot of new developments this week and a lot of skewed info from GOP making the rounds. Let's dig in... /1
The House is coming back later this week to vote for a new law that will rollback Postmaster DeJoy's new policy changes that are delaying the mail. Read about Rep. Maloney's Delivering for America Act here: https://oversight.house.gov/news/press-releases/chairwoman-maloney-introduces-delivering-for-america-act-to-protect-delivery /2
DeJoy is also scheduled to testify before Congress next Monday, Aug 24. This is moved up from the original Sept date. Here, DeJoy will be under oath answering questions about his new policies that have slowed down the mail and devastated small biz, seniors, veterans & others. /3
DeJoy will have to answer to the recent removals of mailboxes & sorting machines. The timing is v suspect bc our election is right around the corner and bc of COVID, more people are expected to vote by mail than ever before. We are rightfully alarmed about DeJoy's new changes. /4
This is paired with Pres. Trump's inaccurate vote-by-mail fraud claims. Even asked about it this weekend, WH Chief of Staff Mark Meadows responded that despite no evidence of it, there's no evidence that it isn't happening. Seriously- what?! https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-chief-of-staff-mark-meadows-says-lack-of-evidence-of-mail-in-voting-fraud-is-the-definition-of-fraud /5
Other areas of govt are getting involved now, too. Several states' attorney generals are investigating DeJoy's actions as potential violations of state mail and voting laws. A criminal referral of DeJoy to the FBI was even made this morning. https://twitter.com/MikeDelMoro/status/1295312200605863936 /6
Also, the USPS Inspector General is finally taking a look at the ethical considerations here and DeJoy's serious conflicts of interest. He literally has at least $30M in USPS competitors and would benefit financially from privatizing the Post Office. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-postal-service-inspector-general-investigating-changes-post-offices/ /7
As a reminder: the USPS has the capacity to deliver our mail & mail-in ballots. They are professionals who work hard to serve the American people.
But by removing overtime, forcing delivery slowdowns, & removing necessary machinery, DeJoy is crippling the Post Office. /8
But by removing overtime, forcing delivery slowdowns, & removing necessary machinery, DeJoy is crippling the Post Office. /8
That is why the new House bill is so critical. To restore its reliable service, we need to hit pause on DeJoy's new USPS policies. A national election is not the time to be screwing around with mail. /9
Once this bill passes the House, it will be in the Senate. This is where a lot of the heavy lifting is involved. Two other House-passed bills are sitting in the Senate: USPS Fairness Act (removes pre-funding req) and HEROES Act (which incl. critical post office relief $) /10
Senate GOP are staunchly against the USPS. Many are parroting Trump's false talking points and are ignoring the pleas of their constituents who are without medication or whose livelihoods have been destroyed by DeJoy's new policies. Their inaction is unacceptable. /11
The Post Office does not receive taxpayer money. It's also not a business, it's a service. And yes, it is authorized by the U.S. Constitution. So it's in a very unique position. /12
Republicans have been trying to privatize it for awhile. The 2006 pre-funding law requires USPS to have 75-years-worth of retirement $ on hand. No other govt service, agency, or even private business is subject to a req like this. /13
USPS's finances were ruined b/c of this law. This means that for the past decade+, Republicans have pointed to USPS's dire finances as justification for its privatization. Don't fall for these bad-faith arguments. /14
Call to action: Please call your members of Congress. Every day. They really do keep tallies & persistence pays off. Ask them to support a pause on PMG DeJoy's new policies and an investigation. And ask them to support emergency USPS relief funds & removal of pre-funding req. /15
A lot is happening, and quickly, so maintaining pressure is critical. Spread the word, share your personal stories, & be kind to your local postal workers & letter carriers. Together, we can protect our democratic institutions against political cronies & bad actors. #SaveTheUSPS
