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Good morning, all -
ICYMI - DeJoy is testifying in front of Senate Homeland Security at 9:00 AM eastern.
Soon-to-be live feed here:
https://www.c-span.org/video/?474940-1/senate-hearing-us-postal-service
ICYMI - DeJoy is testifying in front of Senate Homeland Security at 9:00 AM eastern.
Soon-to-be live feed here:
https://www.c-span.org/video/?474940-1/senate-hearing-us-postal-service
Remember: if you have a story to share on #USPS slowdowns, ranking member Senator Peters wants to hear it: https://www.peters.senate.gov/postal
Related: a USPS employee just called into CSPAN to counter Kevin Kosar of R Street's incorrect information re: #USPS.
I can't say how much I appreciate the employees who are publicly speaking up, especially in light of the memo that went out. We see and support you.
I can't say how much I appreciate the employees who are publicly speaking up, especially in light of the memo that went out. We see and support you.
Update: here's another feed for the DeJoy testimony.
It looks like CSPAN, PBS News Hour are running behind, but CNN has already started airing the hearing. Ranking member Peters currently speaking.
It looks like CSPAN, PBS News Hour are running behind, but CNN has already started airing the hearing. Ranking member Peters currently speaking.
DeJoy now giving opening remarks.
Worth noting: Chairman Johnson claimed DeJoy was appointed by a "bipartisan" USPS Board of Governors, but every member was appointed by Trump - check the bios. https://about.usps.com/who/leadership/board-governors/
So, that's the line the GOP is apparently going with today.
Worth noting: Chairman Johnson claimed DeJoy was appointed by a "bipartisan" USPS Board of Governors, but every member was appointed by Trump - check the bios. https://about.usps.com/who/leadership/board-governors/
So, that's the line the GOP is apparently going with today.
DeJoy is claiming Congress needs to do something about USPS's retirement benefits.
Well, guess what! They have - the House passed @RepPetereDeFazio's bipartisan #USPS Fairness Act in February: https://federalnewsnetwork.com/agency-oversight/2020/02/house-passes-smaller-usps-reform-bill-to-eliminate-pre-funding-benefits/
So, that's what DeJoy is going w/ today too, I guess.
Well, guess what! They have - the House passed @RepPetereDeFazio's bipartisan #USPS Fairness Act in February: https://federalnewsnetwork.com/agency-oversight/2020/02/house-passes-smaller-usps-reform-bill-to-eliminate-pre-funding-benefits/
So, that's what DeJoy is going w/ today too, I guess.
DeJoy: "In my 67 days as Postmaster General..."
I hope House Dems preparing for Monday's Oversight hearing ( https://oversight.house.gov/activity ) are doing an accounting of the $ value already caused in terms of destructive damage in these 67 days, e.g. https://www.politico.com/news/2020/08/20/farmers-chicks-arrive-dead-usps-399372
I hope House Dems preparing for Monday's Oversight hearing ( https://oversight.house.gov/activity ) are doing an accounting of the $ value already caused in terms of destructive damage in these 67 days, e.g. https://www.politico.com/news/2020/08/20/farmers-chicks-arrive-dead-usps-399372
Johnson now asking DeJoy to explain the removal of blue boxes, claiming this is a normal action.
Important to note: my USPS NALC union contact explained in a Zoom call on Wednesday, yes - boxes are retired due to lack of use. But removal en masse like this is *highly unusual*.
Important to note: my USPS NALC union contact explained in a Zoom call on Wednesday, yes - boxes are retired due to lack of use. But removal en masse like this is *highly unusual*.
She pointed out - think of all of the blue boxes you might have seen in your neighborhoods throughout your day-to-day lives.
How often have you seen boxes visibly disappear like this across multiple locations?
How often have you seen boxes visibly disappear like this across multiple locations?
- to customers. They're now seeing mail sit in offices, simply because it hasn't made this now hard cut-off time.
I know I already shared Politico's story about chicks being delayed, but here's the LAT coverage, which gets into how mail is delayed - https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-08-20/usps-cutbacks-post-office-chaos
I know I already shared Politico's story about chicks being delayed, but here's the LAT coverage, which gets into how mail is delayed - https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-08-20/usps-cutbacks-post-office-chaos
(Word of warning - the story is pretty upsetting, explaining the animals who have died in-transit because of DeJoy's new measures.
And based on what my contact said - we should all be concerned about the impact of postal worker morale who have to deal with these situations)
And based on what my contact said - we should all be concerned about the impact of postal worker morale who have to deal with these situations)
DeJoy confirming to Peters he's NOT going to pull back from these new hard deadlines for mail going out (so mail which doesn't make the deadline will sit in the office), and will not restore removed sorting machines.
Portman now trying to reiterate the line that Board of Governors is bipartisan group who confirmed DeJoy.
This line of arguing is making me roll my eyes. We've seen enough by now to recognize if you're a Trump political appointee, your motives likely aren't going to be great.
This line of arguing is making me roll my eyes. We've seen enough by now to recognize if you're a Trump political appointee, your motives likely aren't going to be great.
....
So, that was awkward. Carper just dropped three successive f-bombs on camera (partially aimed at a staffer?), due to tech issues.
Not a fan of people who snap at staffers.
So, that was awkward. Carper just dropped three successive f-bombs on camera (partially aimed at a staffer?), due to tech issues.
Not a fan of people who snap at staffers.
But back to questioning - before this happened, DeJoy claimed they're "working feverishly" to hire people to stabilize the service, when asked about delayed medications.
1. Well, maybe if you hadn't changed anything in the first place?
1. Well, maybe if you hadn't changed anything in the first place?
2. Worth reiterating: USPS contact pointed out they have several thousand members who have been impacted by COVID-19.
If DeJoy continues to argue that they need people to fill in these gaps, also worth asking *GOP Senators*, why they can't find USPS for urgent COVID needs.
If DeJoy continues to argue that they need people to fill in these gaps, also worth asking *GOP Senators*, why they can't find USPS for urgent COVID needs.
Ok, this is important.
Lankford is bringing up the picture which went viral on Twitter (partially because of Rex Chapman) of locked blue boxes in Burbank.
As some of you have seen by now, Burbank residents went out and debunked those pictures, pointing out mail can be -
Lankford is bringing up the picture which went viral on Twitter (partially because of Rex Chapman) of locked blue boxes in Burbank.
As some of you have seen by now, Burbank residents went out and debunked those pictures, pointing out mail can be -
- deposited from the other side.
Snopes has a write-up here: https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/usps-locking-mailboxes/
I think this is a good reminder to *always* check/verify what you're RTing, because the GOP can use it against us to undermine *very valid* complaints.
Snopes has a write-up here: https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/usps-locking-mailboxes/
I think this is a good reminder to *always* check/verify what you're RTing, because the GOP can use it against us to undermine *very valid* complaints.
Back to the hearing - DeJoy is saying the USPS operating model is not working.
Remember: so much of why the operating model is not working, is because of pre-funding. Here's a breakdown from NALC explaining how pre-funding basically broke the system: https://www.nalc.org/news/the-postal-record/2019/may-2019/document/Prefunding.pdf
Remember: so much of why the operating model is not working, is because of pre-funding. Here's a breakdown from NALC explaining how pre-funding basically broke the system: https://www.nalc.org/news/the-postal-record/2019/may-2019/document/Prefunding.pdf
And a second follow-up report.
Remember: pre-funding was a 2006 GOP bill.
https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R40983.pdf2
Remember: pre-funding was a 2006 GOP bill.
https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R40983.pdf2
I didn't catch the full line of questioning (since I was skimming the report to find the right paragraph), but DeJoy just asked if USPS needs an infusion of funding to deliver mail for Election Day. DeJoy said no.
Remember: USPS already structurally well-equipped to deliver election mail, because they handle holiday mail every year.
BUT they absolutely need funding, because of everything that has happened w/ COVID. Don't let Senate GOP get out of the $ passed in House Heroes Act.
BUT they absolutely need funding, because of everything that has happened w/ COVID. Don't let Senate GOP get out of the $ passed in House Heroes Act.
... Rand Paul now questioning, and I'm going to take a quick coffee break, since he's going to suggest something ridiculous, isn't he.
Question asked and answered: https://twitter.com/StevenTDennis/status/1296817669216374784?s=20
Paul, to DeJoy: "Hang in there".
Me:
Me:
So, Mitt Romeny is up right now. I don't like him, for a variety of reasons. Now is a good example of why:
Romney: "Assuming you've been truthful today, I can only assume how frustrating this is..."
Romeny also says there's been a lot of public criticism of DeJoy's donations-
Romney: "Assuming you've been truthful today, I can only assume how frustrating this is..."
Romeny also says there's been a lot of public criticism of DeJoy's donations-
- to Trump, but then also notes (too cheerfully, imho) that DeJoy also "generously" contributed to him, and says, it's like he's "contributed to both sides."
Romeny always gets a lot of credit for being a dissenting voice, but this isn't dissenting.
Romeny always gets a lot of credit for being a dissenting voice, but this isn't dissenting.
Enzi now calling on postal workers to support DeJoy's efforts. 
Part of why I keep encouraging everyone to show support to your local carriers/staff, is because they're clearly stressed by what DeJoy is doing + the impact on *their* relationship with their customers.
Part of why I keep encouraging everyone to show support to your local carriers/staff, is because they're clearly stressed by what DeJoy is doing + the impact on *their* relationship with their customers.
My contact kept stressing the pride carriers feel in being a part of the community.
When I asked if it would be helpful for us as customers to offer PPE, send notes of appreciation, etc. - she lit up, and adamantly said it matters.
Enzi blaming workers is very peak GOP.
When I asked if it would be helpful for us as customers to offer PPE, send notes of appreciation, etc. - she lit up, and adamantly said it matters.
Enzi blaming workers is very peak GOP.
To quote the young ones, this is galaxy brain thinking from Enzi here.
https://twitter.com/StevenTDennis/status/1296822116847943681?s=20
And another reminder to call the GOP and stress that *we* understand why these delays are happening, and the blame lies squarely w/ DeJoy
https://twitter.com/StevenTDennis/status/1296822116847943681?s=20
And another reminder to call the GOP and stress that *we* understand why these delays are happening, and the blame lies squarely w/ DeJoy
Johnson asking about delivery issues again, and I accidentally deleted one of my tweets from earlier, as I was trying to quote tweet.
(Clearly, I need coffee)
So let me reiterate again: my USPS contact reiterated that traditionally, carriers/drivers have been willing to wait-
(Clearly, I need coffee)
So let me reiterate again: my USPS contact reiterated that traditionally, carriers/drivers have been willing to wait-
- and be late on their end, if it meant that mail would go out and their *customers* would get their mail on time.
DeJoy has put a stop to this - everyone/everything goes out, no waiting. This means mail which doesn't make that cut-off will sit in the branch, unlike before.
DeJoy has put a stop to this - everyone/everything goes out, no waiting. This means mail which doesn't make that cut-off will sit in the branch, unlike before.
To quote the second half of my tweet from earlier, I really encourage all of you to read this article, since it details just what this new policy is now doing to mail and branches - including to live animals. https://twitter.com/Celeste_pewter/status/1296802973100552192?s=20
DeJoy: "In September, we're going to send a letter to every American about our process..."
Uh, I thought we were trying to *save* money, DeJoy?
Probably a good time to point out the irony of this statement to your GOP electeds.
Uh, I thought we were trying to *save* money, DeJoy?
Probably a good time to point out the irony of this statement to your GOP electeds.
Ok, so I was probably more snarky than useful at the end, but:
1. The Senate hearing is wrapped up.
2. DeJoy has confirmed he is not going to *restore* removed sorting machines, which is something we should be aware/call electeds on.
3. Remember: the House is going to -
1. The Senate hearing is wrapped up.
2. DeJoy has confirmed he is not going to *restore* removed sorting machines, which is something we should be aware/call electeds on.
3. Remember: the House is going to -
- vote on Maloney's bill on Saturday AND House Oversight is Monday, so please keep calling.
And if you have members on Oversight? Encourage them to commit to vigorous questioning. https://oversight.house.gov/legislation/hearings/protecting-the-timely-delivery-of-mail-medicine-and-mail-in-ballots
And if you have members on Oversight? Encourage them to commit to vigorous questioning. https://oversight.house.gov/legislation/hearings/protecting-the-timely-delivery-of-mail-medicine-and-mail-in-ballots
And here's a template script - please, please customize. https://twitter.com/Celeste_pewter/status/1295425875576385537?s=20
