BREAKING NEWS: Postmaster General Suspends Changes to United States Postal Service Amid Public Pushback
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy is suspending “longstanding operational initiatives” that he has personally implemented at the United States Postal Service as public outrage reaches a boiling point.
Protests erupted outside DeJoy’s Washington DC home last weekend and more are planned for this coming Saturday over what the public views as a ploy to rig the 2020 election for President Donald Trump. Lawmakers, taking no chances, have filed lawsuits, requested criminal investigations, and the House will return from recess to vote on emergency legislation to save the USPS this Saturday. On Friday, DeJoy will testify before the House about his role in granting Trump’s wish of killing mail-in voting.
But in a surprise statement Tuesday afternoon, DeJoy announced that the USPS is able to handle the millions of mail-in ballots that are expected in November and that he will deploy every possible resource to protect the vote and ensure a fair election.
“The United States Postal Service will play a critical role this year in delivering election mail for millions of voters across the country. There has been a lot of discussion recently about whether the Postal Service is ready, willing and able to meet this challenge,” DeJoy said.
“The Postal Service is ready today to handle whatever volume of election mail it receives this fall. Even with the challenges of keeping our employees and customers safe and healthy as they operate amid a pandemic, we will deliver the nation’s election mail on time and within our well-established service standards,” he added. “The American public should know that this is our number one priority between now and election day. The 630,000 dedicated women and men of the Postal Service are committed, ready and proud to meet this sacred duty.”
The coronavirus pandemic, which has killed more than 170,000 Americans since March, means that mail-in voting is the only safe way to cast a ballot for much of the country. Many experts, like CDC Director Robert Redfield, are warning that fall 2020 could be the “worst fall” that “we’ve ever had” in the United States as COVID-19 spreads and flu season begins.
Because of the uniqueness of the public health emergecy, DeJoy said that he is launching an “expansion of our current leadership taskforce on election mail to enhance our ongoing work and partnership with state and local election officials in jurisdictions throughout the country” due to the unprecedented demands of the 2020 election.”
He made four additional promises that are a 180-degree reversal from his controversial actions.
-“Retail hours at Post Offices will not change
-Mail processing equipment and blue collection boxes will remain where they are
-No mail processing facilities will be closed
-And we reassert that overtime has, and will continue to be, approved as needed.”
DeJoy also vowed to “engage standby resources in all areas of our operations, including transportation, to satisfy any unforeseen demand” by October 1.
“I am grateful for the commitment and dedication of all the men and women of the Postal Service, and the trust they earn from the American public every day, especially as we continue to contend with the impacts of COVID-19. As we move forward, they will have the full support of our organization throughout the election,” DeJoy concluded.
This pandemic can be controlled. Wearing a mask, adhering to social distance policies, handwashing, and getting tested are all steps every person can take to stop the spread of COVID-19. The latest research shows that patients who caught the virus, recovered, and developed antibodies are immune to reinfection, at least for a time.
*This is a developing story and HillReporter is committed to keep you informed as events unfold.*
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