Press Releases
Dingell Continues to Press USPS for Updates on Mail DelaysSignificant Delays Persist, including to Dingell’s Ypsilanti Office
Ypsilanti, MI,
October 2, 2020
YPSILANTI, MI – Today, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) continued her pressure on the United States Postal Service (USPS) to answer for significant delays in mail delivery times, including to Dingell’s office in Ypsilanti, Michigan “It is vital that the United States Postal Service (USPS) is equipped to provide this critical service including the delivery of medications, bills, election mail, and other critical tasks, and I am committed to ensuring that these services continue uninterrupted for my constituents,” wrote Dingell. “In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the USPS’s role providing for the American people is more important than ever. The USPS provides mail and package delivery services that allow Americans to pay their bills, receive medication, and other critical tasks, and we must ensure that it continues to function effectively through the Coronavirus outbreak, and in the coming years. It is USPS’s responsibility to ensure that it is prepared to properly execute this function.” Dingell asked again for an update on a variety of issues such as mail sorting machines removed and operational changes instituted by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. “My office has requested this information from the local post offices and district managers multiple times both verbally over the phone and in writing as postal staff requested. Our initial inquiry started on August 20th when my office submitted questions verbally over the phone and in writing for response,” Dingell continued. “It is highly concerning that to date we have been unable to receive this information from USPS, including being told that the information had to be requested by letter to USPS’ Government Relations Office more than a month after my office made the initial inquiry. This information is critical in ensuring that my constituents continue to receive their mail in a timely, efficient manner.” Dingell’s full letter to Postmaster DeJoy is available here and below: Dear Postmaster General DeJoy: I am writing to express deep concern about recent reports on the timeliness of mail in my district, and the reports of mail sorting machines being removed or deactivated across the nation. Our office has received several messages concerning significant delays in mail delivery time over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, including my office in Ypsilanti, Michigan having delays in delivery. It is vital that the United States Postal Service (USPS) is equipped to provide this critical service including the delivery of medications, bills, election mail, and other critical tasks, and I am committed to ensuring that these services continue uninterrupted for my constituents. As a result, I would like prompt responses to the following questions pertaining to my district: 1. Given recent reports of mail sorting machines being removed or deactivated, what is the status of sorting machines in the district, both in the larger facilities and more locally in various post offices, including the distribution facilities located in Detroit and Allen Park? How many, if any, have been removed or deactivated, where were they located, and what are the plans and timelines to return and reactivate them considering your statement to suspend operational changes? What have the effects of those changes been on mail delivery and the speed of sorting mail and how soon do you expect them to return to normal? 2. To what extent have the operational changes instituted by Postmaster General DeJoy that are currently being discussed nationally been implemented in the district? It is our understanding that these changes have been temporarily halted, but we’d like to be aware if there are plans to return to the full standards prior to the implementation of these operational changes. My office has requested this information from the local post offices and district managers multiple times both verbally over the phone and in writing as postal staff requested. Our initial inquiry started on August 20th when my office submitted questions verbally over the phone and in writing for response. It is highly concerning that to date we have been unable to receive this information from USPS, including being told that the information had to be requested by letter to USPS’ Government Relations Office more than a month after my office made the initial inquiry. This information is critical in ensuring that my constituents continue to receive their mail in a timely, efficient manner. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the USPS’s role providing for the American people is more important than ever. The USPS provides mail and package delivery services that allow Americans to pay their bills, receive medication, and other critical tasks, and we must ensure that it continues to function effectively through the Coronavirus outbreak, and in the coming years. It is USPS’s responsibility to ensure that it is prepared to properly execute this function. We stand with you to ensure you have the adequate resources to complete this critical work. Thank you for your attention to this important matter and please provide full and prompt responses. Sincerely, Debbie Dingell Member of Congress ### |