Matsui Issues Statement on the Passage of the Delivering for America Act
WASHINGTON, DC Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA), a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement on the passage of the Delivering for America Act, legislation that will protect the United States Postal Service (USPS) from the sabotage of the Trump Administration.
"The Trump Administration's crusade against the Postal Service is an assault on the health of the American people, the strength of our economy, and the viability of our democracy. We are at an inflection point in the history of our nation, and we must respond with steadfast support for the USPS and its workers," said Congresswoman Matsui, Sacramento's voice in Congress. "During this time of crisis, hundreds of millions of Americans across this country rely on the USPS for paychecks, life-saving prescriptions, as well as mail-in ballots. By passing the Delivering for America Act, we are standing against the cruel cutbacks of the Postmaster General and sending a clear message that we will not put up with any effort to undermine our most sacred right to vote."
The Delivering for America Act prohibits the USPS from making changes to operations or levels of service from those that were in effect on January 1, 2020, that would impede prompt, reliable, and efficient service. The prohibition would remain in effect for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic or through January 31, 2021.
Specifically, the bill:
- Prohibits changes in the nature of services that will generally affect service on a nationwide basis;
- Forbids revisions of service standards;
- Bars closure or consolidation of post offices or reduction of facility hours;
- Bans any prohibition on payment of overtime pay to USPS officers or employees;
- Prevents any changes that would have the effect of delaying mail, allowing non-delivery to a delivery route, or increasing the volume of undelivered mail;
- Includes $25 billion for postal operations during the COVID-19 pandemic;
- Requires the postal service to treat all official election mail as First-Class mail;
- Prohibits the removal, decommissioning, or other stoppage of mail sorting machines; and
- Forbids the removal of mailboxes.
# # #