Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Hayes joined House colleagues in voting to pass H.R. 8015, the Delivering for America Act. The legislation provides the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) with $25 billion in funding support and prohibits changes to operations or levels of service.
“Today, we are taking a stand to protect and preserve the USPS’s mission and its postal carriers. I am committed to ensuring this vital service continues for Connecticut residents and the America people,” said Rep. Hayes.
“The Delivering for America Act ensures the USPS is protected. H.R. 8015 makes certain no person will have to worry if their mail, prescriptions, or important packages will arrive on time.
The USPS provides essential services for the American people. This support and funding is critical for this institution to serve CT-05 and sustain our democracy.
The Delivering for America Act provides $25 billion in funding to the USPS, with $15 billion reserved for the Office of the Inspector General. This legislation also prohibits the USPS from making changes to operations or levels of service from those that were in effect on January 1, 2020. H.R. 8015 instructs for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency, or until January 1, 2020—whichever is later—the USPS may not implement or approve any change to the operations or the level of service that would impede prompt, reliable, and efficient service.
On August 18, 2020, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy announced that “to avoid even the appearance of any impact on election mail” all operational initiatives to the USPS would be suspended until after the 2020 election has concluded. While Postmaster DeJoy’s statement is welcome news, it is an insufficient response and does not reverse the damage already done. This legislation ensures the USPS will proceed with more stringent and secure operations.
On August 24, 2020, the House Committee on Oversight and Reform will hold a hearing with Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. A livestream will be available on the Committee website.
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Rep. Jahana Hayes has been a public school teacher in Connecticut for more than 15 years and was recognized in 2016 as the National Teacher of the Year. Currently serving her first term in the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Hayes sits on the Committees on Education & Labor and Agriculture and proudly represents Connecticut’s 5th District.