NH Delegation Stands With American Postal Workers in Manchester to Condemn the Trump Administration’s Sabotage of USPS
(Manchester, NH) – Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) stood with members of New Hampshire’s American Postal Workers Union (APWU) at an event condemning the Trump administration’s sabotage of the U.S. Postal Service that’s causing mail delivery delays in New Hampshire and across the country.
Despite a commitment by the Postmaster General to suspend changes to USPS until after the November election, he has largely refused to reverse policy changes that have already been made, which include the removal of sorting machines, cutting overtime for postal employees and more. During the event, the delegation highlighted the devastating impact mail delays have had on the health, livelihoods and well-being of Granite Staters, and underscored the need to restore timely delivery, permanently reverse and table the administration’s planned changes to USPS and fully fund the agency.
“This morning, Granite Staters made their voices heard loud and clear: they will not accept the Trump administration’s sabotage of the Postal Service,” said Senator Shaheen. “Granite Staters are relying on USPS now more than ever to receive essential items, including medications that are now being dangerously delayed. The administration needs to have the backs of postal workers rather than undermining their mission. The Trump administration’s refusal to reverse these harmful policy changes at the Postal Service is shameful and highlights why Mitch McConnell must stop dragging his feet and call the Senate back into session to act on legislation passed by the House that funds the Postal Service and restores timely delivery.”
“Thank you to all the postal workers and letter carriers who have not only done their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic and made sure Americans are getting their mail, but also really have been strong voices for the public who depend so much on the Postal Service,” said Senator Hassan. “Postal workers are doing everything they can to keep us all safe and healthy while delivering essential items during this difficult time – meanwhile the administration works to undermine their efforts at every step. We will keep working to support postal workers and make sure that not only your ballots but your medications get delivered in a timely way.”
“I stand with the countless Granite Staters who depend on the Postal Service for life-saving medications, Social Security checks, ballots, and so much more,” said Representative Kuster. “The Trump Administration’s sabotage of the United States Postal Service – a fundamental pillar of our democracy – endangers the health and well-being of Americans and puts our very democracy at risk. The USPS is a historically non-partisan, essential institution that provides crucial services to all Americans, and it has become all the more important in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. I voted this past weekend to defend the USPS from the Trump Administration’s attacks and to provide critical funding to this important institution. These attacks must end, and Senate Republicans must bring the Delivering for America Act to a vote immediately.”
“Granite Staters have spoken loudly and clearly: they like the Postal Service, they rely on the Postal Service, and they are sick and tired of seeing political attacks aimed at slowing the mail, reducing service, and hurting our democracy,” said Representative Chris Pappas. “I was proud to join the hardworking members of our Postal Service today to stand up against the attacks from this Administration. The Postal Service belongs to each and every American, and I remain committed to protecting and defending this vital public service that Americans depend on to get their prescriptions, run their small businesses, stay connected to their community.”
The New Hampshire delegation is working to protect the United States Postal Service and its employees against attacks from the Trump administration. The delegation has called for answers on mail delivery concerns that they have heard from Granite Staters. Senators Shaheen and Hassan previously called on the newly-appointed Postmaster General to answer for the recent changes to long-standing operations that have slowed mail delivery, including demanding immediate action following reports of significant delays in veterans’ prescription medications. Additionally, the Senators have repeatedly called for additional funding to support the U.S. Postal Service in the next COVID-19 relief package. Last week, Shaheen hosted a video call with unions representing New Hampshire employees of USPS. Senator Shaheen’s office has heard from nearly 4,000 constituents who have contacted her office with concerns regarding USPS delays. Senator Hassan, a member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee which oversees USPS, questioned Postmaster General Louis DeJoy last Friday about the decommissioning of Manchester sorting machines, as well as medication delivery and what the Postal Service will do to ensure on-time ballot delivery. On Saturday, Representatives Annie Kuster and Chris Pappas voted in favor of legislation to prohibit Postmaster General DeJoy and the Trump Administration from making any operational or structural changes during the COVID-19 crisis, provide $25 billion to support the USPS during the pandemic, and require all election mail to be treated as First-Class mail. The Delivering for America Act passed the House with bipartisan support.
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