Postmaster General Louis DeJoy Defends Changes Before Senate Committee

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy defended his efforts to make the Postal Service run more efficiently and said the mail agency could handle an expected surge in mailed ballots this fall amid concerns, particularly from Democrats, that his actions would interfere with the vote.

Mr. DeJoy, who has been at the center of controversy over efforts to curtail costs at the Postal Service, appeared Friday before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, controlled by Republicans.

Mr. DeJoy testified that he had never spoken to President Trump about the Postal Service, other than in receiving his congratulations on becoming postmaster general.

In opening remarks, Mr. DeJoy urged Congress "To enact legislation that would provide the Postal Service with financial relief to account for the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on our financial condition."

Mr. DeJoy said the Postal Service has removed around 35,000 collection boxes over the past decade.

While Mr. DeJoy took over as postmaster general in June, the Postal Service was already facing complaints about package delays, with more people shopping online as the pandemic took hold in the U.S. earlier this year, and as the Postal Service faced staffing problems due to Covid-19 outbreaks.

Mr. DeJoy said the shifts would improve on-time delivery "Once we get all the mail on those trucks." The effort to get trucks out on time won't be deferred until after the election, a Postal Service spokesman clarified Friday.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/postmaster-general-louis-dejoy-to-testify-on-capitol-hill-11598002202?mod=hp_lead_pos2