September 1, 2020

The Honorable Louis DeJoy Postmaster General Postal Service 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW Washington, DC 20260

Dear Mr. DeJoy:

We write to you following your testimony indicating that you do not plan to return letter sorting machines to facilities where they have recently been removed. Over the past several weeks we have heard from people in every county across the Commonwealth of who are gravely concerned about delayed mail delivery. We call on you to immediately return to service machines that have been removed in recent months.

From on-site visits and conversations with frontline postal workers we have learned that the removal of mail sorting machines have been one of the causes of these delays. We understand from news reports and on-site visits that at least 30 letter sorting machines have been removed Pennsylvania facilities. Pennsylvanians rely on timely mail delivery for bills, commercial transactions and prescriptions, among other things. The delays that have resulted after the removal of these sorting machines have had negative consequences on both the economy and peoples’ health.

Our seniors, veterans, and rural communities in particular rely on the timely delivery of the mail, and we have all heard from Pennsylvanians affected by recent delays. A veteran and retired teacher from Clarion wrote, “I've received no first-class mail since Tuesday.” This individual expressed concern for his health, staying that he has “meds due for delivery in the next week. If they don't arrive, I'm going to have to scramble and get a short-term retail fill to cover until they get here.” A small business owner in Montgomery County wrote, “the current delays are killing my business.” He explained that he is receiving essential unemployment forms “FOUR DAYS after the deadline for their return.” From rural Wayne County, a constituent wrote that her husband’s worker’s compensation check arrives “five days later than it used to. This is a vital part of our income.” For folks dependent on the mail for medication or living pay check to pay check, these delays are devastating.

The United States Postal Service has served our country capably for centuries. During a pandemic such as this, when the vital services of the USPS are more critical than ever, we should be redoubling our efforts to support the Postal Service, not pushing through untested service and delivery changes. We should also be supporting the dedicated USPS employees who have put themselves at risk throughout the COVID-19 health crisis, including the 28,000 who serve communities throughout Pennsylvania. From the delivery carriers, to the mail handlers, to the supervisors and the postmasters, the USPS has a particularly dedicated group of individuals singularly focused on ensuring the “swift completion of their appointed rounds.”

As our country continues its response to COVID 19, more than ever, the citizens and small businesses of the Commonwealth need to know that they can rely on timely delivering of their mail. Accordingly, we insist that you rescind your order and return these machines to service immediately to support the timely distribution of the nation’s mail.

Sincerely,

______Robert P. Casey, Jr. United States Senator

/s/ Brian Fitzpatrick /s/ Brendan F. Boyle Brian Fitzpatrick Brendan F. Boyle United States Representative United States Representative

/s/ Dwight Evans /s/ Dwight Evans Madeleine Dean United States Representative United States Representative

/s/ /s/ Mary Gay Scanlon Chrissy Houlahan United States Representative United States Representative

/s/ /s/ Susan Wild Matt Cartwright United States Representative United States Representative

/s/ /s/ Michael F. Doyle Conor Lamb Michael F. Doyle United States Representative United States Representative

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