Policy changes at USPS jeopardizing crucial deliveries such as paychecks, prescription medicines and essential goods and causing concern among Minnesota small business owners

MINNEAPOLIS — Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith and Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon held a press conference highlighting the critical need to protect the United States Postal Service (USPS)— which Americans rely on for medicine, paychecks, social security checks, voting and more. Constituents across the state have expressed concern regarding mail delays and small business owners are concerned about the impact of delays on their businesses, which were already facing severe operational challenges as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. 

“Minnesotans are used to things working. They’re used to getting their mail on time, they love their letter carriers and their postal workers and people are really dismayed about what is going on,” Klobuchar said. “While we are in the Twin Cities right now, it’s really important to note how difficult this is for rural areas, because of the fact that a lot of our smaller farmers and a lot of our rural communities really rely on the post office to get things.”

“During this unprecedented public health and economic crisis, we must ensure that the Postal Service can continue serving all areas, no matter how remote, with consistent and reliable service,” Smith said. “I am deeply concerned about the changes made by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, which have disrupted mail delivery in the state and may affect mail-in ballots during this fall’s election. His chaotic approach and rapid fire changes are hurting Americans who rely on the USPS to receive critical items such as prescriptions, support their businesses, stay in touch with servicemembers overseas and so much more.”

Last week, Klobuchar, Smith and colleagues sent a letter to the USPS Board of Governors, calling on them to immediately use their authority to reverse changes to Postal Service operations and mail service delays put in place by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. 

Last week Klobuchar also sent a letter to the Small Business Administration urging the agency to stand up for small businesses facing these delays and sent a letter to state election officials requesting information on the impact of delays on election mail and other Postal Service changes.

Last week, Sen. Smith toured an Eagan mail processing facility to hear from postal officials and employees about the impact of the recent postal service changes.  She also successfully pressed the USPS Inspector General to open up an investigation of the impact of recent USPS changes on mail delivery in Minnesota and across the country. 

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