Pappas Files Amendments To Return USPS Sorting Machines to Service and Provide Additional Oversight
Today, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) is announcing that he has filed two amendments to H.R. 8015, the Delivering for America Act. These amendments follow reports that USPS facilities across the country, including the Goffs Falls Road facility in Manchester, were dismantling, scrapping, and selling mail sorting machines in recent months. Congressman Pappas held an event outside the Goffs Falls Road facility on Wednesday and has been a leader in defending the USPS, fighting to fund its operations, and reversing the damage already done by this Administration's political attacks.
Rep. Pappas's first amendment would require that any mail sorting machine that has been taken offline since January 1, 2020, be returned to service within 15 days of the passage of the bill. It was reported earlier this week that the Goffs Falls Road processing center put at least four of its mail sorting machines out of commission.
Pappas's second amendment would require the U.S. Postal Service to submit a report to Congress detailing mail sorting machines (and other similar equipment) that have been sold, destroyed, or discarded by the United States Postal Service since January 1, 2020.
"We must do all we can to stand up for the U.S. Postal Service so that our hardworking postal workers can continue doing their job for the American people," said Congressman Pappas. "Throughout this pandemic, we've seen just how critical the Postal Service is for our small businesses, for delivering life-saving medication, for staying connected, and for casting a ballot. I filed these amendments because we need to stop the attack on the USPS and reverse the damage that's already been done. We need to say loudly and clearly to the Postmaster General that when it comes to removing machinery and slowing down our mail: hands off."
This weekend, Congress will be convening for an emergency session to vote on the Delivering for America Act. The bill forbids the Postal Service from implementing any changes to operations that would undermine established service standards and provides $25 billion in emergency funding to the Postal Service.
Background:
Pappas voted in favor of the Heroes Act on May 15th, which would provide an emergency $25 billion appropriation for lost revenue due to COVID-19, ensure that USPS has access to the $10 billion line of credit, give postal and other essential frontline workers the hazard pay they deserve, and make sure that every voter can access no-excuse absentee vote-by-mail in the upcoming election.
Earlier this month, Congressman Pappas sent a letter to the USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue and Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Bette Brand expressing his grave concerns about the impact of the U.S. Postal Service's dire financial condition and potential reductions in service on rural communities across the country.
In August, Congressman Pappas joined the New Hampshire delegation to demand answers from Postmaster General Louis DeJoy about changes made to the Postal Service.
In June, Congressman Pappas, Annie Kuster (NH-02), Kendra Horn (OK-05), and Gil Cisneros (CA-39) sent a letter to the Small Business Administrator, Jovita Carranza, to express their concern about the impact that the U.S. Postal Service's grave financial state may have affected small businesses across America. Also in June, Rep. Pappas led a letter to VA Secretary Wilkie to share his concern that any reduction in services or move to privatize the Postal Service will negatively impact both the VA and the millions of veterans.
In April, Pappas joined the NH Congressional delegation to call on House and Senate leadership to include relief for the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) in future COVID-19 relief legislation. The effort came as the USPS faces mounting debts that have been compounded by the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.