WASHINGTON — Mail delays across Wisconsin have caused disruptions in people receiving paychecks, social security checks and even prescription medication. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are demanding answers about why mail service has deteriorated.
“We had some people not getting mail for five days,” said Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison.
Pocan said it’s a complaint he’s hearing more and from his constituents: their mail service has become slow and unreliable.
“I’ve seen very little that’s come out of this Postmaster General that I would say is a plus. We’ve seen a lot of negatives,” he said.
The current leader of the Postal Service is Louis DeJoy, a Republican mega-donor who was appointed Postmaster General by President Donald Trump.
Pocan has joined dozens of Democrats in Congress in writing to President Joe Biden, urging him to fill two vacant seats on the Postal Service Board of Governors. The Board selects the Postmaster General, and if those two vacant seats are filled, it could lead to DeJoy’s ouster.
“There are two open appointments right now that could potentially determine the majority that could make a different decision on the Postmaster General,” Pocan said.
Pocan first called for DeJoy’s removal in 2020 amid accusations he was slowing mail service to delay the return of mail-in ballots to help Trump’s chances of reelection. DeJoy denied the allegations at the time.
Pocan and the other Democrats are also critical of the Postal Service raising the cost of a first class stamp five times since 2020. Pocan wants DeJoy to testify before the House committee that oversees the Postal Service.
“I think that’s the real problem is there’s not a direct path to accountability with the Postal Service because of the Board of Governors,” Pocan said. “But we do have the oversight over the budget for the Postal Service. And because of that, I think it’s a really great opportunity to have the Postmaster General come forward [and] have to answer questions. And my guess is, very clearly, it won’t just be questions about my district. It’s going to be about every member’s district and delivery problems that they’re having.”
It’s not just Democrats who are complaining about mail service. Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Green Bay, recently visited Sturgeon Bay to speak about the “unacceptable” issue of mail delays. He said he’d also like to hear from DeJoy.
“Because whether it’s a veteran who needs their life-saving medication, or a mom and dad just trying to pay their bills on time, we rely on the Postal Service,” Gallagher said at the time. “They do an incredible public service for us. It’s a noble profession. We just want to get this issue fixed.”
Pocan and Gallagher both said they have not heard back from DeJoy about their concerns.
In a statement to Spectrum News, USPS blamed the mail delays on recent snowstorms throughout the region and said it’s continuing “aggressive hiring efforts” in Wisconsin.