February 20, 2024
Congresswoman Bush Urges United States Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to Address Mail Delivery Issues in St. Louis
Letter follows constituent reports of mail delays and disruptions
Washington, D.C. (Feb. 20, 2024) — Today, Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01) sent a letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy detailing reports of mail delays and disruptions in St. Louis and urging the United States Postal Service to promptly remedy postal issues. The Office of Congresswoman Cori Bush has received accounts of entire neighborhoods experiencing significant mail service interruptions, affecting all residents, including seniors and people with disabilities who depend on timely delivery of essential documents such as bills and social security checks.
“I write with deep concern about ongoing, significant and widespread delays to mail delivery service across Missouri’s First District. My office has heard from many constituents throughout St. Louis who are receiving essential documents such as utility bills, social security checks, and federal benefits documents weeks after their bills are due and in some instances documents are not delivered at all,” wrote Congresswoman Cori Bush. “Due to the serious negative impacts on the people of St. Louis, especially our most vulnerable, I ask that immediate action be taken to address these issues.”
A copy of the letter can be found HERE.
In September 2023, the Office of Congresswoman Cori Bush reached out to the United States Postal Service over postal issues in the area of North City St. Louis. After meeting with local post offices, it was reported mail delays were the result of staffing issues.
In the letter, Congresswoman Bush urged the Postmaster General to respond to the following questions:
- What steps as the Postmaster General are you taking to improve working conditions for current employees and ensure robust recruitment of new Postal Service employees?
- Does USPS require additional resources to implement a staff recruitment and retention plan?
- What is USPS doing to ensure constituents receive timely communication regarding mail delays?
- Is there a plan to increase customer service to communicate with customers who have missed mail or it is delayed?
- What measures is USPS taking to correct the poorly implemented modernization plan?
Congresswoman Bush has taken consistent action to address longstanding issues within the United States Postal Service, including meeting with local post offices, as well as leveraging her position on the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability which has jurisdiction over the agency.
- In February 2024, Congresswoman Bush joined Oversight Committee Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (MD-8) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-8) in urging President Biden to swiftly fill vacancies on the Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service by nominating two new members who are committed to lowering costs and maintaining service standards.
- In July of 2023, Congresswoman Bush joined Oversight Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (MD-8), Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), and their Democratic colleagues on the House Oversight Committee in sending a letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy calling for information on USPS working conditions following the death of a Texas Mail Carrier during an extreme heatwave.
- In February 2021, Congresswoman Cori Bush questioned Postmaster General Louis DeJoy during a congressional hearing before the House Oversight Committee about the lack of diversity on the United States Postal Service Board of Governors, which is charged with overseeing the activities of the USPS.