March 25, 2021

Duckworth Urges USPS Board of Governors to Immediately Fire Louis DeJoy

 

[WASHINGTON, DC] – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) called on the United States Postal Service (USPS) Board of Governors to immediately fire Louis DeJoy, Postmaster General of the United States (PMG) and Chief Executive Officer of USPS, for cause. Duckworth’s request to the Board of Governors follows the disclosure of PMG DeJoy’s horrific vision for the USPS over the next 10 years, which would weaken the Postal Service and further delay critical shipments like lifesaving prescriptions and other items that families, Veterans and small businesses rely on. The deadly COVID-19 pandemic is a harsh reminder that, even in the 21st Century, the United States depends on having a robust national postal system capable of physically connecting communities from door to door and from mailbox to ballot box, while carrying out last mile deliveries in every state and to every address in America.  

In part, the Senator wrote: “PMG DeJoy’s pathetic 10-year plan to weaken USPS demonstrates that he is a clear and present threat to the future of the Postal Service and the well-being of millions of Americans, particularly small business owners, seniors and Veterans, who depend on an effective and reliable USPS to conduct daily business, safely participate in democracy and receive vital medication. I, along with millions of Americans, remain outraged and utterly perplexed that the USPS Board of Governors determined that Louis DeJoy was the best, most qualified individual – in a Nation comprised of more than 300 million people – to lead a venerated Federal agency with a mission that is explicitly enshrined in the Constitution of the United States of America.”

Duckworth continued, “However, this Board’s disastrous personnel choice and the subsequent devastating consequences are a sunk cost that cannot be undone. The only question facing the USPS Board of Governors right now is whether PMG DeJoy is the best individual to lead the Postal Service moving forward. Based on the PMG’s performance to date, the answer is clear: no. Failure to remove PMG DeJoy will confirm my worst fears about each Member of this Board of Governors. Namely, that you are unwilling to admit error and thus incapable of fixing a grave mistake.”

In February 2021, Duckworth called on President Biden to replace the entire USPS Board of Governors as a first step in restoring public confidence in the Postal Service. In August of last year, Duckworth and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) convened a call with USPS and Illinois State Board of Elections leaders to discuss how constituents in Illinois can safely participate in the upcoming general election amid concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic and USPS policies and practices that may impact mail-in ballot delivery. Shortly after that call, Duckworth and Durbin urged USPS to prioritize election mail ahead of the November general election

 

A full copy of the letter is available below and here.

March 25, 2021

Dear Members of the United States Postal Service Board of Governors:

I request that the United States Postal Service (USPS) Board of Governors take immediate action to fire – for cause – Mr. Louis DeJoy, Postmaster General of the United States (PMG) and Chief Executive Officer of USPS.

PMG DeJoy’s pathetic 10-year plan to weaken USPS demonstrates that he is a clear and present threat to the future of the Postal Service and the well-being of millions of Americans, particularly small business owners, seniors and Veterans, who depend on an effective and reliable USPS to conduct daily business, safely participate in democracy and receive vital medication.

I, along with millions of Americans, remain outraged and utterly perplexed that the USPS Board of Governors determined that Louis DeJoy was the best, most qualified individual – in a Nation comprised of more than 300 million people – to lead a venerated Federal agency with a mission that is explicitly enshrined in the Constitution of the United States of America.

However, this Board’s disastrous personnel choice and the subsequent devastating consequences are a sunk cost that cannot be undone. The only question facing the USPS Board of Governors right now is whether PMG DeJoy is the best individual to lead the Postal Service moving forward. Based on the PMG’s performance to date, the answer is clear: no.

Failure to remove PMG DeJoy will confirm my worst fears about each Member of this Board of Governors. Namely, that you are unwilling to admit error and thus incapable of fixing a grave mistake.

There are no excuses left for inaction. This week the PMG revealed his horrific vision for USPS over the next 10 years. It is also absolutely clear that this Board of Governors should fire PMG DeJoy immediately. Not tomorrow, not next week. You must fire Louis DeJoy now.

The deadly coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a harsh reminder that even in the 21st Century, our Nation depends on a robust national postal system capable of physically connecting communities from door to door and from mailbox to ballot box, while handling last mile deliveries in every State and to every address in America.  

On behalf of my constituents in Illinois and Americans throughout our Nation, I strongly urge the USPS Board of Governors to do the right thing. Take decisive action to stop PMG DeJoy from triggering a death spiral of plummeting service standards, plummeting customer satisfaction and plummeting revenue that will destroy the United States Postal Service.

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