Pelosi weighs bringing House back early to address Postal Service crisis
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Source: Politico
By HEATHER CAYGLE, JOHN BRESNAHAN and SARAH FERRIS 08/15/2020 06:47 PM EDT
Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Democratic leaders are considering cutting short the August recess and bringing the chamber back into session to deal with the unfolding crisis at the U.S. Postal Service, according to Democratic sources.
The House could return to vote with the next two weeks, the Democratic sources suggested. The chamber is currently in recess, with no votes scheduled until the week of Sept. 14.
Pelosi and other top Democrats, including House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), discussed the possibility of returning early during an emergency leadership call Saturday afternoon.
Democrats are looking to address organizational issues at the Postal Service in the coming weeks, not to provide additional funding at this time, according to sources familiar with the discussion.
Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2020/08/15/pelosi-bringing-house-back-early-postal-service-395791
To those who are bashing Pelosi for not calling for an end to the recess (it's NOT a "vacation" ), she's way ahead of you w/respect to considering it.
Please let her do her job, she's better at it than any of us here.
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riversedge
(80,721 posts)riversedge
(80,721 posts)
Thekaspervote
(35,820 posts)It would be good if they did come back, and actually what better campaigning than being able to say I’m here working to find solutions for you!
Cha
(318,812 posts)Aloha, Cha 
Well said!
Cha
(318,812 posts)
to Nancy & the Dems.. out there fighting for us on the front lines.
SheltieLover
(80,213 posts) 
hlthe2b
(113,824 posts)address if we are to have an emergent response, including an injunction. If she and Congress can add to the pressure, my hat is off to them, but they have little ability to dramatically stop this on an emergency basis. On this, they are largely impotent. The courts CAN on State Felony CHARGES. I've been saying this for the past 72 hours and it is starting to pick up steam. Connecticut's AG indicated talks were underway with other State AG's this weekend on this score. And guess, what, since most states have felony statutes against USPS obstruction, one hell of a lot of states' attorneys WILL be able to go after DeJoy and others and have standing to go for an emergency injunction. Those charges can not be pardoned.
Link to tweet
Link to tweet
And no, pointing out the lack of tools for Congress to address this on an emergent basis is NOT Pelosi or Congress bashing. It is an understanding of the law, Congress' scope and the full situation. But, yes, it is immensely helpful for them to come back from recess on an emergent basis, regardless. That sends a strong signal.
Laelth
(32,017 posts)Speaker Pelosi knows what she is doing. Every single member of the House is up for re-election in November. They need time in their home districts to campaign.
Besides, there’s not much that the House could do if Nancy called them back into session.
Either way, I trust her judgment.
-Laelth
Fiendish Thingy
(23,101 posts)yaesu
(9,293 posts)
Grasswire2
(13,849 posts)ACT.
yuiyoshida
(45,390 posts)This nation is in Crisis.
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)home districts, then she will.
There is a Convention that many are participating in this coming week, and many interviewing with their home news stations to fill their constituents in on what they've been doing. This is an election year and this is the last recess before the election. We need them to win, because if we don't keep the House, then the Nation will continue to be in crisis in terms of legislative stalemate, even if we win the WH in November.
Link to tweet
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LisaL
(47,418 posts)Especially during a pandemic, with many people wanting to be safe and vote by mail.
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)because we didn't have all the information in order to ask the questions of those involved.
How does that help anyone other than the GOP?
I think that you may have forgotten that much of this came out in the past two weeks , and the Friday night massacre was one week ago.
https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/3az48n/usps-workers-dont-know-what-to-make-of-so-called-friday-night-massacre
https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/14/politics/postal-service-inspector-general-reviewing-dejoy/index.html
Also - the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 mandates an August recess and the constitution prohibits one body meeting during a recess without approval from the other.
When you don't understand the rules, it's easy to be an armchair quarterback and say the coach is incompetent....
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/HMAN-105/pdf/HMAN-105-pg878.pdf
Tommymac
(7,334 posts)Doesn't matter about local votes either since the ballots are the same.
We lose Congress too.
USPS Hearings are at least as important as having everyone attend a virtual convention. They can work from home at least part of the time.
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)Do you know what the investigations have turned up in the last two weeks that this has been discovered?
Because if we don't have all the information in place, then we make asses of ourselves at the hearings because we can't even ask the right questions.
How does that help anyone?
The "Friday Night Massacre" was just a week ago... maybe it seems like longer.
https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/3az48n/usps-workers-dont-know-what-to-make-of-so-called-friday-night-massacre
There is also an ethics investigation going on DeJoy.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/14/politics/postal-service-inspector-general-reviewing-dejoy/index.html
Also - the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 mandates an August recess and the constitution prohibits one body meeting during a recess without approval from the other.
When you don't understand the rules, it's easy to be an armchair quarterback and say the coach is incompetent....
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/HMAN-105/pdf/HMAN-105-pg878.pdf
Also - even if we manage to get DeJoy out, Trump will replace him, as is his constitution-given power with someone else who will continue to do his bidding. He just needs the Senate's approval, and Mitch will give it to him. Jeff Sessions was replaced by someone even worse, remember, so hearings didn't save the DOJ. If hearings on the USPS are the only way to save the election, we are screwed. The hearings might expose corruption, but Trump can and will continue it. (NO, I am not saying that we don't pursue the investigations, and when appropriate, hearings. Damn, the GOP must be pinching themselves while we form a circular firing squad in a rage against Pelosi for NOT FIXING THIS USPS THING RIGHT NOW with no help from them whatsoever.)
Maybe you heard that you can get an absentee ballot and drop it off in person bypassing the USPS? Unless you live in TN or TX, you don't need to vote at the polls or use the USPS to vote. That's going to be the only sure way to beat this. Focus on getting the word out.
LisaL
(47,418 posts)Mail sorting machines have been removed and apparently destroyed. Working overtime has been forbidden.
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)Even if we manage to get DeJoy out, Trump will replace him, as is his constitution-given power with someone else who will continue to do his bidding. He just needs the Senate's approval, and Mitch will give it to him. Jeff Sessions was replaced by someone even worse, remember, so hearings didn't save the DOJ. If 'hearings on the USPS in the next two weeks" is the only way to save the election, we are completely screwed. The hearings might expose corruption, but Trump can and will continue it with another appointee. (NO, I am not saying that we don't pursue the investigations, and when appropriate, hearings. Damn, the GOP must be pinching themselves while we form a circular firing squad in a rage against Pelosi for NOT FIXING THIS USPS THING RIGHT NOW with no help from them whatsoever.)
Maybe you heard that you can get an absentee ballot and drop it off in person bypassing the USPS? Unless you live in TN or TX, you don't need to vote at the polls or use the USPS to vote. That's going to be the only sure way to beat this. Focus on getting the word out.
LisaL
(47,418 posts)Who is going to bring the ballot to me? Carrier pigeons? You don't bypass USPS, you still need them to deliver the ballot to you before the election.
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)You should ALREADY have your application for your absentee ballot, and hopefully sent it back in. You should ***receive*** your ballot in plenty of time because it's not yet October.
it's more important to bypass the USPS to VOTE in the ELECTION, in OCTOBER. Is that clearer?
Starting in OCTOBER when the ballots are expected to be mailed in, there will be a massive spike in the USPS and that will slow down everything.
Still with me?
You drop it off. That is how you bypass the USPS to VOTE, not RECEIVE your ballot. There is not a massive slowdown right now. There WILL BE in October, when you should bypass USPS.
LisaL
(47,418 posts)Is that clear?
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)That's way more realistic that waiting for Trump to come to his senses and sign a bill fully funding the post office into law without massive cuts to the stimulus package in return, and then replace his current guy with someone that will put the post office first.
LisaL
(47,418 posts)ehrnst
(32,640 posts)But you knew that. On the plus side, it'll be great exercise won't it?
I suppose one needs to try to find a victory in some way, even if it's a straw man.
You're upset that I've made the case that there really isn't another option possible, there is no simple solution, and that the rants about hearings are pointless, because hearings won't fix the USPS by the time you want it to.
Really, if you need villains to focus on, it's Trump and McConnell, not the Democratic leadership who are the ones perpetuating the situation.
Elections have consequences, and we are seeing them in technicolor.
Tommymac
(7,334 posts)Don't put words in my mouth, please.
I said that the Reps could work from home during the convention. It's virtual anyway.
Both are important - but if the mail is fucked then we lose anyway, regardless of the Convention.
At this point we need to Pressure Trump as much as we can. Hearings in the AM, Convention in the evening.
That helps everyone.
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)before October when ballots need to be mailed, Trump will appoint someone else who will do what he wants and Mitch will rubber stamp him.
There may not be time to save the USPS mail delivery even if we start hearings tomorrow, and the full $25 million for the USPS is in their coffers on Monday. Sorting machines have been removed. There may not be time to replace them and hire and train new people, even with restoring overtime.
"Hearings next week" some hopeful that people have grasped onto as a way to make the USPS all better by October 15, when people who need to mail ballots in have to get them in the mail. It's just not the solution that they think it is.
Again... we need to get people to get absentee ballots and DROP THEM OFF, so that the election is impacted as little as possible by the USPS situation, whatever it is.
I read your post just fine. I don't think you read mine.
LisaL
(47,418 posts)Tooth fairy? And a lot of people are not going to be able to drop the ballots off. Elderly, disabled, out of town on election day, and so on.
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)Please read it.
THIS IS WHY EVERYONE who can possibly DROP OFF their absentee BALLOT should do so, because there will be people who must vote in person, or who do not have access to early in person voting.
Tooth fairy? That's about as realistic as believing hearings, even starting tomorrow, will repair all the damage to the USPS by the expected mail surge in October.
If you don't have a full thorough investigation (the Friday Night Massacre was just a week ago) you can't have effective hearings. Even if you have effective hearings, and put everything else - including negotiations on the stimulus benefit bill - on hold, taking action to reverse the damage will take longer than 6 weeks. The sorting machines have been removed, not just turned off. They would need to be reinstalled or replaced. There would have to be a massive hiring and training of people.
Again - if you think that Congress can fix the USPS in time to feel just fine about mailing your ballot in October, even with heroic action and the $25 million funding package signed by Trump which he said he would not do until there are cuts in the stimulus funds - which Pelosi would be then trashed for agreeing to and in the Post Office account by Monday, you are sadly mistaken. It's tempting when one is in despair to pin all ones hopes on what seems to be very simple solution, and direct all your anger at those who tell you otherwise, but it's not productive.
I really wish it was that simple.
Plan B in this circumstance is far more likely and doable. Get your absentee ballot before the big slowdown in October, and drop it off in person.
There is no tooth fairy and no Cavalry that can arrive in time.
LisaL
(47,418 posts)absentee ballots until October 6th. So unless tooth fairly brings it to me, I am not going to get before October.
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)What state do you live in, BTW?
The tooth fairy bringing you your ballot is far more likely that Trump agreeing to sign the $25 million that the PO is asking for without unacceptable cuts to the stimulus payment package - which won't cover all the restoration of machines, nor will it impel them to restore overtime. And even if there was a rooting out of the corrupt leadership, who do you think gets to replace them? Trump, and Mitch will rubber stamp them. He replaced Jeff Sessions with Bill Barr, remember?
So, no. No matter what Congress does and when it does it, it's too late to fix the USPS, even if Trump was to replace DeJoy with someone who would go against his wishes on continuing the sabotage - which is as likely as him appointing the tooth fairy.
Fixating on that possiblity is a waste of emotional energy on false hope, and gets us nowhere. And then when the inevitable disappointment comes, there is the feeding frenzy on those who could not make the impossible happen, and told you all along that Plan B is the best option.
So drop off that ballot as soon as you get it. Even if it doesn't get to you until early November, you will be able to avoid using USPS to get it to your election office.
But if you have the time and inclination to wring your hands, I can't stop you. But you can't say that you weren't told all this ahead of time.
stillcool
(34,407 posts)but there sure are a lot of other people that do. It's all about optics, and maybe what the TV says.
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)while screaming at the TV that making touchdowns in this game is EASY, damnnit - WHY ARE YOU LEAVING THE FIELD HALFWAY THROUGH THE GAME?????
jpak
(41,780 posts)Again
Yup
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)It's not like all the House members are running for re-election this year, right?
And we sure don't need the House to get anything done with a new POTUS, right?
We have all the time in the world, don't we, to spend in impeachment hearings that we know won't shorten his stay in office a single day, and will likely make him lash out and whip his supporters into a frenzy or a shooting at another Walmart, or another crackdown on protesters, and will have the nation asking why the hell aren't Democrats in Congress and the Senate spending this time on getting a relief package going?
Yup
George II
(67,782 posts)(CNN)Democrats are seriously considering whether to bring the House of Representatives back as early as next week to discuss some of the issues facing the United States Postal Service, one source familiar with the matter told CNN.
The House Democratic leadership held a call late Saturday to discuss the possibility, three House Democratic aides and a source familiar with the matter said. There was significant support for bringing the House back on that call but no final decision was made.
"Yes there are discussions to bring the House back to address the Postal Service crisis. Timing (is) not clear yet. Next week and week after (are) being discussed," one of the aides said.
Possible action by the House could include forbidding the Postal Service to change sorting devices, prevent the closure of facilities, stopping any effort to end overtime pay or changing the timing of mail delivery, one of the sources said. Democrats also may push language requiring all ballot deliveries to have first class status.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/15/politics/democrats-house-postal-service/index.html
onetexan
(13,913 posts)Illumination
(2,458 posts)will get to the bottom of these shananagans!
Budi
(15,325 posts)Thanks Speaker Pelosi!
This is why she's the Speaker of the House & we're not.
😁
riversedge
(80,721 posts)Link to tweet
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@tedlieu
US House candidate, CA-33
House Oversight wanted hearing sooner but DeJoy refused. In fact, he doesn’t even have to show up & can litigate any subpoenas. How to solve this? Pass my House Rules change that allows us to execute Inherent Contempt against witnesses. No excuse for us not to exercise our power.
Link to tweet
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diva77
(7,880 posts)
70sEraVet
(5,462 posts)And McConnell does nothing, the whole country will sit up and take notice! Trump really stepped in it this time. This is a golden opportunity for Pelosi to rub their noses in it!
marble falls
(71,841 posts)riversedge
(80,721 posts)Rep. Dean Phillips
@RepDeanPhillips
What should we do, you ask? We should subpoena the Postmaster immediately and afford him the opportunity to testify. If he won’t, you ask? The Sergeant at Arms can detain anyone found in contempt of Congress. We’ve abdicated too much, and this is too important and time sensitive.
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ehrnst
(32,640 posts)What are the chances that Barr will do anything but laugh?
It's a fools errand to try to get an arrest via subpoena non-compliance with Barr as AG...
applegrove
(132,063 posts)Alert: not news. Anticipatory news
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