US House Democrats urge Biden to name new U.S. Postal board members [View all]
Source: Reuters
February 1, 2024 3:27 PM EST
WASHINGTON, Feb 1 (Reuters) - More than 80 Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday urged President Joe Biden to nominate two candidates to open seats on the U.S. Postal Board of Governors, complaining about slow deliveries and increased costs. The letter, led by Representative Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the committee overseeing the Postal Service, noted there have been five stamp price hikes since 2020 including the latest increase on Jan. 21 that boosted prices to 68 cents from 66 cents.
The letter, first revealed by Reuters, urged Biden to "choose two candidates who will be wholly committed to lowering costs for everyday Americans." Two governors' terms on the board expired in December. USPS in November reported a $6.5 billion net loss for the 12 months ending Sept. 30 and said it will not break even in 2024 as first-class mail fell to the lowest volume since 1968. "Unfortunately, the Postal Service currently suffers from slow rates of delivery service and increased costs," said the letter.
Other signatories include Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi, Rosa DeLauro, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Gerald Connolly and Maxine Waters. "The actions of current postal leadership are deeply concerning. Rather than exploring new sources of revenue, it has continued price increases to 'uncomfortable rates' around the country," it said, citing earlier comments on price hikes from Postmaster General Louis DeJoy.
USPS has been aggressively hiking stamp prices and is in the middle of a 10-year restructuring plan that aims to eliminate $160 billion in predicted losses over the next decade. A White House official said the administration "will consult with Congress to fill the two vacant seats, as we have done for all board nominees to date."
Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-house-democrats-urge-biden-name-new-us-postal-board-members-2024-02-01/
Link to Rep. Jamie Raskin / House Oversight and Accountability Committee Democrats PRESS RELEASE - Ranking Member Raskin and Rep. Krishnamoorthi Urge Swift Nomination, Confirmation to Fill Two Vacancies on the Postal Service’s Board of Governors
Link to letter (PDF) is here.
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