Congressman Albio Sires Fights to Protect US Postal Service and Support Vulnerable Communities

Strategic Insights -

In a significant move, Congressman Albio Sires joined his colleagues in the House of Representatives to vote on the Delivering for America Act, a crucial legislation aimed at halting the Trump Administration's relentless attacks on the United States Postal Service (USPS). The bill, introduced by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), would prohibit the USPS from implementing changes that would delay mail delivery and require the agency to treat all official election mail as First-Class mail. Sires also signed onto several letters addressing the adverse effects of USPS policies on veterans, calling for aid for those impacted by the Beirut explosion, and advocating for the right to vote by mail.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Delivering for America Act, if passed, would prohibit the USPS from implementing changes to operational or service standards that were in effect on January 1, 2020, until January 2021 or the end of the public health emergency, whichever comes later.
  • The bill includes $25 billion in emergency funds for the USPS and reverses any already implemented changes to the operations or policies of the USPS that delay mail delivery.
  • The USPS currently employs over 620,000 Americans and provides essential services during the pandemic, including delivering prescriptions, stimulus checks, and vote-by-mail ballots.
  • Congressman Sires has long been a supporter of the USPS and has written an Op-Ed advocating for the agency's preservation.

Statistics:

  • The USPS currently employs over 620,000 Americans.
  • The USPS delivers around 500,000 prescriptions per day from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) through USPS.
  • According to Rep. Sires, the Census response rate in the 8th District is far below the average for the rest of New Jersey.
  • 80% of VA prescriptions are filled by mail.
  • A record number of mail-in ballots are expected to be cast in the upcoming general election.

Sources:

  • United States House of Representatives -- Congressman Albio Sires (8th District of New Jersey)
  • H.R. 8015: Delivering for America Act (introduced by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY))
  • OP-ED: "Why the USPS Must Be Saved" (written by Rep. Albio Sires)
  • Letter to Postmaster General DeJoy addressing delays in mail-order prescriptions to United States Veterans
  • Letter to Speaker Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Minority Leader Schumer (D-NY) urging support for the Postal Service in any future COVID-19 relief bill
  • H.R. 6828: COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Fund (introduced by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY))
  • H.R. 6814: Supporting Connectivity for Higher Education Students in Need Act (introduced by Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CT))
  • Letter to President and Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf urging the Administration to designate Lebanon for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED)