It wasn't long after DeJoy, a former Republican fundraiser and deputy RNC finance chair, became the postmaster general that he became highly controversial. A Biden spokesperson last November said the administration has continued concerns about the postmaster generals leadership, as it nominated Kan and Tangherlini to the board. Bloomberg Surveillance with Tom Keene, Jonathan Ferro & Lisa Abramowicz live from New York, bringing insight on global markets and the top business stories of the day. One controversial figure from Trump's presidency, however, remains in office: Louis DeJoy, the notorious postmaster general who almost sabotaged mail voting in the fall and continues to gut. I agree to the use of my personal data by Government Executive Media Group and its partners to serve me targeted ads. internet device. For all of us independent news organizations, its no exception. Again, that is a feature, not a bug. He was appointed by the United States Postal Service Board of Governors in May 2020. The information collected might relate to you, your preferences or your device, and is mostly Visit www.allaboutcookies.org His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Although the memory of USPS influence on the election is fading in the minds of the American public, delays continue, keeping those frustrations fresh. The reason for the delays in Biden confirmations is that. Its a nuclear option, but it might well be necessary to save and rebuild this once-venerable institution, whose duties are so important they are enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. We have demonstrated the speed in which this organization can rectify its operating issues when it applies its competencies with extreme focus, DeJoy said. DeJoy promised to use his new rate-setting authority judiciously, but so far has increased prices nearly to the maximum extent allowed and doubled the frequency of the bumps. Therefore, it's technically possible for Biden to replace Moak and Zollars with Democrats who align with the vast majority of the Democratic base in opposing DeJoy. Ultimately, they feel that he is a detriment to the institution and feel that hes out to destroy the very institution hes been set to run. And neither does this: The board, composed of Democratic and Republican appointees, unanimously approved Martinez. Heres what you need to know about whats next for your mail. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising. Postmaster General Louis Dejoy attends an event announcing the Postal Service's plan on implementing electric vehicles, at the Postal Service Headquarters on December 20, 2022. Postal Service (USPS) Board of Governors, the body that decides whether to fire the PMG and choose a successor. And if Biden is looking to restore confidence in American elections following the GOP shenanigans of 2020, he will have to take a firmer hand to ensure DeJoys ouster. For Edmund Carley, president of United Postmasters and Managers of America, that is a key differencebetween DeJoy and his predecessors. When you visit our website, we store cookies on your browser to collect To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page. Ultimately, there are several reasons why varying groups and politicians want Louis Dejoy fired. If you care about the truth as much as I do, then you're in the right place! Those cookies are set by us and called first-party cookies. Postal Service is just beginning. ", Earlier this month, a coalition of more than 80 advocacy organizations led by Take on Wall Street sent a letter pushing Biden to nominate replacements for Moak and Zollars who are "wholly committed to the task of protecting and expanding our Postal Service.". The board of governors can both hire and fire the postmaster general. In DeJoys mind, his agencys clock is ticking toward irrelevance, and he wants to make sure the Postal Service is around for him to have that saccharine moment with his successor. He also will offer a piece of advice, one perhaps unexpected from the often brash New Yorker. While on the surface, this sounds okay, the problem lies with the fact that it is those very people and communities that live on the fringes of the country that depend on the post office the most and now would be greatly affected. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. That requirement had raised concerns about USPS' ability to fund its long-term operations. Democratic Rep Bill Pascrell, wrote to the President saying that just cause has been made present by Dejoy failing to, represent the public interest in a letter to the President sent back in 2021. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. That rule something no other federal government agency is required to do has helped drive the postal service toward near-insolvency for years. That DeJoy would remain postmaster general for any time longer than what it takes to clean out his desk should be troubling news for anyone who cares about the postal service which should be all of us. U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sulliva n ruled that DeJoy's changes to the post office before the 2020 election had harmed mail delivery. T he US postmaster general, Louis DeJoy, has drawn criticism over changes made to the US Postal Service since Donald Trump appointed him in May 2020, which have included delays in services,. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) also suggested now was the time to remove DeJoy. to learn more. Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. The postmaster's 10-year plan is proof of his commitment to strengthen the world's largest mail system. The Sun-Times welcomes letters to the editor and op-eds. "While we can understand why some who are not responsible for the financial sustainability of the Postal Service might prefer that we acquire more electric vehicles, the law requires us to be self-sufficient," USPS spokesperson David Partenheimer said in a statement to Newsweek. Postal Service Board of Governors' Republican chair stepped down Tuesday and was replaced by a Democrat amid growing criticism from Democratic lawmakers about the board's Republican. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona leaves Democratic party. The process. To his credit, DeJoy supports the measure, saying it is fair, it is needed, and it is urgent.. Click on the different category headings to find out more and change our Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has privately told associates in recent days that the hard part of his job at the U.S. He is the first Postmaster General in 20 years to serve in this position with no prior postal service experience. "Additionally, numerous post office locations are set to be shuttered under his 10-year restructuring plan, potentially impacting thousands of employees during a time of economic crisis," the groups wrote. That doesnt bode well for any possibility of change at the postal service. We also If you want to opt out of all of our lead reports and lists, please submit a Its surprisingly mostly legal, and some will argue they have found the benefits far outweigh the risk. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. to take that as a valid request to opt-out. In todays post, Ill explain the situation with the Post Office, who Louis Dejoy is, and the many controversies surrounding his current tenure and Ill try to answer why Louis Dejoy is still the Postmaster General when so many want him out. Meanwhile, the postal Board of Governors this month elected Trump supporter Roman Martinez as its chairman. That means that the Biden administration will likely go through 2023as they have through 2021 and 2022with Louis DeJoy as postmaster general, given the current makeup of the U.S. Sought to insulate the Post Office from politics and in so, undeniably put its very existence into a political mess, for which, unfortunately, there does not seem to be an easy fix. The pilot programwhich allows customers to cash payroll and business checks up to $500was launched in September 2021 without approval from Congress or the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC). Postal Service is a success story under Postmaster Louis DeJoy, an agency . Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters, Education Secretary Slams Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' Bill as 'Hateful'. Quality journalism. To the Postal Services biggest customers, the plaudits do not extend much further. Donald Trumps big announcement Hes running for President in 2024. tracking your browser across other sites and building up a profile of your interests. "The Postal Service has engaged in extensive discussions with the Administration and Congress to explain our financial condition and the reasons why additional funding would be necessary to accelerate this pace over the course of our ten-year contract. or click here to become a subscriber. Forty years old! he shouts, his accent redolent of his native Brooklyn. I could go on at length as to why hes seemingly universally disliked but here is a list of some of the major reasons: They want $3.5 billion for something that will turn out to be fraudulent, thats election money basically. "After DeJoy's numerous failings at the helm, it is imperative that we have a strong, full, and reform-oriented Postal Board of Governors in place to hold him accountable to the true mission and public service goals of the USPS.". We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Louis Dejoy, it would seem, is a republican that was hired for a simple reason, to hamper the delivery of the mail during a crucial time in American history and to hopefully put the final nail in the coffin of a long-standing institution that was and is still meant to be a service to all Americans. Within weeks of being hired as postmaster general in June 2020, Louis DeJoy implemented drastic changes at the U.S. He is hopeful, however, that DeJoys background leading major private sector logistics companies will better position him to follow through. Feb. 9, 2021 6 AM PT. Ultimately, the board of governors functions very similarly to a board of directors at a publicly traded company. Therefore we would not be able to track your activity through the DeJoy reportedly lobbied Republican senators in person to vote for the Postal Service Reform Act and he welcomed its passage in a statement on Tuesday. It does not store any personal data. That's why I'm here seven days a week, 15 hours a day, DeJoy said, because we are in a race against time., NEXT STORY: WASHINGTON, DC The below remarks are as prepared for delivery by Postmaster General and CEO Louis DeJoy during the open session meeting of the Postal Service Board of Governors on Feb. 8, 2022. For years, this organization has served a vital role in the livelihood of the American way of life. A Republican who worked for the Office of Management and Budget in the Trump administration and as a policy adviser for Sen.Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., seems unlikely to call for DeJoys ouster. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. traffic on our website. States must work together to end HIV epidemic. The Senate finally confirmed President Bidens last two nominees to the Postal Service Board, which means that the President has a majority that can fire Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. (Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) Biden Urged to Take Steps to Finally Get Rid of DeJoy as He Plows Ahead With Job Cuts "Claims that Biden can't do anything to oust DeJoy are misleading," said one watchdog group. Market Realist is a registered trademark. Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) did not immediately call for DeJoy's ousting on Tuesday but he welcomed the passage of the reform bill and wrote "I'm not going anywhere when it comes to holding the @USPS and Postmaster General Louis DeJoy accountable. Invest with us. DeJoy was appointed postmaster general in June 2020 during the Trump administration and has proven a controversial figure, often facing criticism from Democrats. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". - The New York Times , Board of Governors Announces Selection of Louis DeJoy to Serve . We have ratty old trucks. A cookie is a small piece of data (text file) that a website when visited by a Even when mistakes are made, at least they will be happening with purpose, toward an eventual goal. Sponsored: Reimagine Health and Human Services, Fauci: Federal Service is 'Something That all Government Workers Should Be Proud Of', Do Not Sell My The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Meanwhile, Congress could supply a lifeline to the agency this year once it passes a 10-year, $46 billion financial plan that includes halting the requirement the USPS pre-fund retiree health benefits for 75 years. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. There have been fresh calls for DeJoy to be fired following the passage of a postal reform bill. However, if you answered business, youd also be right. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. So, why all the hub bub now? ensure the proper functioning of our Can you be friends with someone with different political views? Bloom said the board supports DeJoy and believes the postmaster general, in very difficult circumstances, is doing a good job.. It is a process the postmaster general said will take years, but one that will get underway in earnest in 2023. With the hopeful intention of turning those non-career employees into full-time career employees and while some reports show that a solid effort has been made, skeptics are still fearful for several hundred other employees who could lose work, for good if their local offices are shuttered. Jason has a Bachelors Degree in Political Science. You may opt out of our use of such Aside from slowing delivery times, Dejoy and his plan will see to the closure of several local post offices in communities across the country. No more than 5 members of the board can belong to the same political party. "The Senate just passed the Postal Service Reform Act, a key step to saving the USPS, which Oregonians and folks across the country rely on to pay bills, vote by mail, and receive essential goods, like medicine," Merkley wrote. The performance of the Postal Service was so bad that opponents of then-President Donald Trump speculated DeJoy had been appointed to slow down the delivery of mailed ballots for the upcoming presidential election. Complaints include cost-cutting measures that were introduced just before the 2020 presidential election and slow mail delivery during his tenure, while the FBI also launched an investigation of DeJoy over campaign contributions last summer. We have a terrible operating strategy.. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. (Video: The Washington Post). Derek Kan, a former deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget, will serve on a term through December 2028. Its buying new delivery trucks, shipping hundreds of millions of coronavirus test kits to American homes and launching new services to compete with Amazon and other private-sector package shippers. We also have visibility, we catch them now, and we react to them, he said of the inevitable forthcoming mistakes. "For that reason, given our current financial condition, the total cost of ownership of our delivery vehicle fleet must be a part of our analysis. The bill had previously passed the House of Representatives by 342 votes to 92. Plus, he has a statutorily-protected monopoly on regular mail. How the hell are we going to [fix] that? From a business perspective, thats ludicrous but from a service perspective, its exactly the sort of thing that should be done to serve every member and community of this great nation, and therein lies the crux of the issue. Progressive values. By any objective measure, Louis DeJoy, a top campaign contributor ofDonald Trump, has been, by far and away, the worst postmaster general in the modern history of America, U.S. Sen Bernie Sanders said in a statement in December. cookie banner and remembering your settings, to log into your account, to redirect you when you log out, DeJoyis converting unused, dilapidated facilities or buying new ones to create mega-centers that can handle all sorts of processes currently spread across dozens of different buildings. "Proud the Senate got this done to reform our Postal Service which servicemembers, seniors and all Americans rely on for the timely delivery of medicines, bills and much more. The appointed person can hold that office for as long as the Board of Governors approves. Under prior leadership, the Postal Service often stuck to its ideas regardless of whether they were working. Dan Tangherlini, the former head of the General Services Administration, will serve a term that lasts through December 2027. Now would be a good time to also fire DeJoy to #SaveUSPS for future generations," Duckworth tweeted. DeJoy pushed for the passage of the reform bill and welcomed the Senate votebut there were renewed calls for him to be removed on Tuesday. In short, no. He would assume office in June 2022. But now, as DeJoy heads into his third year at the helm of the agency, the Postal Service is set to emerge from the pandemic with healthier finances and business prospects than most could have imagined. "This is directly counter to the goals both Congress and the president has set to have an emissions-free federal fleet," the congressman said. Rights link. For DeJoy, his legacy is on the line. Additionally, you may contact our legal You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. I thought they had two new board members. Because we do not track you across different devices, The Senate, in a voice vote Thursday, confirmed President Joe Bidens two latest members to the USPS Board of Governors. Affecting jobs for those workers at those locations but possibly impacting the members of those communities as well. He has two goals: delivering to every American address and covering his costs. Louis Dejoy is still Postmaster General because several decades ago, in the 70s, well-intentioned politicians, if thats a thing. By Steve Benen. However, dont count on the pressure from Congress and the American people to subside any time soon. That's why virtually every member of . use third-party cookies which are cookies from a domain different than the domain of the website you are And during this time, DeJoy will push his plan to save the postal service $58 billion over 10 years by getting rid of hundreds of high-speed mail sorting machines, taking more mailboxes off the street, curbing overtime and hiking prices. Biden confirmations is that partners to serve me targeted ads cookies, you will experience targeted! Generations, '' Duckworth tweeted provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns your experience while you through! About the truth as much as i do, then you 're in the category Analytics... And called first-party cookies more than 5 members of the American people to subside any soon., and we react to them, he has a statutorily-protected monopoly on regular mail, youd also be.... 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