Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, pressed by senators over campaign season mail disruptions, said Friday he was unaware of some recent changes by his agency until they sparked a public uproar.
But he also said he has no plans to restore mailboxes or high-speed sorting machines that have been removed.
His testimony raised fresh questions about how the Postal Service will ensure timely delivery of ballots for the November election.
DeJoy told senators that election mail would be prioritized for delivery as in years past. But he said that blue curbside collection boxes and sorting equipment that have been removed are “not needed.”
DeJoy distanced himself from President Donald Trump’s complaints about mail-in ballots that are expected to surge in the coronavirus pandemic, but he told senators could not yet provide a detailed plan about how he will ensure on-time election mail delivery.
He declared that the Postal Service “is fully capable and committed to delivering the nation’s election mail securely and on-time.” He said that was his “No. 1 priority between now and Election Day.” “I think the American people should be able to vote by mail,” DeJoy testified.
The new postmaster general, a Trump donor and ally who took the job in June, has faced a public outcry over changes and delivery delays. Democrats warn his cost-cutting initiatives are causing an upheaval that threatens the election.
They peppered him during a two-hour hearing with questions about the Trump administration’s push to starve the Postal Service of funds to process ballots for November. Trump had said he wants to block agency funds to make it harder for the Postal Service to handle the expected surge of mail-in ballots during the COVID-19 crisis. DeJoy said he has had few conversations with White House officials.
He said he had “no idea” equipment was being removed until the public outcry. Democrats asked DeJoy to explain the rationale behind the changes and pressed him on how, exactly, he would ensure election mail and ballots would arrive on time.
“Do you have a more detailed plan?” demanded Senator Maggie Hassan, D-N H, asking for it by Sunday.
“I don’t think we’ll have a complete plan by Sunday night,” DeJoy replied, acknowledging it was just being formed.
Grilled by Senator Jacky Rosen, D-Nev, DeJoy acknowledged he did few studies of how the changes he was making would impact seniors, veterans and working families.
“Is there any analysis?” she demanded. He said his analysis showed delivery would be improved.