Evans Calls for End to USPS Leaders' New Cover-Up Policy

Press Release

New stonewalling policy blocks members of Congress from meeting with local postmasters, getting information for constituents on machines, boxes and more
PHILADELPHIA (Sept. 3, 2020) -- Congressman Dwight Evans (PA-03) is calling for an end to what he calls a new policy of covering up and stonewalling by leadership of the U.S. Postal Service following a wave of complaints by customers.

"Since the new postmaster general took over a few months ago, the mail has been slowed down, and members of Congress like me have received many, many complaints. People have had trouble getting their prescription medication, their bills, Social Security checks and other vital mail," Evans said at a news conference outside the Greene Street post office in Germantown.

"As elected representatives of the people, members of Congress used to be able to work with the Postal Service to resolve or address complaints like these. We were able to talk directly with postal officials here in Philadelphia about issues here in our city. That's the way it should be."

Evans said his office was told recently to route all meeting requests about Philadelphia concerns, including removal of mail drop boxes in the 3rd Congressional District, and a report of sorting machines being removed from a West Philadelphia postal office, to USPS headquarters in Washington. The headquarters then denied the meeting request and said it would only address local concerns by referring to a statement Postmaster General Louis DeJoy gave to the House Oversight Committee on Aug. 24.

Evans said, "You can search that entire statement for the words "Philadelphia' or "Pennsylvania' -- they're not there! The postal service leadership has decided to stonewall us and be unaccountable to the people. It's not about me -- it's about serving the people. And you have to ask -- What are they trying to hide? What are they afraid we will learn?"

Evans is asking the public and postal workers to help with information: "If you have photos or video of a machine that's been removed, or a photo or video of a location where a mail drop box has been removed, you can send it to me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram -- I'm @RepDwightEvans on all three of those. You can use a private message or direct message if you need to. Or you can email my office at PA03.SocialMedia@mail.house.gov."

Evans urged the Senate to pass the Delivering for America Act, which the House passed Aug. 22, on a bipartisan 257-150 vote, with 26 Republicans voting in favor. This bill would provide $25 billion the Postal Service requested to help weather the coronavirus crisis and prohibit USPS from implementing any changes to operations or the level of service it had in place on Jan. 1, 2020.

"The Postal Service leaders' new stonewalling policy is blocking Congress from doing its constitutional duty. The Constitution, which was signed here in Philadelphia and includes the Postal Service, calls for checks and balances on the executive branch that Congress funds, and the Trump administration is thwarting that once again," Evans said.

"The people deserve answers. You deserve a postal service that lives up to the name SERVICE, as it has in the past. And I'm going to keep fighting for you!"

Evans was joined at the news conference by Councilwoman Katherine Gilmore Richardson; Nick Casselli, president of the local American Postal Workers Union (APWU); Friends of the Greene Street Post Office; Ashmead Place Neighbors and concerned citizens from the Mt. Airy neighborhood.

Evans represents Pennsylvania's 3rd Congressional District, which includes Northwest and West Philadelphia and parts of North, South, Southwest and Center City Philadelphia.

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