Senator Peters Delivers Weekly Democratic Address
“For more than 245 years, the Postal Service has carried on a tradition of reliable, on-time delivery. Dedicated postal workers and letter carriers over the years have delivered mail through wars – through hurricanes – through rain and snow. And they've always done it on time," said Senator Gary Peters (D-MI). "Last week, after the new Postmaster General refused to give me clear answers about the causes of these delays, I launched an investigation. I’m working to find out what changes are causing these delays – and why were they put into place in the first place.”
Washington, D.C. – As Senate Democrats continue to push for more money for the Postal Service in the next coronavirus relief package and following reports about serious delays in delivery of letters, paychecks, medicines, and mail-in-ballots, Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) delivers this week’s Weekly Democratic Address. In the address, Senator Peters explains he has launched an investigation into the cause of these delays after the new Postmaster General Louis DeJoy refused to give clear answers. As part of the investigation, he is calling for families and small businesses across the country to share how they are being affected by these delays by visiting www.peters.senate.gov/postal. In closing, Senator Peters underscores the Postal Service's critical role and urges Americans work with the federal government to ensure we don't lose this critical lifeline that so many rely on each and every day.
The Weekly Democratic Address is available in both AUDIO AND VIDEO FORMAT. You may download the audio of the address HERE and the video of the address HERE.
Senator Peter's remarks as delivered follow:
"Hello, I’m Gary Peters. I proudly represent Michigan in the U.S. Senate.
"I also serve as the Ranking Member on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which oversees the U.S. Postal Service.
"Over the last few weeks, I have heard alarming reports from my constituents in Michigan about serious delays in mail deliveries.
"Veterans, small businesses, seniors, and rural residents have told my office about unexpected delays as they wait for their medicine, paychecks, bills and even mail-in ballots to arrive.
"Postal workers, mail handlers, letter carriers are all committed to getting the mail out every day – and they have shared stories of mail piling up in ways they have never seen before.
"For more than 245 years, the Postal Service has carried on a tradition of reliable, on-time delivery.
"Dedicated postal workers and letter carriers over the years have delivered mail through wars – through hurricanes – through rain and snow. And they've always done it on time.
"Last week, after the new Postmaster General refused to give me clear answers about the causes of these delays, I launched an investigation.
"I’m working to find out what changes are causing these delays – and why were they put into place in the first place.
"As part of my investigation, I want to know about how families and small businesses across the country are affected.
"If you have experienced an unexpected delay in your mail delivery, you can share that information with my office by going to www.peters.senate.gov/postal.
"Your story will help us protect the Postal Service and fix the delivery service problems that far too many Americans are now experiencing.
"The Postal Service is the only carrier that delivers to every address in the United States – no matter how remote.
"And unless we work together to overturn these service changes, we could lose this critical lifeline that so many Americans count on each and every day.
"I hope you will join me in shining a light on how these disruptions impact your life. Together we can ensure the Postal Service will continue to provide steady, reliable service for generations to come."
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