U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter to United States Postal Service (USPS) Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to investigate the removal of post office collection boxes in Montana and to express concerns about potential impacts on service times.
“The United States Postal Service (USPS) is an essential service for Montanans in both urban and rural towns and is relied upon by Montana veterans, the elderly, and rural communities across the state,” Daines wrote. “Recently, I have received concerning reports that collection boxes have been removed in many Montana communities, including in Billings, Bozeman, Missoula, and Livingston and the potential that the removals of collection boxes could result in delayed mail delivery and reduced mail options for Montanans. If so, that is unacceptable, and I request additional information about why these boxes have already been removed, any future plans the USPS has for other collection boxes in the state, and if these changes will affect delivery times.”
Daines is a strong advocate for USPS and has been working in the Senate to ensure it has the resources and tools necessary to work for Montanans.
To read the full letter, click HERE.
Background:
On August 6th, 2020, Daines sent a letter to the United States Postal Service (USPS) Postmaster General DeJoy urging him to reverse his decision to hold mail for delivery until the next day for pieces that were delayed to ensure Montanans receive their mail, which includes life-saving prescription drugs, on time.
On July 2nd, 2020, Daines introduced a bipartisan bill to provide USPS with $25 billion in funding to keep their operations afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic and procure Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to protect Postal workers.
Earlier this year, Daines introduced the USPS Fairness Act, which would repeal a burdensome mandate requiring the U.S. Postal Service to pre-fund its employees’ retirement benefits. USPS is the only federal agency that has this requirement and this legislation would put the USPS on stronger financial footing.
On May 7th, 2020, Daines sent a letter to Senate leadership urging emergency funding, additional borrowing authority, and debt forgiveness to support the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and help it survive the current national pandemic.
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