Postmaster General testifies

Transcript

Friday morning President Trump’s postmaster general Louis DeJoy testified before a Republican-led Senate committee.

The virtual hearing comes after Democrats accused the Trump administration of intentionally changing USPS operations to sabotage mail-in voting ahead of the election.

The changes included cutting overtime and limiting post office hours, which workers said were causing massive delivery delays.

Following public outcry DeJoy announced Tuesday that the changes will be suspended until after the election.

It was DeJoy’s first opportunity to publicly answer questions about the changes.

During the hearing to DeJoy denied that he changed USPS policies regarding the election this year and assured lawmakers that ballots mailed on time will arrive on time to be counted.

And that USPS is “fully capable” of delivering the election mail securely.

He also said he believes Americans should be able to vote by mail.

But despite DeJoy’s reversal on the changes, many Americans have already been impacted.

Democratic Senator Gary Peter grilled DeJoy saying his changes caused Americans harm.

Peters said he received reports from people skipping doses of their medication, their small businesses losing customers or having to lay off employees because of the changes.

Peters also asked DeJoy if any any mail-sorting machines that were removed since he became postmaster general would come back.

DeJoy said “they’re not needed” and would not be returned to facilities.

DeJoy also testified that he never spoke with Trump or anyone at the White House about Postal Service changes or their potential impact on the November election.

Posted – 8.21.20