Postmaster General Louis DeJoy To Testify Before US House As Mail-In Voting Controversy Persists

Amid accusations of the Trump administration sabotaging the U.S. Postal Service to gain an election edge, embattled postmaster general Louis DeJoy will testify before the House of Representatives next Monday. DeJoy, a Trump appointee and major Republican donor, has overseen the agency cutbacks that have raised concerns in recent weeks and creating a firestorm of controversy.

The House was called back by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., due to the concerns surrounding the postal service. It is expected to vote on a measure to protect the agency from changes prior to the election soon. This measure would include $25 billion in funding.

“In a time of a pandemic, the Postal Service is Election Central,” Pelosi said in a letter sent to representatives on Sunday. “Lives, livelihoods and the life of our American Democracy are under threat from the president.”

Under DeJoy’s leadership, hundreds of sorting machines have reportedly been removed from post offices across the country. These machines are expected to be used to sort mail-in ballots during the general election, sparking the concerns about sabotage from the Trump administration. President Trump has frequently stated that expanded mail-in voting would favor Democrats, despite ample evidence that it does not favor any party.

“Wouldn’t do that,” Trump said Monday at a White House press briefing. “I have encouraged everybody: Speed up the mail, not slow the mail.”

DeJoy has recently stated that his intentions are to improve the efficiency and financial standing of the Postal Service, which has operated at an increasing loss over the years due to the continued decline of first-class and business mail.

The cutbacks are also expected to endanger those who count on the postal service to deliver life-saving medications in a timely manner, as well as residents in rural areas who rely on post offices in remote regions for many things.