Amid Trump Admin’s Attacks Against Postal Service, Shaheen Visits USPS Mail Processing Facility

Shaheen tours the USPS Processing & Distribution Facility in Manchester.

(Manchester, NH) – Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen visited the U.S. Postal Service’s Processing and Distribution Facility in Manchester to discuss the impact of the Trump administration’s seemingly politically motivated policy changes to its operations. The visit to the facility comes in response to Postmaster General DeJoy and President Trump’s recent changes to the USPS that are undermining its operations ahead of the 2020 elections and affecting its ability to provide timely deliveries. Reports have emerged showing that the Postal Service removed 711 mail sorting machines from postal facilities in the U.S. – including one from Manchester. As a result of this and other harmful actions, mail delivery – including for prescriptions – has been significantly delayed. Despite a commitment by the Postmaster General to suspend changes to USPS until after the November election, he has refused to reverse policy changes that have already been made, while Senate Republicans continue to refuse legislation action to alleviate the crisis facing the USPS.

During the visit, Shaheen discussed recent events involving the Postal Service with regional leadership from the agency and toured the facility. Shaheen highlighted what she’s heard from Granite Staters on the devastating impact that mail delivery delays have had on their health, livelihoods and well-being. She also underscored the need for Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to immediately act on legislation to restore timely delivery, permanently reverse and table the administration’s planned changes to USPS and fully fund the agency in COVID-19 relief legislation.

“The Postal Service and its dedicated workforce play an integral role in our communities, providing an essential service to Granite Staters who have relied more and more on mail amid this pandemic to receive their prescription medications, conduct business, and so much more. Yet despite the tremendous need for USPS’ services, the Trump administration continues its harmful, partisan attacks on the agency. These attacks hurt our working families who rely on the USPS for everyday needs. These attacks have to stop.” said Shaheen. “I appreciate the opportunity I had today to speak to USPS regional leadership on the impact these changes have had on operations at the Manchester Post Office. I’ll continue to fight to halt and reverse these changes and push Mitch McConnell to allow the Senate to finally act on legislation that would restore timely delivery and fully fund USPS.”

Senator Shaheen is working to protect the United States Postal Service and its employees against attacks from the Trump administration. This week, she filed an amicus brief in support of legal challenges to recent operational changes implemented by the USPS  that have resulted in unreliable service and widespread delays ahead of the 2020 election. She called for answers on mail delivery concerns that they have heard from Granite Staters. Shaheen previously called on the newly-appointed Postmaster General to answer for the recent changes to long-standing operations that have slowed mail delivery, including demanding immediate action following reports of significant delays in veterans’ prescription medications. Additionally, Shaheen has repeatedly called for additional funding to support the U.S. Postal Service in the next COVID-19 relief package. Last month, Shaheen hosted a video call with unions representing New Hampshire employees of USPS and stood with postal workers to condemn the Trump administration’s attacks on the USPS.