Postmaster DeJoy says he won’t reverse changes during Monday hearing

Despite complaints to changes made to the USPS system, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy told Congress during Monday’s House Oversight Committee hearing that he will not restore mail-sorting machines or mailboxes removed from service as part of sweeping operational changes, reports the Associated Press.

Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-Mass., said the changes made by DeJoy this summer have reduced the reliability of mail service in the U.S. and have dismantled the system, claiming DeJoy’s actions have been deliberate.

In response DeJoy denied any wrongdoing and accused Lynch and other Democrats of spreading misinformation.

DeJoy, who has said his “No. 1 priority” is to ensure election mail arrives on time, said he will authorize expanded use of overtime, extra truck trips and other measures in the weeks before the election to ensure on-time delivery of ballots, reports the Associated Press.

During the oversight panel hearing on operational changes at the Postal Service, DeJoy addressed mail delays, urging voters to request mail-in ballots at least 15 days before the Nov. 3 election in order to mail it back on time, advising that voters mail ballots a minimum of seven days prior to the election.

Monday’s hearing followed approved legislation by the House on Saturday, which will reverse the changes and send $25 billion to shore up the agency ahead of the November election, reports the Associated Press.

At a Senate hearing last week, DeJoy recognized the “dip” in service, though disagreed with reports of widespread problems.

DeJoy said Monday he is in “full compliance” with ethics rules, reports the Associated Press, and defended his actions saying it was just “a plan to run trucks on time.”