Eleven Congress Members From NY Send Letter To US Postmaster General
BROOKLYN – Sounds like Congresswoman Yvette Clarke was not all that happy with her meeting with the Postmaster in Brooklyn, as her office just shared this letter, that Clarke and other members of NY Congressional Delegation are sending to the Postmaster General, asking for a “detailed course of action to mitigate the multitude of ongoing postal issues facing several communities across the city”.
The letter was also signed by House Democratic Caucus Chairman Joe Crowley, Congressman Eliot L. Engel, Congressman Adriano Espaillat, Congressman Hakeem S. Jeffries, Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney, Congressman Gregory W. Meeks, Congresswoman Grace Meng, Congressman Jerrold Nadler, Congressman José E. Serrano, and Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez.
Given how widespread the issues are, let’s hope there is strength in numbers and that some good comes of it for all of us. Here are the statements Congress Members sent along:
Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09): “After meeting with Brooklyn’s Postmaster this week, I remain deeply concerned about delivery, efficiency, and service, at postal offices across my district. Especially, the suspension of mail service for nearly a week last month, which affected many seniors and people with disabilities. After conferring with colleagues among the New York City delegation, it is clear that this issue far exceeds the boundaries of New York’s Ninth Congressional District and plagues entire region. Our constituents expect their government to meet their needs and it is our duty as their representatives to hold any and all splintered government agencies accountable. We look forward to hearing from the Postmaster General.”
Chairman Joe Crowley (NY-14): “My District offices in the Bronx and Queens have been inundated with calls from constituent outraged by unreliable mail delivery services. This is not a simple inconvenience, it’s a major burden that keeps our boroughs from functioning properly. All of us rely on the postal service to manage our daily obligations, and I expect the USPS will take immediate action to improve these vital services.”
Congressman Eliot Engel (NY-16): “This is an issue that has proven to be systemic throughout the entire New York City and Westchester region. My office has been working non-stop to address different postal issues—ranging from inadequate or non-existent delivery service to missing mail—for months now. But the process has been like plugging holes in a dam; when we get one problem area fixed, another one opens up somewhere else. The response has been lackluster from the Post Office both locally and in Washington and it’s just unacceptable. Today the entire New York delegation is standing together to say in a clear voice that the Post Office must listen to the concerns of our constituents and come up with real, tangible plans to fix the entire broken system immediately.”
Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13): “I have long been concerned about the United States Postal Service’s (USPS) ability to provide prompt, reliable, and efficient services to our communities. I often hear from my constituents their concerns and frustrations with longer wait times, reduced staff and language barriers when visiting local post offices. This is the 21st century and no one should ever have to wait in line two hours to send a package, change their mailing address, get a passport, or get tax forms and other essential government services. Innovation leads to success and reliable service is essential to ensuring residents can fully utilize the important benefits provided by the USPS.”
Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (NY-12): “Recent reports of significant problems with USPS delivery and dependability in NYC must be addressed and that starts with implementing the recommendations from the Inspector General. I look forward to hearing how USPS is progressing on addressing these issues and will continue to monitor the situation with my colleagues to make sure that this important public service is fulfilling its obligations. The USPS has been one of Americas most trusted and dependable institutions and I am hopeful that by implementing the OIG’s recommendations they can restore this reputation in NYC.”
Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06): “Complaints about the Postal Service in my district have reached an all-time high. Problems are a regular occurrence and continue to grow. Throughout my district, constituents have complained about missing mail, untimely delivery, receiving wrong mail, packages not being picked up or delivered, and poor customer service at several post office branches. These constant problems are unacceptable. Queens residents are entitled to reliable and timely mail service. During this week’s meeting with the Postal Service, we made our complaints loud and clear, and Postal officials clearly heard about the problems impacting our constituents. It is imperative that the agency now follow through on its commitment to resolve these issues, and we will keep the pressure on until they do.”
Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez (NY-07): “When postal deliveries are delayed and unreliable, New York’s residents, small businesses and local economies all suffer. I am proud to join my fellow New York colleagues in pressing the United States Postal Service on what they are doing to restore a timely delivery service and fully remedy this ongoing issue.”