This week, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley addressed the Senate to express his concerns regarding recent changes to the United States Postal Service (USPS) under Postmaster General Louis DeJoy’s “Delivering For America” plan. Implemented in 2021, the plan aimed to streamline operations within the postal service, but according to Merkley, it has led to significant delays in mail delivery, particularly in Oregon.
Merkley dubbed the initiative “Delaying Mail in America,” pointing out that one of the plan’s key elements was the centralization of mail sorting to Portland. This change meant that mail previously sorted in smaller facilities, such as those in Medford and Eugene, would now need to be sent to Portland, adding hundreds of miles to the delivery route.
During his speech, Merkley shared numerous complaints from Oregonians who have been negatively impacted by the plan. The complaints highlighted issues ranging from delays in receiving life-saving medications to difficulties in maintaining contact with loved ones.
“Now the postal service claims that this doesn’t delay mail, but they refuse to explain how adding on 500 to 600 extra miles of driving doesn’t delay the mail,” Merkley stated, questioning the logic behind the plan’s implementation.
In response to concerns raised by lawmakers and the public, the USPS has paused further planned changes to processing and delivery systems that could potentially affect other states. The postal service indicated that they would move forward with the plan after conducting further studies on its potential impacts.
As the debate continues, many are watching closely to see how these changes will affect mail delivery across the nation, with Senator Merkley remaining a vocal advocate for those who rely on timely and reliable postal services.
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