Postmaster Common Louis DeJoy sought to handle criticisms and issues about mail-in ballots forward of the upcoming presidential election in a congressional listening to Thursday.
Testifying earlier than a subcommittee of the Home Appropriations Committee, DeJoy stated the U.S. Postal Service could be “even better prepared” for the surge on mail-in ballots in 2024 in comparison with the unprecedented rise in 2020 amid the pandemic.
“We function because the one uniform component in a sea of variation in the case of elections,” he stated.
Final week, DeJoy expressed frustration after dealing with criticisms from former President Trump and different elected officers, saying it will be “wrong” to say mail-in ballots could be misplaced underneath his watch.
However, with lower than 40 days till the election, representatives of extra rural districts are nonetheless involved concerning the effectivity of the postal system.
Within the listening to, Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-Pa.), who represents areas of Japanese Pennsylvania, cited an August article from The Washington Publish about plans to permit slower providers for extra rural areas of the nation after the election.
DeJoy dismissed the claims, saying the outlet was traditionally a “negative, unsubstantiated, sensationalized newspaper” for issues associated to america Postal Service.
Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) additionally expressed issues, citing issues with a pilot program, which resulted in delays throughout the nation, together with in Wisconsin.
“You know what I would really appreciate? If you could show us a specific plan for Wisconsin, because you broke us, right?” Pocan stated.
DeJoy tried to excuse previous errors, saying “the first rockets that went to the moon blew up.” He emphasised the Postal Service has since discovered and is working to enhance providers in rural areas.
“We do everything we possibly can in an imperfect system that expects the perfect,” DeJoy stated. “We’re a good target for a lot of blame.”
The postmaster common additionally referenced scrutiny on Georgia mail-in poll processing, saying that what went on within the state’s previous was an “embarrassment” to the Postal Service, however that investments and modifications will quickly make the state’s postal providers amongst “one of the best within the nation.”
All through the listening to, DeJoy repeatedly reassured the subcommittee that the service is doing every thing in its energy to organize for the election and surge of ballots whereas working underneath the constraints of the federal authorities.
DeJoy even lower off Cartwright earlier than he might end asking if Americans can belief the mail-in poll system.
“Absolutely. I don’t know why you wouldn’t,” DeJoy stated.
