Sen. Jon Ossoff Pushes for Senate Oversight of Postmaster General

ATLANTA (AP) — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff of Georgia is advocating for increased congressional oversight in the selection of the U.S. postmaster general after significant mail service disruptions in his state.

Ossoff’s proposed Postmaster General Reform Act aims to mandate Senate confirmation for the president’s appointment of the postmaster general, a role currently filled by the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors without congressional approval. The legislation would also impose a limit of two five-year terms for postmasters, addressing the absence of term restrictions in the current framework.

“The recent mail delivery failures in Georgia highlight a lack of leadership and management within the Postal Service, particularly from the postmaster general,” Ossoff stated during a news conference on Wednesday.

Lawmakers in Georgia have attributed ongoing delivery problems to operational challenges at a postal facility in suburban Atlanta. The USPS consolidated several facilities into a single location in Palmetto, a move intended to enhance efficiency.

Similar hubs have been established in Richmond, Virginia, and Portland, Oregon, as the Postal Service grapples with nationwide delivery slowdowns and financial struggles. Since 1997, first-class mail volume has plummeted by 80%, contributing to an $87 billion loss from 2007 to 2020.

Despite these efforts, Georgia was identified as the lowest-performing state in a Postal Service performance report for the second quarter of 2024, which tracked mail delivery times. Ossoff has consistently sought updates from Postmaster General Louis DeJoy on plans to rectify these operational issues, a sentiment echoed by several Georgia Republican U.S. House members.

“This is about ensuring that seniors receive their medications on time, that citizens get critical court notices, and that small businesses can operate effectively,” Ossoff emphasized. “Reliable postal service is not a luxury; it’s a necessity.”

After the opening of the Palmetto facility, on-time delivery rates saw a steep decline. While Georgia maintained a 90% on-time delivery rate for most of 2023, that figure dropped below 40% in March but has since rebounded to over 80%.

Ossoff visited the Palmetto site in June, criticizing DeJoy’s management as employees statewide were relocated there. DeJoy assured local officials that staffing would be increased and that mail service was showing signs of improvement.

Ossoff expressed confidence that his proposed legislation would garner bipartisan support, stating, “This role is of such significance that a thorough vetting process is essential for those who are elected to confirm our federal officials.”