U. S. Senator Jon Ossoff turns up heat on postmaster general over delays in service 

During testimony before the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, it was revealed that the U.S. Postal Service is achieving on-time delivery of first-class mail in the Atlanta area only 36% of the time. This revelation has come amidst weeks of slow mail movement at the new Atlanta Regional Processing and Distribution Center in Palmetto, frustrating customers and prompting concerns from U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff.

Senator Ossoff expressed his frustration during the hearing, highlighting the impact of the delays on his constituents, including individuals awaiting prescription deliveries, struggling to pay rent or mortgages, and businesses facing disruptions in shipping and supply receipt. He emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues, telling Postmaster General Louis DeJoy that there is a limited timeframe to resolve the situation.

DeJoy attributed the problems to the Postal Service’s outdated infrastructure and processes, which he attributed to chronic underfunding and the delayed pursuit of long-term viability. However, Ossoff challenged DeJoy’s response, questioning whether a private-sector competitor would have tolerated such a significant decrease in on-time delivery and a prolonged timeline for resolution.

Furthermore, Ossoff expressed disappointment when DeJoy admitted to not having read a letter sent by Ossoff on March 14, emphasizing the importance of personally addressing communications from members of the U.S. Senate committee overseeing Postal Service operations, especially in light of significant challenges in fulfilling the organization’s core mission.