Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi Grills Postmaster General DeJoy on Raising Prices While Diminishing Service at the USPS

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) questioned Postmaster General Louis DeJoy during a House Committee on Oversight and Accountability hearing on the state of the United States Postal Service (USPS). Under the tenure of Postmaster General DeJoy and his Delivering for America plan, the USPS has seen diminished service and increased costs for millions, especially for those from rural communities, small businesses, and seniors, who conduct business, personal correspondence, and critical services such as paying bills and receiving health care through the USPS. The USPS is responsible for delivering 421 million pieces of mail and 23 million packages every single day.

"Since 2021, the cost of a first-class Forever stamp has risen six times under Postmaster General DeJoy, jumping from 55 cents to 73 cents," Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. "Meanwhile, service standards at USPS post offices across the country are dropping, including in my district in Des Plaines and Palatine, Illinois, where critical mail is being lost. Undelivered mail reports and images directly from USPS employees show hundreds of pieces of mail and packages backed up waiting to be delivered. Under Postmaster General DeJoy’s Delivering for America plan, Americans are paying more for slower, less reliable service, all while Postmaster General DeJoy sees his salary increase. The state of the USPS is unacceptable, and I am committed to holding Postmaster General DeJoy accountable and making sure service levels are dependable.”

Congressman Krishnamoorthi has been an outspoken advocate on behalf of the USPS during his time in Congress, repeatedly denouncing efforts to increase prices and reduce service. In May, Congressman Krishnamoorthi joined with Ranking Members Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Kweisi Mfume (D-MD), and Gerry Connolly (D-VA) in calling on the Postal Regulatory Commission to reject the latest of the rate hikes to first-class Forever stamps. Congressman Krishnamoorthi also joined with Ranking Member Raskin in leading 80 other Democratic House members in calling on the Biden Administration to fill the open vacancies on the Postal Service’s Board of Governors.

The congressman’s full question line can be viewed here.