U.S. Senator Josh Hawley | Official U.S. Senate headshot
U.S. Senator Josh Hawley | Official U.S. Senate headshot
U.S. Senator Josh Hawley raised concerns during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee nominations hearing for the United States Postal Service (USPS) Board of Governors. He questioned nominees Val Demings, William Zollars, and Gordon Hartogensis about their dedication to addressing rural mail delivery issues.
Senator Hawley highlighted the USPS's proposed "Regional Transportation Optimization" plan, which he believes could negatively impact rural mail services, including those in Missouri. He cited a letter from the Missouri Farm Bureau to the Postmaster General expressing similar worries. The Senator sought assurance from the nominees to "reconsider this proposal and make sure rural Americans [...] are getting full and regular delivery of the mail."
Hawley also inquired if the nominees would prioritize reopening rural post offices damaged by severe weather, particularly mentioning Baring, Mo., where a tornado destroyed the local post office approximately a year ago.
“Are you willing to commit to me today that if confirmed, you will work to get rural post offices—all post offices, but it’s particularly acute in our rural areas that have been put out of service—will you commit to me to working to get those reopened on a timely basis?” Senator Hawley asked.
The nominees agreed to work towards reopening these damaged facilities.
Senator Hawley has consistently advocated for reliable mail delivery in rural areas. He was instrumental in reopening Vichy, Mo.'s post office after its closure due to termite damage. Additionally, he pressed USPS CEO Louis DeJoy for a timeline on rebuilding Baring's post office and introduced the Rural Post Office Reconstruction Act of 2023. This act aims to set clear timelines for reopening rural post offices closed due to natural disasters or other unforeseen events.
Since 2022, Senator Hawley has sought answers from USPS regarding postal delays in Kansas City, Mo., reaching out through letters addressed to both the USPS Inspector General and Mr. DeJoy.
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