Schumer, House dems summon USPS leaders for hearing

Democratic-run House on Sunday demanded that leaders of U.S. Postal Service testify at an emergency oversight hearing Aug. 24 on mail delays.

It comes as concerns grow that Trump White House is trying to undermine ncy during coronavirus pandemic while states expand mail-in voting options for vember presidential election.

House Oversight and Reform Committee said it wants to hear from new Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and from chair of Postal Service board of goverrs, Robert "Mike" Duncan.

With heightened scrutiny of its operations, ncy is w requesting a temporary preelection rate increase, from mid-October through Christmas, although t for first-class letters.

ncy did t immediately respond to requests for comment about wher two men would appear before House committee.

But it said Sunday it would stop removing its distinctive blue mailboxes through mid-vember following complaints from customers and members of Congress that collection boxes were being taken away.

anuncement comes as pressure increases on DeJoy, a major Republican dor and ally of president who took control of ncy in June.

DeJoy has pledged to modernize money-losing ncy to make it more efficient, and has eliminated most overtime for postal workers, imposed restrictions on transportation and reduced of quantity and use of mail-processing equipment.

On Sunday, Senate Mirity Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said DeJoy must answer to American people.

Schumer is joined by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California and New York Rep. Carolyn Maloney, committee chair, and Michigan Sen. Gary Peters, top Democrat on Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which oversees Postal Service.

"To slow down mail at any time is disgraceful. To slow it down in COVID is despicable and hurts people's lives," Schumer said at a news conference in New York.

Trump said last week that he was blocking a $25 billion emergency injection sought by Postal Service, as well as a Democratic proposal to provide $3.6 billion in additional election money to states.

Republican president worries that mail-in voting could cost him reelection.

money for post office is intended to help with processing an expected surge of mail-in ballots.

Both funding requests have been tied up in congressional negotiations over a new coronavirus relief pack.

On Saturday, Trump tried to mass his mess, saying he supports increasing money for Postal Service.

He said he was refusing to capitulate to Democrats on or parts of relief pack, including funding for states weighed down by debt accumulated before pandemic.

But president's critics were t appeased, contending that Trump has made calculation that a lower voter turut would improve his chances of winning a second term.

"He says he wants to slow down mail to hurt elections and make people doubt results of election. Maybe he's worried he's going to lose, it doesn't matter," said Schumer.

"Our elections are sacred. Men and women have died for m and right to vote."

Funding a cash-strapped Postal Service has quickly turned into a top campaign issue as Trump presses his unsupported claim that increased mail-in voting will undermine credibility of election and Democrats push back.