Postmaster General Louis DeJoy says he will stop USPS changes until after November election

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said in a statement he had been making changes at the agency to ensure its long-term sustainability, but would suspend them “to avoid even the appearance of any impact on election mail.”

By USA TODAY

Nicholas Wu

Negotiations For New Coronavirus Relief Package Continue At The Capitol — U.S. Postmaster General Louis Dejoy arrives at a meeting at the office of Speaker of the House Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) at the U.S. Capitol August 5, 2020 in Washington, DC.

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WASHINGTON — The head of the U.S. Postal Service said he would pause operational changes at the agency until after the November election after lawmakers expressed fear the changes would hinder the collection of mail-in ballots.

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said in a statement he had been making changes at the agency to ensure its long-term sustainability, but “to avoid even the appearance of any impact on election mail, I am suspending these initiatives until after the election is concluded.”

DeJoy also said he would expand a task force on election mail.

DeJoy’s reversal on the changes comes amid increased scrutiny from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle of the changes and service cuts at the agency. He is set to testify before the Senate on Friday and the House on Monday.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called the House back early from its recess to vote on legislation Saturday preventing any further changes at the Postal Service.

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Postmaster General says he will stop USPS changes until after November election

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said in a statement he had been making changes at the agency to ensure its long-term sustainability, but would suspend them “to avoid even the appearance of any impact on election mail.”