HAZELWOOD, Mo. — Lawmakers from Illinois and Missouri are demanding action by the U.S. Postal Service following concerns about mail delays and the closure of rural post offices.
Thursday afternoon Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL) introduced a bill demanding improved accountability from the postal service after he says he received more than 250 complaints from constituents over a two-year period.
“It particularly can be a major lifeline,” Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) said. “It often is, especially for older folks.”
In April, Hawley sent a letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy demanding answers about mail delays in rural areas across the Show Me State.
“The idea that you may have to wait weeks before your prescriptions would come, or our social security check, or you might have to wait weeks to hear from a family member is not acceptable,” Sen. Hawley said.
That’s why Hawley and three other Missouri lawmakers recently sent a letter to Postmaster General DeJoy calling for an audit of the Hazelwood Mail Sorting and Distribution Center.
“So far what I’ve seen is reports from the audits and reports from the Inspector General that say there are multiple issues in execution,” Sen. Hawley said. “I don’t see post office leadership, so far, addressing those.”
“That may be necessary,” Hawley said. “The truth is we can’t have this continuing pattern. In our state, it’s just about everywhere you look.”
Hawley said he doesn’t blame postal workers for the ongoing issues.
“If our folks on the ground, postal workers on the ground, need more reinforcements then headquarters need to give it to them,” Hawley said. “This can’t go on like this. People need their mail.”
A spokesman for the US Postal Service told 5 On Your Side they have received that letter and would be responding to those who sent it directly.