WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) made the following statement responding to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy’s announcement that previously scheduled “operational changes” to the U.S. Postal Service would be delayed until after the election:

“President Trump made no secret of his efforts to sabotage the Postal Service in order to make it harder to vote by mail. I’m glad that Postmaster General DeJoy finally announced he would reverse his harmful decisions that led to a reduction of service just weeks before the election, but too many Americans are still waiting for Social Security checks, delayed medications and other deliveries. Majority Leader McConnell should call the full Senate back in session immediately to fund the Postal Service through a broader COVID relief bill and protect the integrity of our upcoming election. This is something all Americans—regardless of political party—should support. We must ensure full funding to save the USPS,” said Murphy.

Murphy has been a strong supporter of the United States Postal Service. Murphy joined his colleague U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) in a letter addressing the general problems of USPS since DeJoy was appointed. Murphy also joined his colleague U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) in a letter focused on USPS operations as it related to election mail delivery times that could potentially slow absentee ballots. Murphy is also a co-sponsor of the Postal Service Emergency Assistance Act, which would provide up to $25 billion in emergency financial relief for the USPS to cover revenue losses and operational expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic and would also the USPS to prioritize the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE) for employees and to conduct additional cleaning and sanitizing of its facilities and vehicles. The House-passed Heroes Act, which Majority Leader McConnell has refused to take up in the Senate, included $25 billion in funding and requires PPE for postal employees.

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