U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sent a letter to U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy on Feb. 11 regarding a recent advisory opinion issued by the Postal Regulatory Commission that the Postal Service’s proposed Regional Transportation Optimization (RTO) would further delay mail delivery for Americans in rural areas.Â
“I urge you to halt implementation of this plan for the sake of rural Americans who depend on the mail and in accordance with the Post Office’s mission to serve all Americans,” wrote Hawley. “…these proposed changes will leave America’s rural communities — including many in my home state of Missouri — with further degraded mail service at a time when rural families already face significant challenges with their mail.”Â
Hawley has fought for rural Americans’ mail delivery as the challenges have continued without relief. In a recent Senate hearing, Hawley pressed the postmaster general on this proposal before its release to urge his reconsideration. Hawley also introduced the Rural Post Office Reconstruction Act to establish a clear timeframe for reopening rural post offices that experience closure due to natural disaster damage or other unforeseen circumstances.
Anyone can certainly add me to the growing list of rural customers needs reliable rural post office delivery. Here are my statistics for Senator Hawley: takes up to 10 days and longer from rural Roby to rural CO when sent first class. I will almost guarantee it will take two weeks minimum to get my forwarded mail (in case u didn’t get the memo I forwarded my Roby mail this week).
I just received regular mail addressed to me from Roby, MO to rural Colorado. I received it in three days. That’s exceptional service. Thank you USPS.