Mail delivery delays affecting parts of Missouri were highlighted Thursday during a congressional hearing, as a St. Louis-area lawmaker pressed for answers and reforms.
U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell, D-Mo. 1st District, told lawmakers the problem has impacted residents in his district since he took office, with delays affecting essential items.
“Their mail isn’t showing up when they need it, whether it’s prescriptions, tax returns, bills, or letters from their loved ones,” Bell said. “People in St. Louis don’t know where their mail is or when it’s coming.”
Bell pointed to a Postal Service Inspector General audit conducted last year that found delayed mail at multiple delivery locations across the St. Louis region.
“They found delayed mail at every single one,” Bell said. “My constituents didn’t need an audit to tell them that. They’ve known it for years. But now it’s documented, it’s on the record, and there’s no excuse for it not to be fixed.”
During the hearing, Bell questioned U.S. Postal Regulatory Commission member Ashley Poling about what role the agency plays in addressing those findings.
“What role does the Postal Regulatory Commission play in making sure these findings lead to real changes on the ground?” Bell asked.
Poling said the commission currently has limited authority in that area but suggested additional oversight could help address systemic issues.
“Currently, we don’t have a specific role when it comes to those exact changes on the ground,” Poling said. “I think it would be very helpful … for the Commission to have more oversight when it comes to that process.”
Bell has introduced the St. Louis Up to Par Act, which would require the Postal Service to meet delivery performance standards and improve service in areas experiencing persistent delays.
The hearing comes as the U.S. Postmaster General warned Congress in March that the agency could run out of cash within a year without changes.
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