Minnesota congressional delegation demands full audit into regional US Postal Service operations

The Minnesota congressional delegation on Thursday requested a full audit into the U.S. Postal Service operations in the Minnesota-North Dakota District, joining the state’s senators in demanding answers to allegations of “ongoing poor delivery” and “poor worker treatment.”

“The USPS is a critical resource to our constituents, many of whom are frustrated with ongoing poor delivery service,” Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) wrote in a letter sent to U.S. Postal Service Inspector General Tammy Hull. The letter was signed by the state’s entire House delegation.

“Over the course of the last year and a half, we have heard from thousands of constituents who are disappointed with their mail service. Some have been without mail service for days at a time, while others report consistently lost mail or egregiously slow delivery for First Class Mail. We have even had reports of local branches turning off their phone lines,” the letter continued.

Craig also said “equally troubling” were allegations of poor worker treatment at some Postal Service facilities. She noted the postal district has experienced short staffing and cited Postal Service management in saying the district was 81 employees short of the seasonal goal as of Dec. 4.

“These issues have been ongoing for a significant time, and we believe more oversight is urgently needed,” the lawmakers wrote in the letter.

Craig also acknowledged ongoing audits of certain distribution centers and Postal Service facilities, which she said the House delegation appreciates. She noted, however, “we know that the issues at these facilities are not isolated, and are part of an even greater postal network in need of additional oversight and recommendations for improvement.”

“Minnesotans and North Dakotans need to know their prescription medications, shipments from small businesses and rent checks will be delivered in time. Over the last year and a half, many were not. And due to a concerning lack of support from the USPS, frustrated constituents turned to our offices for assistance in receiving their deliveries.”

The letter comes after Minnesota Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D) and Tina Smith (D) sent a similar letter late last year demanding a full audit.