Ossoff: Postmaster’s refusal to comply with oversight is ‘baffling and disturbing’

(The Center Square) — A Georgia U.S. senator is blasting the head of the United States Postal Service for not providing updates about mail delivery in the Peach State.

“Postmaster General [Louis] DeJoy’s refusal to cooperate with basic Senate oversight is baffling and disturbing,” U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff said in a Friday statement. “It suggests that in addition to being incompetent at delivering the mail on time, he doesn’t care about the Georgians in distress as a result of his incompetence.

“Prescriptions aren’t arriving. Bills aren’t getting paid. Ballots aren’t getting counted,” the senator added. “I will continue fighting for the Georgians suffering from the Postmaster General’s failure. Further updates to come.”

Ossoff launched an “inquiry” in March into reports of delays of missing and delayed mail processed through the Atlanta Regional Processing and Distribution Center in Palmetto. The senator also teamed up with U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Georgia, and U.S. Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Georgia, to ask DeJoy to explain alleged fraud at the Marietta Post Office last year.

Last Thursday, the senator announced a new “inquiry” and sent a letter to DeJoy demanding an update about on-time delivery statistics in metro Atlanta. He gave the postmaster a week to provide the details and DeJoy responded in a letter sent on Friday.

DeJoy said in the letter while issues with the new Atlanta Regional Processing and Distribution Center were “unanticipated,” the operational and workforce challenges will be addressed “in short order.”

Despite the pressure on the postal service, Ossoff’s office has not responded to requests for details about potential legislation lawmakers should consider and how much it might cost taxpayers. A USPS spokesperson did not respond to a Friday request for comment on Ossoff’s statement.