Since First Launching the Survey in August 2020, the Congresswoman Has Received More Than 6,800 Responses from Virginians Expressing Concerns About USPS Delays

HENRICO, V.A. — U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger today relaunched her survey to gather information and hear concerns from Virginians about continued mail delivery delays as the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) announces plans to raise postage prices.

This week, the USPS board of governors signed off on a plan to increase the price of a stamp to $0.63 next year. Since 2019, the cost of a stamp has jumped by 26%. In July 2022, USPS raised its prices for regular, First-Class mail by 6.5% and increased prices by 8.5% for package services.

As Virginians are being charged more for USPS mail delivery and package services, the agency is not yet operating at acceptable levels. On-time delivery rates have improved during 2022, but some of these improvements may be attributed to a decrease in standards, which slow delivery service from 2–3 days to 4–5 days for up to 40% of First-Class Mail and packages.

Since Spanberger first launched her survey in 2020, the Congresswoman has received more than 6,800 responses from Virginians expressing concerns about ongoing delays at USPS.

“Regardless of the progress we have made in lowering delivery times, my office continues to hear from Virginians who are struggling to send and receive mail and packages in a timely manner — or at all,” said Spanberger. “I am frustrated by Postal Service leadership’s decision to keep raising prices without first fixing longstanding issues and making sure the dedicated men and women of the Postal Service have the support they need to carry out their jobs effectively. No one should have to pay more for a service that continues to operate under par. Whether waiting on lifesaving prescription medications, filling customer orders, or receiving letters from loved ones, Virginians should be able to count on the mail. The personal experiences of families, small business owners, seniors, and all residents of the Seventh District help me advocate on behalf of meaningful change for the people I represent. I hope that all Virginians who have concerns or feedback to share will take my brief survey.”

Virginians can click here to complete Spanberger’s brief USPS survey.

BACKGROUND

Spanberger has long been vocal about the numerous ways in which Virginians suffer without a strong USPS. In February 2022, Spanberger voted with a bipartisan majority of the U.S. House to pass the Postal Service Reform Act, which President Biden signed into law. The legislation eliminates the healthcare prefunding mandate, integrates retiree healthcare with Medicare, requires a 6-days-a-week delivery schedule, creates transparency standards, and more to ensure the USPS has the financial stability to continue serving the American people for years to come.

That same month, Spanberger pressed U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to provide answers to Virginians about how USPS would distribute COVID-19 testing kits in a timely fashion — particularly in the face of ongoing mail and delivery service delays.

In February 2021, Spanberger joined an effort calling on President Joe Biden to fill existing USPS Board of Governors vacancies as quickly as possible. The Board of Governors has the power to appoint and dismiss the Postmaster General and the Deputy Postmaster General.

###