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Rep. Brenda Lawrence to take part in U.S. Postal Service Day of Action on Tuesday

Posted at 6:19 AM, Aug 18, 2020
and last updated 2020-08-18 06:41:34-04

(WXYZ) — All eyes remain on the U.S. Postal Service as the political battle over its funding continues.

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Now, we're hearing from Michigan lawmakers about what's been happening.

The new postmaster general is expected to testify before the House Oversight Committee regarding changes to USPS that many lawmakers say could threaten Americans' access to our most basic right – voting.

“The Postal Service is not a partisan service. It is the only government service that touches every single American, every single house, 6 days a week," Rep. Brenda Lawrence said.

Related: Post Office warns states across US about mail voting

But in recent weeks, the USPS has been dragged into a political fight.

President Donald Trumps said he opposes federal funding for the service because he doesn't want to see it used for mail-in voting in November.

Related: 'We need to take the politics out of it.' Local man concerned over mail delays

Lawrence, a former USPS worker, said Congress needs to work together on this. House Democrats are expected to vote this weekend on a $25 billion boost to USPS.

“I am hopeful that the Senate will come to their senses, approve the legislation that we’re going back this Saturday to vote on because this issue is so important. And to guarantee the funding that the Postal Service needs to stay afloat," Lawrence added.

“We need to have the Republican leader Mitch McConnell bring us back to Washington as Speaker Pelosi has, so we need to act on it," Sen. Gary Peters added.

Lawrence and Peters recently launched a Congressional investigation into postal service delays. It comes as the USPS agreed to stop the removal of certain collection boxes following reports and photos in the past week of the iconic blue boxes being taken off some street corners.

“We need an efficient post office that the public can trust," Lawrence added.

Tuesday at 11 a.m., Lawrence will be joined by other lawmakers for a Postal Service Day of Action.