WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, Eighth District Congressman Jason Smith called on the USPS Office of Inspector General to immediately launch an investigation into the unacceptable mail delays in rural Missouri and provide a detailed plan on what – if any – steps the agency is taking to improve service.
“The USPS’s rural mail crisis is taking a major toll on the quality of life in communities across southeast and south-central Missouri. In recent months, numerous individuals have contacted my team about unacceptable service,” he said.
Smith listed the following:
- A county clerk said official absentee ballots were delivered to their office a full month after the election, meaning some Missourians lost their ability to vote.
- A mother in Cape Girardeau County sent out over 600 invitations for her daughter’s wedding yet none had been delivered by the day the RSVPs were due.
- A small business in Butler County is experiencing “great strain” because bills for, and payments from, customers are getting lost in the mail.
- A veteran in Wayne County suffered a serious health issue because his medications didn’t arrive on time.
- Families in St. Francois County were charged late fees because their water bills were delivered after the due date.
“Enough is enough. I will continue fighting to hold USPS leadership accountable for creating and continuing to fuel the rural mail crisis.” Smith stated.