Tester Statement on Court Order Requiring USPS to Reverse Harmful Policy Changes

U.S. Senator Jon Tester today released the following statement following a ruling from a U.S. District Court determining that policy changes implemented by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy at the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) are harmful to voters and deliberately suppress their right to vote:

“This ruling is five-alarm fire for Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, but it’s a victory for the Postal Service and everyone who is fighting to protect it from partisan attacks. It’s disgraceful that DeJoy intentionally delayed delivery of Montanans’ ballots, essential prescription medications, Social Security benefits, and more to try to help his political cronies, but this decision means Montanans can rest a little easier knowing a return to regular mail delivery is on its way.”

Tester has led the charge to hold Postmaster General DeJoy accountable after USPS undertook policy changes that have delayed mail and threatened to undermine the agency. More than 7,000 Montanans have contacted Tester to express concerns about mail delays since the pandemic began in March.

Tester blew the whistle on USPS for removing dozens of mail collection boxes from towns across Montana, leading USPS to pause its removal of collection boxes nationwide until after the election. He recently announced legislation that would prevent USPS from removing any further mail collection boxes across the country, force the agency to reinstate the boxes that were removed, and require DeJoy to submit a report to Congress explaining why collection boxes were removed in the first place. After receiving inadequate responses from USPS, Tester doubled down on his push for answers last week.