Haaland Aims to Empower Americans to Support Vote By Mail
Washington, D.C. – With the U.S. Postal Service under assault from the Trump Administration, Congresswoman Deb Haaland (N.M.-01) introduced a bill that will empower Americans to support vote by mail. The Vote by Mail Stamp Act creates a new stamp to join the ranks of other semipostal stamps, including the Breast Cancer Research Stamp and Alzheimer’s Stamp, to help fund vote by mail systems throughout the country. The bill creates a new grant within the U.S. Election Assistance Commission dedicated to supporting state and territory mail-in voting systems, so no American has to put their life at risk to vote during a pandemic.
The bill comes the day after Postmaster General DeJoy refused to reverse any of the devastating changes made under his direction despite internal Postal Service documents warning about increasing mail delays nationwide over the last two months, delays that are far worse than originally believed. After his poor performance before both Senate and House committees, DeJoy remains intent on sabotaging the U.S. Postal Service whether or not it stops veterans from receiving medications, seniors and people with disabilities from receiving Social Security Benefits, or Americans from having their votes counted.
“No one should have to risk their health to cast their ballot, but President Trump and Postmaster DeJoy made harmful changes to the Postal Service’s operations and refuse to repair the damage that has been done. Meanwhile, the Heroes Act, which provided billions of dollars to support the USPS and strengthen vote by mail systems, sits on Senator McConnell’s desk gathering dust,” said Congresswoman Deb Haaland. “Despite this, grassroots energy to rally and defend the Post Office reminds me that there will always be good people ready to fight for what is right. Their energy and calls to buy stamps to show support for the Postal Service inspired me to create a bill to let people buy stamps not only to support the USPS but to help make sure everyone can vote safely and have their vote counted.”
The Vote by Mail Stamp Act would create a semipostal stamp with a small mark-up with all additional funds going to the U.S. Elections Assistance Commission (EAC). These funds would be set aside specifically for states and territories that send an application to the EAC to strengthen the state or territory’s mail in voting systems. The original co-sponsors of the bill are U.S. Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-At Large), Jahana Hayes (Conn.-05), André Carson (Ind.-07), and Thomas R. Suozzi (N.Y.-03).
At a press conference in Albuquerque last Tuesday, Haaland demanded a stop to the tactics sabotaging the United States Postal Service that jeopardize New Mexicans’ access to basic services and voting rights. It was during the National Day of Action that the Postmaster General announced that he would delay the dangerous changes to the USPS operations until after the 2020 election, which still has the potential delay critical services for New Mexicans during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last Wednesday, Haaland joined 90 House Democrats demanding that the USPS Board of Governors remove Postmaster General Louis DeJoy from his position immediately. The letter outlines the numerous destructive changes DeJoy has implemented, including removing mail sorting machines in Albuquerque, as well as his several conflicts of interest with investments in USPS competitors and contractors.
And on Monday, August 24, the House Committee on Oversight and Reform held an urgent hearing with Postmaster General DeJoy to answer to the American people as to why he is pushing these dangerous new policies that threaten the health of Americans during a pandemic and silence the voices of millions just months before the election.
The post Haaland Aims to Empower Americans to Support Vote By Mail first appeared on Native Sun News Today.
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September 3, 2020