Gottheimer In Paramus: USPS 'Sabotage' Impacting North Jersey

PARAMUS, NJ — Congressman Josh Gottheimer didn't mince words about what is currently happening to the United States Postal Service.

At an appearance in Paramus on Tuesday, Gottheimer gave an impassioned speech about what he called an attempt to "tamper with the way our postal service functions, all with the goal of interfering in our Democratic system."

This comes nearly a week after a Fox Business interview with Maria Bartiromo, in which President Donald Trump said he would block $25 billion in funds for the Postal Service, and would also block another $3.6 billion in additional election funding, according to the Washington Post.

"They need that money in order to have the post office work so it can take all of these millions and millions of ballots," Trump said in the phone interview. "Now, in the meantime, they aren't getting there. By the way, those are just two items. But if they don't get those two items, that means you can't have universal mail-in voting, because they're not equipped."

Gottheimer added his name to the list of North Jersey politicians to speak out strongly against the attempts to undermine the election by undercutting the postal service, calling the President's quote "insane and unacceptable."

How this postal service slowdown could impact the election is at the forefront of minds as what has been a historically polarizing Presidential term faces a reckoning in November.

"Gutting the mail and playing politics with the postal system three months before the election is simply unacceptable," said Gottheimer.

However, he added, there are people who depend on the mail for much more than casting their ballot every four years.

"In addition to tampering with the mail, the Postmaster General’s actions to sabotage the USPS are tampering with the health, safety, and economic security of North Jersey residents, seniors, veterans, and our small businesses," said Gottheimer.

The Congressman was joined in Paramus by Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco, New Jersey State Association of Letter Carriers President Richie O'Connell, as well as President of the National Postal Mail Handlers Union, Local 300 Kevin Tabarus, and New Jersey State Executive Board Member of Local 300 Michelle Kimber.

Watch Gottheimer speak in Paramus below:

The Postal Service has found active support among North Jersey Democrats in recent days, the most active of which being Bill Pascrell, Jr. of New Jersey's Ninth District.

To put it simply, Pascrell wants President Donald Trump and Postmaster General Louis DeJoy investigated, and, frankly, he doesn't care who does it.

Last Wednesday, Pascrell sent a letter to Postal Service Inspector General Tammy L. Whitcomb seeking an investigation into recent institutional changes. Then on Friday, Pascrell sent a letter to New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal urging an investigation into what he calls interference in New Jersey elections.

In an op-ed published in the Daily Record, Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill also shared her thoughts on the importance of the USPS, and why the efforts to hinder it are important to fight against.

"If the Postal Service is purposefully undermined, I have grave concerns that millions of ballots will fail to reach their rightful destination in time for the November election. The health risks of casting a ballot in person during the pandemic will lead to a massive increase in voting by mail, the volume of which could dwarf that of all previous elections. We need to ensure Americans will have their vote counted and that they can have confidence in the outcome of the election," she wrote.

In Sherrill's district, USPS mailboxes have been removed in Morristown, sparking outrage from the community, and an investigation from Sherrill, according to her.

According to a representative from the USPS, box removal is done on an annual basis after a review of "collection box density." This review seeks out "redundant" or "seldom used" collection boxes.

After vocal concern from officials and local residents, however, the removal of mailboxes has been put on hold.

"This process is one of the many ways the Postal Service makes adjustments to our infrastructure to match our resources to declining mail volumes. Given the recent customer concerns the Postal Service will postpone removing boxes for a period of 90 days while we evaluate our customers' concerns," said spokesman Ray V. Daiutolo Sr.

American Postal Workers Union President Mark Dimondstein issued a statement after DeJoy said he would rollback some policies officials say were intended to hinder postal service operations.

However, he said the USPS desperately needs the funding that the President has to this point blocked.

"In order for postal workers to continue to carry out their vital work and deliver for the people every day, the USPS is in immediate need of $25 billion in Covid-related financial relief. It’s time for Congress to deliver," he said.

House Democrats will try to start delivering beginning this week.

Later this week, Congress will vote on legislation that Gottheimer says will "safeguard the U.S. Postal Service and ensure the timely delivery of mail, medication, and voting materials."

Next week, DeJoy will testify before the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.