Washington, D.C.— Today, House Small Business Committee Chairwoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) led nine Committee Democrats in writing to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy regarding the potential negative impacts of his ten-year plan on small businesses. The newly announced plan includes provisions that would slow delivery standards and close post office locations around the country. The changes have severe implications for the many small businesses that rely on USPS and have the potential to delay shipments, weaken customer relationships, and hurt bottom lines.
“As you know, our nation’s small firms depend on the USPS for fast, affordable, and reliable package delivery to any mailbox in the country,” wrote the lawmakers. “According to a 2019 report by the USPS Office of Inspector General (OIG), 70 percent of microbusinesses – or businesses with fewer than ten employees – used the service in the past six months, and that many prefer USPS to private sector alternatives such as UPS and FedEx, citing cost and reliability. These businesses account for roughly 75 percent of all private sector employers and are crucial to the American economy.”
In the letter, the lawmakers call on USPS to further assess the impact proposed changes would have on small businesses and look for ways to make its services more reliable for small firms.
In addition to Chairwoman Velázquez, the letter was signed by Rep. Marie Newman (D-IL); Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-MD) Chairman, Subcommittee on Contracting and Infrastructure; Rep. Carolyn Bourdeaux (D-GA); Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) Chairman, Subcommittee on Underserved, Agricultural, and Rural Business Development; Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN); Rep. Sharice Davids (D-KS) Chairwoman, Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax, and Capital Access; Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA); Rep. Jason Crow Chairman, Subcommittee on Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Workforce Development; and Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ).
