TRUMP’S POSTMASTER GENERAL DEJOY MUST GO
DeJoy cannot be permitted to privatize the Postal Service or to sabotage America’s attempts to confront the climate crisis.
QUICK READ: President Biden has promised to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030, which requires electrifying the government’s vehicle fleet. Since 1/3 of them are USPS trucks, Postmaster DeJoy’s award of a contract replacing its 30-year-old fleet largely with gas guzzling trucks cannot be allowed to move forward. Neither can DeJoy’s continuing privatization plans. Biden must nominate two Commissioners committed to replacing DeJoy.
CONTENTS:
BACKGROUND
Biden’s been in office 18 months, but the Postal Service (USPS) is still run by Trump’s lackey Louis DeJoy, whose 10-year cost-cutting plan—closing post offices, slowing service, and raising prices—is destroying the institution.
He’s also replacing USPS’ 30-year-old fleet with trucks getting less than 9 miles/gallon, rather than electric vehicles—completely undercutting Biden’s ability to electrify the government’s vehicle fleet (1/3 of which are USPS trucks) and halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
Ignoring studies showing USPS could save $4.3 billion by going 97% electric, the $11.3 billion, 10-year contract with Oshkosh Defense required 90% to be gas-powered.
After major pushback by Congressional Democrats and environmental groups and numerous lawsuits, DeJoy raised the number to 20% and then 40%--still well below the 97% Oshkosh agrees it could produce.
A pending House bill requires 75% electrification, and the Inflation Reduction Act provides $3 billion for zero-emission vehicles and accompanying infrastructure—undercutting his “poverty” claim.
In December, Biden can replace two DeJoy loyalists with pro-environment and anti-privatization nominees. Given MAGA Republican obstruction, the confirmation process has slowed considerably, requiring Biden to name them shortly.
Until then, Congress must continue pushing DeJoy to modify his anti-electrification and privatization policies.
ACTION One: Call the Senate.
Script for Oregon Senators
SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753
My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I ask that you: To prevent further destruction of the US Postal Service, keep pressing DeJoy, as you have done, to commit to the total electrification of its mail delivery fleet. More importantly, however, impress upon President Biden the need to nominate progressive Democrats for the two Board positions opening in December early enough so the Senate can confirm them before the end of the year.
SEN. WYDEN:
Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I ask that you: To prevent further destruction of the US Postal Service, keep pressing DeJoy, as you have done, to commit to the total electrification of its mail delivery fleet. More importantly, however, impress upon President Biden the need to nominate progressive Democrats for the two Board positions opening in December early enough so the Senate can confirm them before the end of the year.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
I expect you to support efforts to electrify the Postal Service’s aging fleet, which will allow your constituents to breathe cleaner air and will slow down the harmful effects of climate change.
ACTION TWO: Call the House.
Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)
Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Please urge the House Oversight Committee to continue its investigation of Postmaster General DeJoy’s refusal to drop his plan to modernize the fleet with largely gas-guzzling vehicles, rather than electric ones, and impress on President Biden the need to quickly nominate two progressive Democrats to the Board of Governors who are pro-environment and anti-privatization so it will finally sack Trump’s Postmaster General, Louis DeJoy.
Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)
Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I expect you to support efforts to electrify the Postal Service’s aging fleet, which will allow your constituents to breathe cleaner air and will slow down the harmful effects of climate change.
Script for Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)
Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Please urge the House Oversight Committee to continue its investigation of Postmaster General DeJoy’s refusal to drop his plan to modernize the fleet with largely gas-guzzling vehicles, rather than electric ones, and impress on President Biden the need to quickly nominate two progressive Democrats to the Board of Governors who are pro-environment and anti-privatization so it will finally sack Trump’s Postmaster General, Louis DeJoy.
Script for Peter DeFazio (OR-04)
Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Please urge the House Oversight Committee to continue its investigation of Postmaster General DeJoy’s refusal to drop his plan to modernize the fleet with largely gas-guzzling vehicles, rather than electric ones, and impress on President Biden the need to quickly nominate two progressive Democrats to the Board of Governors who are pro-environment and anti-privatization so it will finally sack Trump’s Postmaster General, Louis DeJoy.
Script for Kurt Schrader (OR-05)
Salem office: 503-588-9100 | DC office: 202-225-5711
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Please urge the House Oversight Committee to continue its investigation of Postmaster General DeJoy’s refusal to drop his plan to modernize the fleet with largely gas-guzzling vehicles, rather than electric ones, and impress on President Biden the need to quickly nominate two progressive Democrats to the Board of Governors who are pro-environment and anti-privatization so it will finally sack Trump’s Postmaster General, Louis DeJoy.
ACTION THREE: Good Trouble.
GOOD TROUBLE: Below are opportunities to fight for our democracy. As John Lewis said, go make some “good trouble.”
Fridays at 4 - Letter and Postcard Writing — Indivisible Oregon.
Learn about persuasive language and communication research at the Zoom ASO Movement Briefings every second Wednesday. (DELAYED THIS AUGUST. WATCH THE WEBSITE FOR UPDATES.)
Join the campaign to hold the House and Senate at GiveNoGround.org
Work to protect democracy in the House by electing Democrats Val Hoyle in District 4, Jamie McLeod-Skinner in District 5, and Andrea Salinas in Oregon’s new Congressional District 6.
Check out the Poor People's Campaign Readies 'Massive, Nonviolent' Effort to Save Democracy
Outside of Portland? Check out COIN Oregon.
FURTHER READING
The IRS Gives USPS Billions to Buy Electric Vehicles
Biden Urged to Take Steps to Finally Get Rid of DeJoy as He Plows Ahead With Job Cuts
How Biden Can Halt the U.S. Postal Service’s Gas-Guzzling Plan
PA among 16 states suing U.S. Postal Service over lack of electric vehicles
House Democrats tell USPS to pump the brakes on gas-guzzling truck contract
House Oversight Committee letter to DeJoy on electrification of USPS fleet
Federal Fleet Electrification Assessment
Will The New Postal Board Fire Louis Dejoy?
The fight to oust Louis DeJoy and his ‘disastrous’ austerity plan
