Statement from Jana Morgan, Director of the Declaration for American Democracy – a coalition of over 160 organizations from the labor, racial justice, voting rights, faith, environmental, women’s rights, good government, and many other important communities – in response to the U.S. House of Representatives’ passage of the Delivering for America Act (H.R. 8015), which would block the U.S. Postal Service from making its proposed operational changes and provide $25 billion in funding support:
“We applaud the House for its leadership in ensuring the U.S. Postal Service fulfills its obligation to Americans and continues to play its critical role in our society, and on behalf of tens of millions of Americans, we sent a letter signed by more than 50 organizations in support of the Delivering for America Act. The Senate must now come back into session to approve this legislation. However, we as a nation should not have been confronted with this threat to our health, economy and democracy in the first place.
“President Trump and U.S. Postmaster General DeJoy’s efforts to undermine the USPS and block election funding to suppress Americans’ votes is egregious, especially during a pandemic when many Americans depend on this vital service more than ever. In fact, tens of millions of Americans will rely on the USPS this year to vote by mail, register to vote, and receive polling information.
“No one should have to choose between protecting their health and exercising their constitutional right to vote. Vote-by-mail is a tried and tested secure solution that can ensure people can make their voices heard in this election. In the 2018 election, 30 million Americans voted by mail, five states conduct their elections almost entirely by mail, and nearly all other states are providing voters with increased vote-by-mail options this year.
“We call on the Senate to swiftly pass the Delivering for America Act so the USPS can continue to have the resources it needs to protect the security and integrity of our elections, and pass $3.6 billion in safe election funding and reforms. Our democracy only works if everyone can participate.”
