WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) voted for critical legislation to protect the United States Postal Service and promote the safety of the 2020 elections. The bipartisan Delivering for America Act passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 257 to 150.

“The United States Postal Service is not a luxury – it is a necessity,” said Larsen. “Washingtonians rely on the postal service to cast their votes, fill lifesaving prescriptions, conduct business and stay in touch with family, friends and neighbors. This bill will put a stop to policies like prohibiting overtime and removing sorting machines that endanger Americans’ health, harm the economy and undermine voting rights.”

“President Trump’s primary motivation for attacking the USPS is clear: prevent mail-in voting. I have spoken with county auditors in my district who are confident the mail-in ballot system has checks and balances to catch fraud, if it does occur. Any other state can do what Washington state is doing and conduct successful elections via mail.

“I will continue fighting to safeguard democracy, protect the USPS and promote the safety of elections in 2020 and the future.”

The Delivering for America Act:

• Prohibits the USPS from implementing or approving any changes to operations or service levels in effect at the beginning of 2020, including the removal of mail sorting machines and mailboxes, other than for routine maintenance. The prohibition will remain in effect for the duration of the COVID-19 public health crisis.
• Provides $25 billion in emergency funding requested by the USPS and supported by the Trump-appointed Postal Board of Governors in April.
• Requires the USPS to treat all official election mail as First-Class mail and ensure all election mail is postmarked.
• Reverses any changes already implemented to the operations or policies of the Postal Service that delay mail delivery.

Larsen is working hard to ensure the long-term viability of the USPS and protect voting rights. This week, Larsen and Rep. Suzan DelBene (WA-01) denounced President Trump’s efforts to kneecap the USPS and disenfranchise voters. In May, Larsen voted for the HEROES Act, which includes $25 billion in emergency funding for the USPS and $3.6 billion in grant funding to help prepare for the upcoming election. Larsen also supports eliminating the pre-funding requirement for employee retirement benefits, which artificially weakens the agency’s financial health.

Larsen also supports legislation to expand and invest in mail-in voting and election security and strengthen voting rights protections.

For a fact sheet on the Delivering for America Act, click here.

For Larsen’s weekly Recap with Rick video on the Delivering for America Act, click here.

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