Fact Check: "Delivering for America plan criticized for slowing service without financial benefits."
What We Know
The "Delivering for America" plan, initiated by former Postmaster General Louis DeJoy in 2021, aimed to promote the financial sustainability of the United States Postal Service (USPS) by implementing significant operational changes. These changes included slowing down mail delivery and consolidating processing facilities into 60 regional distribution centers. However, the plan has faced widespread criticism from various stakeholders, including members of Congress from both parties, who argue that it has resulted in slower service without any corresponding financial benefits (source-1).
The Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) has also expressed concerns, stating that the plan is based on "defective modeling" and overly optimistic financial projections that are unlikely to improve USPS's financial health. The PRC highlighted that the plan has had significant negative impacts, particularly on rural communities, where service standards have been downgraded (source-2). Furthermore, USPS reported a net loss of $9.5 billion in fiscal 2024, indicating that the financial outcomes anticipated by the plan have not materialized (source-1).
Analysis
The criticisms of the "Delivering for America" plan are supported by various credible sources. The PRC's advisory opinion indicates that the plan's implementation has led to a "significant negative impact on service" and that the projected cost savings are speculative and likely overstated (source-2). Additionally, the PRC noted that nearly half of ZIP Code pairs would experience downgraded service for First-Class Mail, which is particularly concerning for rural areas (source-2).
Critics, including industry leaders and bipartisan members of Congress, have called for a pause on the plan, arguing that it has led to unprecedented rate increases and service degradation without delivering the promised financial benefits (source-1). The lack of empirical evidence supporting the expected cost savings further undermines the plan's credibility.
Overall, the evidence suggests that the "Delivering for America" plan has not only failed to deliver financial benefits but has also resulted in a decline in service quality, which aligns with the claim being evaluated.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that the "Delivering for America" plan has been criticized for slowing service without financial benefits is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The operational changes implemented under this plan have led to significant service degradation, particularly affecting rural communities, while the anticipated financial improvements have not materialized. The bipartisan criticism from various stakeholders further reinforces the validity of this claim.
Sources
- With DeJoy out, postal stakeholders push for pause in criticized ...
- Postal Regulatory Commission Issues Advisory Opinion on USPS Delivering ...
- The OIG's Oversight of the U.S. Postal Service's Delivering for America ...
- USPS offers 'little convincing evidence' its reform plans will ...
- Tracking the Postal Service: An Update on the Delivering for America ...
- The Postal Service is slowing the mail to save money. ...
