Senator Hawley Initiates Investigation into U.S. Postal Service Over Mail Issues and Executive Bonuses

Senator Josh Hawley, a Republican from Missouri, has announced a congressional investigation into the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). The inquiry focuses on internal records related to dumped mail, potential criminal activities, and executive bonuses. This decision follows a recent Senate Judiciary Committee hearing where Postmaster General David Steiner did not adequately address questions regarding thousands of pieces of dumped mail found in St. Louis in April. In a letter dated Tuesday, Hawley requested all internal communications related to the mail dumping incident and sought clarification on whether any postal employees have been referred to the Department of Justice for prosecution under federal laws concerning mail theft, delay, or destruction. He also inquired about the compensation of USPS executives, including an itemized statement of bonuses paid to Steiner since his appointment. An audit of the St. Louis distribution center reportedly revealed significant failures in on-time delivery, with another audit indicating 100,000 pieces of delayed mail in Kansas City over a three-day period. The USPS has not yet responded to requests for comment.