Cape News

U.S. Senator Josh Hawley from Missouri has raised concerns about the delays in rebuilding the post office in Baring, Missouri, which was destroyed in 2023. During a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Hearing, Senator Hawley pressed Postmaster General Louis DeJoy for a timeline on the reconstruction of the post office in Baring, stating, "this is a rural community in my state, and they don't have a post office at all. What bothers me is I haven't heard anything about the timeline for getting it rebuilt [...] I'm frustrated by the fact that it has been months and months, and I was told ninety days in September, and this is now the middle of April, and here we are."

While Mr. DeJoy did not provide a specific timeline for the rebuild, he assured Senator Hawley that he would work on getting one. Senator Hawley also addressed the ongoing postal delays in Kansas City and St. Louis, Missouri, mentioning a significant increase in casework reports from residents who have not been receiving their mail. He requested an update on the implementation of the Inspector General's recommendations to address the delayed mail process.

Mr. DeJoy attributed the delays to contracting issues but expressed optimism that the situation would gradually improve. Senator Hawley has been actively advocating for the reconstruction of the Baring post office since its destruction in 2023. He introduced the Rural Post Office Reconstruction Act of 2023 to establish a clear timeframe for reopening rural post offices affected by natural disasters or other unforeseen circumstances.

Senator Hawley, along with HSGAC Chairman Gary Peters, sent a letter to Mr. DeJoy urging the USPS to reopen the Baring post office and other facilities that were placed under emergency suspension. Since 2022, Senator Hawley has been pressuring the USPS for answers and improvements regarding postal delays in Kansas City, sending letters to the USPS Inspector General and Mr. DeJoy.