Cape News

U.S. Representative Jason Smith has announced his co-authorship of the Pony Up Act, a legislative proposal aimed at holding the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) accountable for late fees incurred due to delayed mail delivery. This legislation would require USPS to cover any late fees resulting from such delays.

"The USPS must be held accountable for the financial toll its poor service is taking on rural Missourians," said Smith. He emphasized that individuals have faced financial penalties and even utility cut-offs due to late or undelivered mail, which he attributes to USPS's inadequate service. Smith urged his colleagues in Congress to support this initiative, highlighting it as part of a broader rural mail crisis.

Mail delays have been particularly problematic in rural areas, leading to late fees and disruptions in utility services when bills are lost or delivered late. Municipal utilities have also expressed dissatisfaction with the timeliness of bill deliveries to customers.

The proposed legislation includes provisions for individuals who incur late fees due to delayed bills, allowing them to file claims for repayment either online or at post offices. Additionally, it mandates a report on delayed mail deliveries, providing Congress with data necessary to assess USPS's efforts in improving delivery times.

Smith pointed out that the rural mail crisis affects various aspects of life in southeast and south-central Missouri: seniors face difficulties receiving Social Security checks on time; veterans encounter delays in their benefits; small businesses suffer financially from lost packages and payments; and rural newspapers experience significant delays in delivering print editions.

Addressing this issue remains a priority for Smith. In September, he requested an audit by the USPS Office of Inspector General regarding the Sorting and Distribution Center in Hazelwood, Mo., citing inconsistent mail delivery across eastern Missouri. Previously, Smith sought explanations from Postmaster General Louis DeJoy concerning prolonged mail delays following USPS's decision to consolidate facilities, including moving operations from Cape Girardeau to Saint Louis.

In 2021, alongside a bipartisan group of colleagues, Smith called for a halt on further postal facility consolidations under USPS's Delivering for America plan.