Ninth District Congressman Andrew Clyde

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) — On Thursday Ninth District Congressman Andrew Clyde (GA-09) sent a letter to U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Inspector General Tammy Hull to request an audit and investigation of the agency’s recent consolidation process in North Georgia. Earlier this year, the postal service transitioned and consolidated local Processing & Distribution Centers (PDC) across North Georgia to the Postal Service’s new Regional Processing & Distribution Center (RPDC) in Palmetto, Georgia.

In the letter, Rep. Clyde explains how this process has impacted his constituents in the Ninth District. He said, “poor planning for this transition has extensively disrupted mail delivery operations in the region causing my constituents immense trouble and grief in their everyday lives.”

The Congressman also notes a concerning increase in constituent communications related to mail delays. According to the congressman his office has received a nearly 90 percent increase in email and phone call messages from residents in North Georgia about the mail and package delays.

Additionally, Rep. Clyde offers examples of how the USPS’ botched transition has burdened Northeast Georgians.

“Our constituents have shared stories of the loss of revenue, the immense pain, and the hardship these USPS delays are causing them, their loved ones, and their small businesses. One resident in North Georgia writes that costly late fees are being assessed on their bills and their business’ ‘credit reputation’ is in jeopardy due to checks sent through USPS in the mail arriving at their destination more than a month late. A resident of Blairsville, GA writes that rural areas ‘depend on efficient mail service,’ and she is ‘at the mercy of a mail delivery system’ to receive her life-saving medications.”

Rep. Clyde continues by blasting the U.S. Postal Service’s failed consolidation process and demanding accountability for his constituents.

“The current mail delivery situation throughout North Georgia is completely unacceptable, and it is clear that USPS must immediately divert resources to the region to prevent the ongoing suffering of my constituents. Furthermore, it is clear that USPS’ poor planning for the transition and consolidation of operations into the Palmetto facility is to blame for the extensive mail delays seen across the North Georgia region. As a member of the House Committee on Appropriations, which provides extensive federal funds to the Postal Service Fund each fiscal year, I am demanding accountability and answers for the residents of North Georgia who continue to suffer every day due to USPS’ incompetent transition and consolidation plan for the Palmetto facility.”

In closing, Congressman Clyde requests Inspector General Hull to audit and investigate the ongoing situation.

“Therefore, I request the USPS Office of Inspector General to thoroughly audit and investigate the disastrous situation currently unfolding in North Georgia previously described. I request that you please provide a preliminary response to my office within 30 days of receipt of this letter. Furthermore, I request that you please provide an update on your audit and investigation every three months thereafter of any progress, findings, or preliminary conclusions. Finally, no later than one year after receipt of this letter, I request that you publicly publish a final report detailing the findings and conclusions of your audit and investigation, and furthermore, that you please present your findings and conclusions in a briefing to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform and the House Committee on Appropriations.”

Full text of the letter is available HERE.

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