WASHINGTON – In an interview with the Wall Street Journal last week, Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) pressed for improved rural postal service in Vermont and across the country. Welch, a longtime leader on postal issues, stressed that United States Postal Service (USPS) deliveries have slowed beyond recognition, making it harder for Vermonters to pay their bills, access essential medications, and conduct business.  

“We are at our wits’ end trying to get the Postal Service to do its job,” Sen. Welch said. “Most of us are realizing it’s not just Vermont, it’s not just Colorado, it’s all across rural America.” 

Sen. Welch attributed limited postal service to a “profound managerial failure” within USPS, citing the agency’s failure to create and share a comprehensive plan of action to address poor service, staffing shortages, equipment failures, and other serious challenges. 

In February of this year, Sen. Welch, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Representative Becca Balint (D-VT) sent two letters to USPS leadership, decrying poor service in rural communities, and calling for improved delivery across Vermont. USPS responded earlier this month but failed to outline tangible steps to rectify service issues. This effort followed similar letters in 2020 and 2021. 

To read Sen. Welch’s interview and the accompanying story on rural postal service, please click here.  

##