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Dear [firstname],

I hope this message finds you and your loved ones safe and healthy. As you may know, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is essential for providing critical services like delivering medicine, Social Security benefits, paychecks, tax returns, and absentee ballots to El Pasoans and millions of Americans.

In an attempt to undermine and dismantle the USPS, President Donald Trump and Postmaster General Louis DeJoy pushed for sweeping new operational changes to degrade postal service, delay mail, and threatened to deny the ability of eligible voters to cast their votes through the mail in the 2020 elections. 

My office has received thousands of messages from constituents expressing their concerns about these changes and attacks, so to better understand what is happening, I asked El Pasoans to fill out to my survey about the USPS. Two weeks ago, we launched the survey, asking about El Pasoans’ experiences with mail delivery delays and concerns about the future of the USPS. Eight hundred and seventy-nine individuals responded to the survey. 

The results of my survey and the countless testimonials of seniors and veterans who depend on the Postal Service illustrate how essential mail delivery is to El Paso households and businesses. The extent of the delays and the operational changes have unfortunately undermined confidence in the institution ahead of the November general election. To read the report, click here.


Findings of the survey include: 
  • 57.04% of respondents have personally experienced delays in mail or know someone who has experienced delays in their mail. 
  • 73.28% of respondents don’t support the recent overtime and service reductions implemented by Postmaster General DeJoy.
  • 22.21% of respondents want Congress to pass meaningful legislation that provides USPS with critically needed funding, while 21.64% want greater transparency and accountability with Congress and the American people on USPS operational changes. 
  • 41.89% of respondents said the most important USPS service is that it ensures safe elections by delivering absentee ballots and mail-in voting. 
  • 55.86% of respondents said that the changes made by the Trump administration undermined their faith in the USPS and/or in the elections.
This is unacceptable. El Pasoans depend on the USPS to send correspondence to their loved ones, receive their medications and absentee ballots, and more. The undermining of public trust for the USPS can be undone, but first Postmaster General DeJoy must resign and the Senate must pass the Delivering for America Act to ensure the USPS has access to the resources it needs.

Climate Action Virtual Town Hall

If you are as concerned about the climate crisis as I am, join me for my Climate Action Virtual Town Hall TODAY, September 9, 2020, at 5 p.m. MT. Each one of us has an important role to play in preserving our planet and my town hall is meant to help empower you with information on the things you can do to help combat the climate crisis.  I’ll share with the community the work Congress is doing to address the climate crisis and will be joined by environmental experts to share tips on what you can do and answer your questions.

Guests:

  • Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16)
  • Dr. Craig E. Tweedie, Director of the Environmental Science and Engineering Program at UTEP
  • Luke Metzger, Executive Director of Environment Texas
  • Tom Linney, Board Member of the Veg Society of El Paso
  • Jonathan Macias, Board Member of Eco El Paso
  • Sarah Elena Dillabough, Sustainability Specialist at Creosote Collaborative

This town hall is free and open to the public. El Pasoans can join this important conversation on Facebook Live. For more information and to submit a question, click here.

Testing and Additional Resources

The fight against COVID-19 is far from over, and this is not the time to let our guard down. We have to do our part and stay home unless we absolutely need to leave for an essential activity. We all have a role to play in slowing the spread and protecting ourselves, our family, and our community.

Because new information about COVID-19 is coming out daily, please visit my resource page on my website for the latest updates, recommendations from the CDC, and a Frequently Asked Questions section. Additionally, visit the sites below to stay up to date.

The CDC provides updates on the virus and safety information for the public and healthcare professionals, as well as Frequently Asked Questions available here. 

The City of El Paso has a hotline for residents to call for more information regarding COVID-19. The number is 915-21-COVID, or 915-212-6843.

If you need to get tested because you believe you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 or are experiencing symptoms, please get tested. The City of El Paso also offers mobile testing centers throughout the city that are now open and are free of charge for any symptomatic or asymptomatic person. So, whether you are exhibiting symptoms or not, you can get tested! For more information on locations and operating hours, please click here.

The Texas Department of State Health Services provides updates on the disease's spread within the state.

The safety and well-being of you and your loved ones is of the utmost importance. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact my office via email at Veronica.Escobar@mail.house.gov or by phone at 915-541-1400.

Sincerely,

Veronica Escobar
Member of Congress
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