As mail delays increase, Sen. Tina Smith joins other lawmakers in speaking out

(ABC 6 News) – Some traditional mail just got even slower.

"This is the slowest that mail delivery has been in about 50 years," Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minnesota) said.

U.S. Postmaster General Louis Dejoy is delaying transit time for first-class mail and periodicals – adding two more days to the standard delivery.

"We are not structured properly. And we’ve fallen out of step with the marketplace we serve," Dejoy said.

Some local postal workers are already seeing people frustrated with the longer wait times. Minnesota Legislators are also frustrated.

"That he would implement this step without any transparency or real explanation of the impact that this would have on people," Smith said.

Senator Smith joined lawmakers from other states in calling for Dejoy to resign. They believe he is trying to block vital services around the country. During a pandemic, when most Americans have to wait for goods and services, some people will now have to wait for mail as well.

"People in Minnesota and across this country especially folks in rural areas depend on the postal service to fill prescriptions, to pay their bills, and to file their taxes," Smith said.

The group of lawmakers sent him a letter, of all things, and asked for transparency. USPS declined an interview, but in a statement said this new strategic plan will make mail more reliable and predictable. Most packages will be unaffected, but other mail could take up to five days if traveling outside of a local area. The USPS said it’s better to plan ahead and send mail early.