“Catch and Release, Lose and Forget: Addressing the Crisis of Unaccompanied Alien Children – Part I”
Hearing•House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Federal Law Enforcement•Jul 23, 2025 · 2:00 PM
Summary
House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Federal Law Enforcement held a hearing on Jul 23, 2025 at 2:00 PM in Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2247. 1 witness appeared.
Record
The meeting has its transcript, witnesses and documents on the record.
Transcript
The transcript runs to 1,811 lines and 93,228 characters, as the Government Publishing Office printed it.
1[House Hearing, 119 Congress]2[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]34 AN UPDATE ON MAIL THEFT AND CRIME56=======================================================================78 HEARING910 before the1112 SUBCOMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS1314 of the1516 COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM1718 U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES1920 ONE HUNDRED NINETEENTH CONGRESS2122 FIRST SESSION2324 __________2526 JULY 23, 20252728 __________2930 Serial No. 119-433132 __________3334Printed for the use of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform3536[GRAPHIC(s) NOT AVAILANLE IN TIFF FORMAT3738 Available on: govinfo.gov, oversight.house.gov or docs.house.gov3940 U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE4161-721 PDF WASHINGTON : 20254243 COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM4445 JAMES COMER, Kentucky, Chairman4647Jim Jordan, Ohio Robert Garcia, California, Ranking48Mike Turner, Ohio Minority Member49Paul Gosar, Arizona Eleanor Holmes Norton, District of50Virginia Foxx, North Carolina Columbia51Glenn Grothman, Wisconsin Stephen F. Lynch, Massachusetts52Michael Cloud, Texas Raja Krishnamoorthi, Illinois53Gary Palmer, Alabama Ro Khanna, California54Clay Higgins, Louisiana Kweisi Mfume, Maryland55Pete Sessions, Texas Shontel Brown, Ohio56Andy Biggs, Arizona Melanie Stansbury, New Mexico57Nancy Mace, South Carolina Maxwell Frost, Florida58Pat Fallon, Texas Summer Lee, Pennsylvania59Byron Donalds, Florida Greg Casar, Texas60Scott Perry, Pennsylvania Jasmine Crockett, Texas61William Timmons, South Carolina Emily Randall, Washington62Tim Burchett, Tennessee Suhas Subramanyam, Virginia63Marjorie Taylor Greene, Georgia Yassamin Ansari, Arizona64Lauren Boebert, Colorado Wesley Bell, Missouri65Anna Paulina Luna, Florida Lateefah Simon, California66Nick Langworthy, New York Dave Min, California67Eric Burlison, Missouri Ayanna Pressley, Massachusetts68Eli Crane, Arizona Rashida Tlaib, Michigan69Brian Jack, Georgia Vacancy70John McGuire, Virginia71Brandon Gill, Texas7273 ------7475 Mark Marin, Staff Director76 James Rust, Deputy Staff Director77 Mitch Benzine, General Counsel78 Lauren Hassett, Professional Staff Member79 Bill Womack, Senior Advisor80 Mallory Cogar, Deputy Director of Operations and Chief Clerk8182 Contact Number: 202-225-50748384 Robert Edmonson, Minority Staff Director85 Contact Number: 202-225-505186 ------8788 Subcommittee On Government Operations8990 Pete Sessions, Texas, Chairman9192Virginia Foxx, North Carolina Kweisi Mfume, Maryland, Ranking93Gary Palmer, Alabama Minority Member94Tim Burchett, Tennessee Eleanor Holmes Norton, District of95Brian Jack, Georgia Columbia96Brandon Gill, Texas Maxwell Frost, Florida97 Emily Randall, Washington98 C O N T E N T S99100 ----------101102 OPENING STATEMENTS103104 Page105106Hon. Pete Sessions, U.S. Representative, Chairman................ 1107108Hon. Maxwell Frost, U.S. Representative.......................... 2109110 WITNESSES111112Mr. Brendan Donahue, Inspector in Charge, United States Postal113 Inspection Service114Oral Statement................................................... 4115116Mr. Julius Rothstein, Deputy Inspector General, U.S. Postal117 Service Office of Inspector General118Oral Statement................................................... 7119120Mr. Brian Renfroe, President, National Association of Letter121 Carriers122Oral Statement................................................... 9123124Mr. Frank Albergo, President, Postal Police Officers Association125Oral Statement................................................... 11126127Mr. Anthony Holloway, Chief of Police, St. Petersburg, Florida128 Police Department129Oral Statement................................................... 12130131Written opening statements and bios are available on the U.S.132 House of Representatives Document Repository at:133 docs.house.gov.134135 INDEX OF DOCUMENTS136137 * Statement for the Record, ABA; submitted by Rep. Mfume.138139 * Statement for the Record, National Association of Postal140 Supervisors; submitted by Rep. Sessions.141142The documents listed above are available at: docs.house.gov.143144 ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS145146 * Questions for the Record: Mr. Albergo; submitted by Rep.147 Foxx.148149 * Questions for the Record: Mr. Albergo; submitted by Rep.150 Mfume.151152 * Questions for the Record: Mr. Donahue; submitted by Rep.153 Foxx.154155 * Questions for the Record: Mr. Donahue; submitted by Rep.156 Mfume.157158 * Questions for the Record: Mr. Holloway; submitted by Rep.159 Foxx.160161 * Questions for the Record: Mr. Holloway; submitted by Rep.162 Frost.163164 * Questions for the Record: Mr. Renfroe; submitted by Rep.165 Foxx.166167 * Questions for the Record: Mr. Renfroe; submitted by Rep.168 Mfume.169170 * Questions for the Record: Mr. Rothstein; submitted by Rep.171 Foxx.172173 * Questions for the Record: Mr. Rothstein; submitted by Rep.174 Mfume.175176These documents were submitted after the hearing, and may be177 available upon request.178179 AN UPDATE ON MAIL THEFT AND CRIME180181 ----------182183 WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2025184185 U.S. House of Representatives186187 Committee on Oversight and Government Reform188189 Subcommittee on Government Operations190191 Washington, D.C.192193 The Subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, at 2:06 p.m., in194room HVC-210, U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, Hon. Pete Sessions195[Chairman of the Subcommittee] presiding.196 Present: Representatives Sessions, Foxx, Palmer, Burchett,197Mfume, Norton, Frost, and Randall.198 Mr. Sessions. Subcommittee on Government Operations will199come to order.200 I would like to welcome everyone. Without objection, the201Chair may declare a recess at any time.202 I recognize myself for the purpose of making an opening203statement.204 Before we go too far, we are being visited today by an205honorable, distinguished veteran of the United States military.206And as I was describing to a fellow--a Marine, a gentleman who207served our country as a Marine, I said, well, this guy, General208Al Zapanta, retired two-star Special Forces, United States209Army. And he said, yeah, the Army is kind of like the Armed210Services.211 So, General Zapanta, if you would please stand up and be212recognized for your service. Thank you very much.213 [Applause.]214 Mr. Sessions. In fairness, if there are others who have215served our United States military, if you would please take216time and stand up and let us honor you also.217 That would be the great Bill Womack, United States Marine218Corps.219 [Applause.]220221OPENING STATEMENT OF CHAIRMAN PETE SESSIONS REPRESENTATIVE FROM222 TEXAS223224 Mr. Sessions. Today's hearing regards the Postal Service's225response to mail theft and crime. I just took a few minutes and226met again our guests who are here today to provide us leading-227edge ideas about exactly that issue.228 The Postal Service is charged with delivering mail to every229address in our Nation six days a week. Within that system,230there are numerous points where bad actors attempt to steal231mail and harm people who work for the United States Postal232Service and others.233 It is common for myself and other Members of Congress to234hear about mail theft from our constituents. In fact, we hear235things most days, one way or another, about frustrations as it236is related to mail security. The Postal Inspection Service, the237Postal Service law enforcement arm is responding by creating a238strategy called Project Safe Delivery to combat mail theft.239 While progress has been made, Congress has certainly been240informed that criminals have increasingly begun to target241letter carriers also. There has been an 845 percent increase in242letter carrier robberies from 2019 to 2023. As such, this243Subcommittee on Government Operations is a part of trying to244make sure we are staying on top of this issue and to advise our245colleagues.246 Congress needs to ensure that the Postal Service is247responding to these threats and keeping not just letter248carriers safe, but the United States--entire United States249postal system. Mail theft creates distrust in the system, and250we need to make sure that more people have not just confidence,251but that fewer people are taken advantage of.252 For this reason, addressing mail theft and related crime is253a key to supporting the United States Postal Service in its254goal to become self-sufficient. I look forward to a robust255discussion.256 We believed, and Mr. Mfume believed, that this was timely257some months ago. We have chosen today, well before the258Thanksgiving and Christmas season, but certainly in time to259make sure that we hear from each of you about this, and I am260delighted that you are here today.261 One thing that you will learn today that you may not know,262and that is the Government Operations Subcommittee and263government workforce works on a bipartisan basis. We work264carefully, Mr. Mfume, myself, and the gentleman who sits to my265right today, Mr. Frost, is a prime example of a person who has266come to this Subcommittee with the idea we are going to get267away from fight and go to fix.268 So, I am delighted today to welcome the distinguished269gentleman from Florida, Mr. Frost, for an opening statement.270The gentleman is recognized.271272 OPENING STATEMENT OF MAXWELL FROST273274 REPRESENTATIVE FROM FLORIDA275276 Mr. Frost. Thank you so much, Mr. Chairman. And thank you277so much to our witnesses for being here today.278 Appreciate this hearing on one of the most pressing279challenges facing the Postal Service, the recent surge of280crimes committed against the United States mail system and281postal employees. Postal crimes threaten the safety of our282letter carriers and disrupt the lives of millions of Americans283who depend on reliable and secure mail delivery.284 The data we will hear today paints a troubling picture.285Between fiscal years 2019 and 2023, serious crimes against the286postal employees nearly doubled nationwide. Attacks on letter287carriers increased by more than sevenfold during the same288period.289 In the Fiscal Year 2024 alone, the United States Postal290Service received more than 268,000 complaints; 100,000291complaints of mail and volume of receptacle theft, which is292roughly the same level of complaints received in the Fiscal293Year 2020.294 Meanwhile, postal inspectors opened over 1,100 cases,295representing just half of one percent of reported incidents. I296commend the power of the postal inspectors who achieved an 89297percent clearance rate in the Fiscal Year 2024 for mail theft298arrests versus convictions, but the human costs of these crimes299cannot be captured by the data alone.300 Our letter carriers are dedicated public servants who301ensure Americans receive critical information, documents,302ballots, medication, and personal letters. And yet, they are303the ones being targeted, assaulted, and robbed at high rates.304 The theft of universal arrow keys that letter carriers use305to unlock mailboxes in bulk have surged from over 1,300 reports306in 2020 to more than 3,400 reports in 2024. In October 2024, a307letter carrier based in Baltimore was robbed at knife point on308their route so the thief could steal a package. These acts are309abhorrent.310 Mail fraud is another disturbingly, yet sadly prevalent,311part of postal-related crimes. In 2023, check fraud schemes312involving the Postal Service resulted in an estimate $688313million in losses.314 In March 2025, a U.S. district judge sentenced the man in315Baltimore for exploiting the Postal Service to engage in elder316fraud schemes of more than $700,000. These crimes destroy317lives.318 Unfortunately, independent oversight bodies have found gaps319in the Postal Service response to this crime. The Postal320Service is working to implement their recommendations, but321ongoing independent, nonpartisan oversight is critical to322ensure continued transparency and accountability.323 That is why two years into the launch of Project Safe324Delivery, our Ranking Member, Mr. Mfume, led a letter to325request that the GAO conduct a review of implementation and326results of the initiative. I look forward to reading those327findings.328 The Postal Service has a constitutional mandate and is the329lifeline of millions of Americans, particularly in rural330communities and hard-to-reach areas. When thieves target our331mail system, they attack the foundation Americans--American332commerce and communication.333 It is crucial that the Postal Service has the resources,334authority, and strategic direction needed to protect letter335carriers, secure the mail, and restore public's trust in the336Postal Service. Postal employees deserve a workplace where they337can deliver the mail without fear, and the American people338deserve a postal system that they can trust.339 I hope this hearing serves as an important step toward340achieving that goal, but we need everyone on board to do so.341 Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield back.342 Mr. Sessions. Mr. Frost, thank you very much. I appreciate343not just your comments, but your highlighting, once again, the344importance of today's hearing.345 I am pleased to welcome our witnesses for today.346 Brendan Donahue is Inspector in Charge of the United States347Postal Inspection Service.348 Julius Rothstein is Deputy Inspector General at the U.S.349Postal Service Office of the Inspector General.350 Brian Renfroe is the president of the National Association351of Letter Carriers.352 Frank Albergo is the president of the Postal Police353Officers Association.354 And then we have Chief Anthony Holloway, Chief of Police of355St. Petersburg, Florida Police Department.356 I am delighted that each of you are here today, and while I357had an opportunity to come down and welcome you, I think that358the role that you are going to play today will be instrumental359to every single Member of Congress.360 At this time, I would like to have each of our witnesses361stand for the administration of oath to witness. Pursuant to362Committee Rule 9(g), the witnesses will please stand and raise363their right hand.364 Do you solemnly swear or affirm that the testimony that you365are about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing366but the truth, so help you God?367 [Chorus of ayes.]368 Mr. Sessions. Let the record reflect that the witnesses369have all answered in the affirmative and we would like to thank370you very much, and please take your seat.371 We appreciate your time, your professionalism, and your372conduct today to lead this Subcommittee toward better answers,373not just to understand the facts of the case that we have374talked about, but also your professional witness testimony375today.376 Please know that while we ask that you limit your oral377statements to 5 minutes, I would like for you to make sure you378make your point. I do not want you to stop in the middle of a379sentence. I want you to finish what you are trying to do.380 Likewise, each of the Members here will afford you that381same privilege as they are talking with you. We want to make382sure that you have come here for a reason, and that we383understand what that is.384 As a reminder, you will notice that in front of you, there385is a button on the microphone in front of you. Please do, at386the time you are asked or recognized, that you push that button387so that the Members can hear you.388 And when you begin to speak, you will see a green light,389and then after 4 minutes, the light will turn yellow and then390the red light comes on. At that I ask that you prepare yourself391to finish your feedback to us.392 I now recognize the distinguished gentleman, Mr. Donahue,393for his opening statement, and welcome.394395STATEMENT OF BRENDAN DONAHUE, INSPECTOR IN CHARGE UNITED STATES396 POSTAL INSPECTION SERVICE397398 Mr. Donahue. Good afternoon, Chairman Sessions, Ranking399Member Mfume, and Members of the Committee. I appreciate your400interest in understanding the U.S. Postal Inspection Service's401role in securing our Nation's mail and protecting Postal402Service employees from harm.403 My name is Brendan Donahue, and I am an Inspector in Charge404for the Postal Inspection Service, the law enforcement, crime405prevention, and security arm of the United States Postal406Service.407 In my role, I provide executive leadership for domestic,408global, and national security. I proudly served as a postal409inspector and a postal employee since 2012, and I was410previously a uniformed police officer in Massachusetts.411 I want to specifically talk about mail theft and letter412carrier robberies with you today, and the steps that we have413taken to mitigate those crimes. Beginning around 2020 and414continuing to around 2023, the Postal Service experienced a415significant increase in theft from mail receptacles, primarily416driven by financial crimes like check fraud.417 The significant rise in mail theft and associated financial418crimes has been driven by highly organized criminal groups who419shifted their focus from high-risk, high-reward crimes to the420perpetration of low-risk, high-reward financial crimes.421 Although there is no single cause for the shift, it is422likely due in part, first, to mass pandemic relief fraud423perpetrated during the COVID-19 pandemic; second, to the424proliferation of cyber-enabled techniques that facilitate the425perpetration of financial crime; and third, a lax prosecutorial426and sentencing climate for property and financial crimes in427some U.S. jurisdictions.428 Prior to 2020, mail theft from mail receptacles, such as429blue collection boxes, was primarily perpetrated through forced430entry or using fishing devices. We countered that with physical431security enhancements to mail receptacles.432 During the same period these physical security enhancements433were implemented, and corresponding with a significant rise in434mail theft, the Postal Service began to experience a marked435increase in letter carrier robberies. The same organized436criminal groups perpetrating mail theft-related financial437crimes have also conducted a vast majority of these robberies438for postal keys carried by letter carriers.439 To counter these attacks against our postal employees and440to protect our delivery network, we launched Project Safe441Delivery, which includes our national strategy to combat mail442theft and letter carrier robberies.443 Since Project Safe Delivery was launched on May 12, 2023,444and in fulfillment of our strategy, we have installed more than44523,000 high-security blue collection boxes nationwide, with an446additional 16,000 blue collection and relay boxes to be447installed shortly.448 Replaced more than 42,000 antiquated hour locks with449electronic locks, with an additional 55,000 to be installed450shortly.451 Made more than 419 arrests for letter carrier robberies.452 Made more than 2,700 arrests for mail theft-related crimes.453 Conducted 16 enforcement surge operations in ten cities,454leading to 68 arrests with more than 1,000 investigative455actions.456 Hired ten Special Assistant United States Attorneys to457prosecute letter carrier robberies, mail theft, and other458postal crimes.459 Partnered with local and state law enforcement agencies,460such as the St. Petersburg, Florida Police Department, who is461here today, by adding more than 29 state and local law462enforcement task force officers to specifically investigate463mail theft-related financial crimes and letter carrier464robberies, adding to the more than 140 task force officers we465already have.466 Coordinated with the financial crimes enforcement network467to identify and analyze financial intelligence, associated mail468theft-related check fraud.469 Significantly raised reward amounts for information leading470to the arrest and conviction for postal crimes, including mail471theft with a reward of up to $100,000, and postal robberies472with a reward up to $150,000.473 Partnered with American Bankers Association and Independent474Community Bankers of America to produce and distribute check475fraud prevention material.476 Raised awareness among postal employees through all477employee standup talks and pay stub inserts.478 These are just some of the steps we have taken over the479past two years, and I can report today that we have seen480significant progress in mitigating these issues. Last fiscal481year, we saw a 27 percent decrease in letter carrier robberies.482And this fiscal year we are on track to see a 32 percent483decrease in letter carrier robberies.484 We have also seen a decrease in measures in mail theft,485with a 20 percent decrease in mail theft complaints last fiscal486year, and we are on track to see a four percent decrease in487mail theft complaints this fiscal year. This progress is488notable, but we acknowledge that we still have more work to do.489 There are no amount of attacks on our employees and no490amount of mail theft that will ever be acceptable to us. We491also continue to face challenges, such as with prosecution,492sentencing, and investigative tools where Congress' help would493be beneficial.494 The Postal Inspection Service is committed to protecting495all postal employees, securing the mail, and defending the496Postal Service's infrastructure from criminal attack. We have497answered this call for 250 years, and intend to continue our498proud tradition of service. We are committed to our mission and499to continually making significant investments of time, capital,500personnel, and resources to protect all employees and the mail.501 Thank you, Chairman Sessions, Ranking Member Mfume, and502Members of the Committee, for the opportunity to submit this503testimony. I look forward to answering your questions.504 Mr. Sessions. Mr. Donahue, thank you very much.505 Mr. Rothstein, before we come to you, I have a request,506which I am going to grant, pending Mr. Frost's agreeing.507 That is that one of our young Members, the Chairman of the508Rules Committee, has asked that she be allowed to go first in509asking questions right now because she has a bunch of votes at510her Ed and Workforce Committee.511 So, the gentlewoman would be recognized for 5 minutes.512 Ms. Foxx. Mr. Chairman, I truly appreciate this513dispensation you are giving me, and I appreciate the witnesses514and Mr. Mfume. And I will make this fairly quick. I will submit515some questions for the record for you, but I did want to come516here.517 The Postal Service has always been very important to me. I518am a person that uses the Postal Service a lot. I write a lot519of notes. I tell the story to people, when I was a student at520Appalachian State University in the 1960s, somebody wrote me a521letter: my name; Boone, North Carolina; no address. The post522office delivered it to me.523 That is the positive feeling I have about the post office,524and I want to see us have post offices like that all over the525country. Now, I know it is too complicated now; life was not526quite as complicated then.527 I want you to know I use the post office a lot. The people528in my area use it. It is an important infrastructure for all529Americans, especially those in rural areas, not only to send530important documents, bills and letters, but receive sensitive531items, such as medications and all kinds of important packages.532My husband uses it an awful lot.533 Therefore, any disruption in the flow of mail through theft534or other criminal interference should be taken very seriously.535 Mr. Donahue, you have just outlined some excellent things536that the post office is doing in conjunction with other people,537and I am not going to ask you to go into detail now, but I am538going to say, I would like to know what additional steps the539Postal Service can do to protect mail and workers experiencing540an increase in robberies and crime without additional cost to541the post office. I would like to know if there are ways to do542it.543 And then you alluded to the fact that Congress might be544able to do some things, and I would like to see those in545writing.546 And then to all the rest of the witnesses, we want--again,547constituents want to know when they put a check for their rent548or utilities in the mail, they expect it to be delivered on549time, not months later, and then they receive service charges550and all that.551 But I would like to know from you all any--I will read your552testimonies, but anything else that you do not have in your553testimonies that we can do to help the situation.554 And with that, Mr. Chairman, I appreciate again your555indulgence, and I yield back.556 Mr. Sessions. Thank you very much. Is the gentlewoman557seeking that she provided data and information and would look558for them to address that during this hearing or to respond in559writing?560 Ms. Foxx. No. I will ask that they respond in writing, and561I will have formal questions.562 Mr. Sessions. Respond in writing. Thank you very much,563Chairman.564 Ms. Foxx. Thank you. And we do have 20-plus votes, and they565need me. Thank you.566 Mr. Sessions. Yes, ma'am. Good luck at that. If you are at567the Rules Committee, it can be done very expeditiously, I am568sure.569 Mr. Rothstein, you are now recognized.570571 STATEMENT OF JULIUS ROTHSTEIN572573 DEPUTY INSPECTOR GENERAL, U.S. POSTAL SERVICE574575 OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL576577 Mr. Rothstein. Good afternoon, Chairman Sessions, Ranking578Member Mfume, Members of the Subcommittee.579 My name is Julius Rothstein. I am a Deputy Inspector580General for the United States Postal Service Office of581Inspector General. I was an organized crime prosecutor for582close to 30 years, and prior to coming to the OIG, I led DOJ's583largest crime intelligence fusion center.584 I appreciate the opportunity to discuss the OIG's work on585mail theft today. The OIG's mission is promoting the integrity586and accountability and efficiency of the U.S. Postal Service587and its regulator. We have oversight responsibility for an588agency of close to 640,000, with an annual revenue of $80589billion per year. We also are one of the most active OIGs when590it comes to closing cases and securing convictions.591 A significant focus of the oversight work that we do592involves mail theft. It involves both our investigations and593our audits. And while sometimes mail theft is a singular act594done by an individual, it is often a comprehensive, complex,595coordinated effort between a postal employee and outside596criminal organizations.597 As a result, we work in close cooperation with other law598enforcement agencies to disrupt and dismantle all elements of599this criminal network. Given the volume and complexity of these600cases, we must leverage cutting-edge technology and data601analytics that allow us to efficiently focus our limited602resources.603 One example is a powerful data tool that we developed in604collaboration with the financial services industry and also the605U.S. Department of the Treasury. It helps us pinpoint exactly606where in the postal system stolen checks and credit cards go607missing.608 This tool has proven to be invaluable in allowing us to609proactively identify mail theft. To date, this tool has610identified around $250 million in stolen financial instruments,611leading us to open 75 investigations and obtaining more than 35612indictments.613 Our data analytics support both our audits and our614investigations into mail theft. Recently, we used data615analytics and audits in targeted hotspots around the country616where we saw mail theft increase.617 We also examined the Postal Service's response to618mitigating mail theft, and although we found some positive619steps we are taking toward that end, there remain opportunities620for improvement.621 These run the gamut from low-tech to high-tech solutions,622and they include better management and tracking of universal623arrow keys, timely implementation of new technology, enhanced624security and maintenance of mailboxes, and improved security625management at postal facilities as simply as disallowing use of626backpacks on the workroom floor.627 Analytic support is crucial for our investigations so we628may focus on stopping large-scale mail theft schemes where629criminal organizations recruit postal employees often through630encrypted messaging apps or social media platforms with the631promise of a quick and easy buck.632 These employees, who have access to the mail, allow them to633steal letters containing checks, credit cards, and other634financial instruments. Criminal groups then use these items to635steal identities, commit forgery and fraud, or sell them636usually on social media platforms.637 In one recent case in Alabama, we caught a couple of postal638employees who were recruited to steal checks and mail directed639at local businesses. Co-conspirators would then alter these640stolen checks for a higher amount and then sell them on641encrypted messaging apps. This group stole more than $17642million from over 1,600 victims.643 As a result of our efforts, one of the postal employees was644convicted and sentenced to five years in prison, and another645main co-conspirator received a sentence of eight years.646 Sometimes a single hotline complaint from one of your647constituents is all we need to open up a larger investigation.648A recent Washington, D.C., area case started with that, a649single hotline complaint about a stolen credit card. Through650detailed analysis, we discovered that this was part of a larger651overall criminal scheme and linked it to other law enforcement652investigations in the area.653 In collaboration with the Postal Inspection Service, as654well as the Montgomery County Police in Maryland, we identified655a postal worker and external collaborator who stole more than6562,000 checks worth a total estimated loss of $2.8 million.657 In another case, our special agents uncovered a large658digital marketplace that sold stolen checks, which also659included U.S. Treasury checks. This led to a joint Federal and660local law enforcement investigation in North Carolina, and we661found a postal employee and co-conspirators had stolen checks662and sold them on this digital marketplace, costing the victims663close to $24 million.664 This case also inspired us to develop an analytics tool665that leverages AI to automate our ability to identify and666analyze suspected stolen checks. Our agents can now search for667these checks in far less time, making them more effective and668efficient.669 This is just a small sample of the work that we do that670protects the Postal Service, its employees, and the American671public.672 Thank you, again, for allowing me the opportunity to talk673about our work, and I look forward to answering any of your674questions.675 Mr. Sessions. Mr. Rothstein, thank you very much.676 The gentleman, Mr. Renfroe, is now recognized.677678 STATEMENT OF BRIAN RENFROE, PRESIDENT679680 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LETTER CARRIERS681682 Mr. Renfroe. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Ranking Member683Mfume, for the opportunity to testify on this issue that is684critically important to the Nation's 200,000 active letter685carriers.686 The safety, health, and well-being of the public servants687that I am privileged to represent are, of course, a top688priority for me. They should be a top priority for all of us.689 If we want to protect America's mail, we have to first690protect the people who deliver it. Congress has an opportunity691to do that by passing the bipartisan Protect Our Letter692Carriers Act, which is a comprehensive solution that would693deter crime against postal employees, hold those who commit694them accountable, and keep letter carriers and America's mail695safer.696 When I started as a letter carrier in Hattiesburg,697Mississippi, 21 years ago, violent crime was rare.698Unfortunately, that is no longer the reality, as we have heard699earlier in this hearing.700 Since 2022, five letter carriers have been murdered while701doing their jobs. Thousands of other postal employees have been702violently attacked. Nearly every single day, I learn of another703heartbreaking attack against one of our members. And we refuse704to accept that this is a new normal. It is dangerous for us, it705is dangerous for the American people, it is dangerous for the706mail.707 Just last week, new Postmaster General David Steiner708started his new appointment. He and other leaders of the Postal709Service take this issue seriously, and they have pursued710changes to deter these crimes, such as replacing our old lock-711and-key system for accessing mailboxes.712 My union supports the agency's Project Safe Delivery713initiative, and we applaud the hard work of the Postal714Inspection Service, which is made up of dedicated public715servants just like the letter carriers that I represent.716 But the simple fact is, despite their best efforts, the717scope of this problem has severely outgrown their capacity to718protect us, and we need protection now. We cannot wait for719another letter carrier to be murdered, we cannot wait for more720violent Federal crimes against these civil servants that serve721the American people every single day to decide that it is722finally time for legislative action. The time is now.723 Even as these assaults continue to surge, the number of724arrests and convictions remain alarmingly low. In recent years,725less than half of these crimes have been followed by an arrest,726and less than a quarter of these investigations led to727convictions. So, the majority of those who violently rob and728assault the public servants in uniform are getting away with it729with no consequences.730 Regardless of the administration in the White House, at any731point in time the Department of Justice must prosecute these732violent Federal crimes. Unlike many topics in this town, this733is not a partisan or political issue. This is not a finger-734pointing exercise. It is not a blame game. It is a problem that735everyone should recognize and be 100 percent behind addressing.736 No one wants violent crime in their neighborhood,737especially crimes that target public servants and jeopardize738the security of people's mail and packages. You know, everyone739in this building that is privileged to serve after being740elected as a Member of Congress is a public servant. All of the741witnesses here on this panel today are public servants, as are742many others in this room.743 And a primary duty of any employer, but especially the744government of the United States of America, should be to ensure745the safety of its employees. And the top priority for any on-746the-job safety should be to prevent and protect workers from747the threat of violent crime.748 Americans depend on us. They trust us. We proudly serve749them every day by delivering mail and packages, as well as750being important parts of our communities in a number of other751ways. And letter carriers want nothing more than to serve our752people, but we must be protected.753 And the people that commit these crimes, they must be754arrested, prosecuted, convicted, and sentenced. I urge you to755pass the bipartisan Protect Our Letter Carriers Act.756 Thank you, once again, for the invitation to testify, and I757look forward to answering any questions that you may have.758 Mr. Sessions. Mr. Renfroe, thank you very much.759 Mr. Albergo, you are now recognized for your opening760statement. The gentleman is recognized.761762 STATEMENT OF FRANK ALBERGO, PRESIDENT763764 POSTAL POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION765766 Mr. Albergo. Good afternoon, Chairman Sessions, Ranking767Member Mfume, and Members of the Subcommittee. Thank you for768the opportunity to speak today.769 It is difficult to overstate how senseless and, quite770frankly, indefensible the current posture of the Postal771Inspection Service has become. We are not talking about772abstract policy failures. We are talking about a measurable773collapse in institutional responsibility happening in real time774with real victims.775 In 2010, there were just over 2,200 high-volume mail theft776attacks. By 2023, that number skyrocketed to over 49,000, a7772,000-percent explosion. And yet, throughout this period, the778Inspection Service denied there was a crisis, suppressed779internal data, and removed its own uniform police from the780streets.781 This is not about lost birthday cards anymore. We have782entered an era of organized postal crime. Earlier this year,783the FBI warned Americans not to mail checks; a public vote of784no confidence from one Federal agency to another.785 And at a time when law enforcement agencies across the786country were expanding uniform patrols, the Inspection Service787did the opposite. In 2020, it benched its own Federal police788force. Even worse, it publicly declared that it had789comprehensively curtailed postal police patrols, effectively790inviting postal crime.791 Instead of prevention, the Inspection Service has become792reactive, conducting investigations only after the damage is793done. But you cannot stop crime with a case file. You stop it794with visible police presence. That is what the postal police795force did for 50 years. That is what we are still trained and796equipped to do. And if anyone says otherwise, they are not797being truthful.798 The Inspection Service's own data confirmed that postal799police officers are the agency's most effective tool to stop800street-level postal crime. I provided the Subcommittee with801that data showing sharp declines in mail theft and robberies802whenever and wherever postal police are deployed.803 Now, contrast that to Project Safe Delivery, essentially a804PR campaign long on talking points and short on deterrence.805Hard and blue boxes and lengthy investigations do not stop806criminals from prying open cluster box units, raiding postal807delivery trucks, or sticking a gun in a carrier's face.808 Meanwhile, both the GAO and the OIG have reached the same809conclusion. The Inspection Service has no method to determine810staffing needs, no performance metrics, and no strategy for811prevention. And instead of fixing it, the Inspection Service812asked for more time, until 2026, to decide what to do while813hoping Congress does not notice that the mail keeps getting814stolen.815 But the solution already exists: the postal police force.816Specifically, H.R. 2095, the Postal Police Reform Act, a817bipartisan bill that restores postal police authority to patrol818high-risk areas beyond postal property where postal police819officers (PPO)s are needed most.820 This no-cost legislation is endorsed by the National821Association of Police Organizations, the Fraternal Order of822Police, and the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association.823But instead of reinvesting in uniformed deterrence, the824Inspection Service is quietly dismantling it through attrition825and chronic under hiring to pay for investigative functions826that often duplicate the efforts of the Federal Bureau of827Investigation (FBI), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and828others.829 If the Inspection Service truly wants to save money, it830should cut unnecessary inspector investigations, not highly831effective police patrols. But it will not because the decisions832are being made by postal inspectors for postal inspectors.833 Since 2016, the postal police force has been decimated by834over 33 percent. Today, PPOs are being quietly phased out. And835yet, the number of postal inspectors remains fixed at about8361,300. For every inspector hired, the Postal Service could have837hired two PPOs at less cost. Still, the Inspection Service838insists that this is a job for postal inspectors.839 But here is what the Department of Justice told the Ninth840Circuit. The overwhelming majority of postal inspectors' time841is spent working at a desk or in an office setting. That is the842DOJ. Not patrolling, not intervening, and often claiming credit843for arrests made by local police, padding performance metrics844without ever leaving their cubicles. That is not law845enforcement. That is bureaucracy.846 We know what works. Uniformed deterrence, geographic847targeting, and data-driven patrols. Not drawn-out, costly848investigations that rarely lead to arrests or convictions.849 PPOs are already trained, already deployed to the highest850risk zip codes and already on the payroll, but banned by policy851from stepping off postal property. That is not law enforcement.852That is policy failure.853 Thank you, and I welcome your questions.854 Mr. Sessions. Mr. Albergo, thank you very much.855 Chief Holloway, welcome. The gentleman is recognized.856857 STATEMENT OF ANTHONY HOLLOWAY, CHIEF OF POLICE858859 ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA POLICE DEPARTMENT860861 Mr. Holloway. Thank you, sir.862 Chairman Sessions, Ranking Member Mfume, Members of the863Committee, my name is Anthony Holloway. I am the Chief of864Police with the St. Petersburg Police Department with over 39865years of law enforcement experience; ten years as the police866chief with the St. Petersburg Police Department; prior to that,867Clearwater and Somerville, Massachusetts.868 The city of St. Petersburg is the fifth largest city in869Florida, with a population of over 266,000. The St. Petersburg870Police Department has sustained a two-decade collaboration with871United States Postal Inspection Services, initially through our872canine task force embedded in the drug interdiction unit.873 In July 2023, this partnership expanded when United States874Postal Inspection Service, Tampa Division, invited the St.875Petersburg Police Department to join its newly formed financial876crime task force to combat the surge in check fraud linked to877stolen mail.878 Detective Daniel Nettleton was selected on August 23 to879join this task force as a task force officer to initiate--to880initial upon the completion of United States Postal Inspection881Service task officer training program on February 20, 2024,882assuming full-time ability to investigate crime.883 The detective was assigned to investigate check fraud884investigations stemming from intercepted United States postal885mail, as well as theft from postal bicycles, vehicles, and886facilities within the city limits of St. Petersburg and any887Federal crime across the Tampa Bay area.888 In June 2024, his work led to arrests of two separate889suspects, one who is facing pending Federal charges, and this890enforcement activity corresponds with the nearly decrease of 50891percent reduction in reported check fraud crime to the city of892St. Petersburg Police Department.893 In June 2023 through June 2024, we had 256 cases. In June8942024 through June 2025, we only had 134 cases. In late 2024,895the detective spearheaded an investigation into the alleged896election mail theft, an inquiry that elevated to the DOJ Public897Integrity Unit in Washington, D.C. Federal prosecutors resulted898in additional arrests and pending Federal charges.899 With this task officer assigned to this task force, it has900taken down the barriers where it allows the officers to work901outside the jurisdiction of St. Petersburg, Florida, where the902mail is stolen in the city of St. Petersburg, and then the903suspect then goes to either another city or another county and904then commits the fraud.905 Prior to this task force, the officers could only take a906report number, and we could not investigate those crimes. Now,907due to joining this task force, these officers can continue to908investigate these crimes being closer not only to the909residents, but also to the business owners into the city of St.910Petersburg and also allowing these suspects know that we will911follow them no matter where they enter.912 Our main job in the city of St. Petersburg is to make sure913not only our citizens are safe, but also anyone that works,914play, and visit in our city.915 For the detective's outstanding work, he received a letter916of commendation from Tom Sylvester, issuing a commendation on917November 24, praising his experience and his valuable role918working for the Tampa financial crimes task force.919 I want to thank you very much for allowing me here to speak920today, and I will answer any questions.921 Mr. Sessions. Chief, thank you very much.922 I will first go to the distinguished gentleman, Mr. Mfume,923for any questions in his 5 minutes. The gentleman is924recognized.925 Mr. Mfume. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Without926objection, I am going to yield out of order to Mr. Frost, thank927him also for developing the opening statement, and yield back928to you right now.929 Mr. Frost. Thank you so much. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.930 The U.S. Postal Service investigation service has931reportedly joined an investigative task force to help the932President, Stephen Miller, and Kristi Noem's Department of933Homeland Security carry out mass deportation efforts against934immigrants.935 In April, United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS)936officers reportedly participated in an immigration raid where937more than 100 immigrants were detained in a Colorado nightclub.938Only two of the people arrested had outstanding warrants.939 I strongly believe that the Postal Service should not940divert USPIS officers to partner with the Administration on941this work that they are doing. My Democratic colleagues and I942on this Committee recently sent a letter to both the Postal943Service and USPIS demanding transparency on the reported944coordination with DHS as it targets people for detention and945deportation. We have not held back--heard back. So, hoping to946have some questions answered here.947 Inspector Donahue, how often does the Inspection Service948cooperate with DHS on investigations involving immigration949enforcement?950 Mr. Donahue. So, thank you for the question. First, let me951clarify.952 The Postal Inspection Service does not have immigration953enforcement authority, and we do not conduct immigration954investigations. And I just want to make that very clear.955 Mr. Frost. You do not conduct investigations, but do you at956some points divert personnel to help with some of that957operation?958 Mr. Donahue. We do not divert personnel. Any participation959in any sort of enforcement operation, such as the one that you960noted in April, that would be related to a postal crime.961 So, while there may be an immigration operation, our962participation, again, related to a postal crime. So, for963example, somebody mailing drugs, fentanyl through the mail,964somebody committing identity theft, somebody engaging in money965laundering. That would be the extent of our presence at one of966those operations.967 Mr. Frost. Are you familiar with that exact situation? What968was the postal crime associated that warranted the officers969being there?970 Mr. Donahue. I believe in that specific circumstance, it971was a narcotics-related matter.972 Mr. Frost. Are there standing meetings between leadership973at USPIS and DHS regarding immigration enforcement?974 Mr. Donahue. So, I am not familiar with any meetings975between leadership and DHS on immigration enforcement. We976certainly have met with DHS and FBI and other counterparts977relative to the homeland security task forces, but we regularly978participate in those types of task forces, again, specific to979postal-related crime.980 So, those involving the sending of drugs through the mail,981the money laundering, those targeting cartels, those engaged in982human trafficking where the mail may be used to facilitate983that, again, such as with money laundering.984 That would be our extent of participation in those task985forces; again, not related to immigration enforcement.986 Mr. Frost. How many USPIS personnel have been assigned to987such cases thus far?988 Mr. Donahue. Can you provide some clarity to me when you989say----990 Mr. Frost. Cases that--cases where DHS is involved because991there is an immigration matter, but there is also some sort of992postal issue going on as well.993 Mr. Donahue. So, I am not sure at this time. But my team994behind me can take that question back, and we will provide a995written response.996 Mr. Frost. Thank you. Are there any ongoing agreements that997oblige y'all to cooperate with any of this?998 Mr. Donahue. I am not aware of any agreements that are in999place that would oblige us to cooperate if you are speaking1000relative to any sort of immigration matter.1001 Mr. Frost. What happens to inspectors' regular work of1002combating mail crime if they are assigned to cases that have to1003do with immigration enforcement?1004 Mr. Donahue. So, I am not aware of us, again, working any1005of those cases. We do not have immigration enforcement1006authority. We do not conduct immigration investigations.1007 Our investigations, again, are focused on those postal1008crimes. That is where our expertise is, and I expect that is1009where it will continue to be long into the future.1010 Mr. Frost. We have seen reports of DHS and Immigration and1011Customs Enforcement (ICE). But they have reportedly broken the1012law; violated constitutional rights of citizens, noncitizens;1013detained veterans; different things like this.1014 As it relates to cases where USPIS officers are engaged1015with DHS, is there any kind of guidance that you all are giving1016your inspectors when it comes to working with DHS?1017 Mr. Donahue. So, our guidance would be our existing1018policies that we follow, that the Postal Inspection Service has1019that guides the work that we do, in addition to following the1020law and the Constitution, and what we do every single day with1021investigations that we conduct regardless of who those1022investigations are, whether the Federal, state, or local level.1023 Mr. Frost. Thank you so much. I look forward to response on1024some of the numbers we spoke about.1025 Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield back.1026 Mr. Sessions. Gentleman yields back his time. Distinguished1027gentleman, the young Chairman, Mr. Palmer.1028 Mr. Palmer. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We have seen a spike1029in mail theft and postal-related crime.1030 Is there a particular reason why we are seeing that, Mr.1031Donahue?1032 Mr. Donahue. I believe so. There are a number of reasons.1033First, as I referred to in my oral testimony, then also my1034written testimony, we have seen a shift from criminal activity1035from what would be considered high-risk, high-reward crimes,1036such as drug trafficking, to those organizations engaging in1037low-risk, high-reward financial crimes. And that is really what1038motivates individuals to commit mail theft.1039 They are seeking to steal the mail to perpetrate financial1040crimes that has driven activity, also online forums and1041marketplaces where--whether it is stolen checks, postal keys1042can be easily sold, and also the use of encrypted messaging1043that makes it more difficult for law enforcement to be able to1044intercept those communications and to be able to conduct its1045investigations.1046 All of those things, I believe, have helped to add to this1047atmosphere where criminals believe it is permissive to commit1048these crimes, and I think also there is a significant issue1049when it comes to deterrence and being able to deter these.1050 Again, in my oral written testimony, I spoke to some of the1051prosecutorial challenges we have, but then also some of the1052challenges that we have with sentencing.1053 Mr. Palmer. Well, let me ask you.1054 Mr. Donahue. Yes, sir.1055 Mr. Palmer. I want to go a little bit deeper into this, a1056little different direction.1057 So, based on your answer there, are they seeking to get1058personal identification information from the mail, and if they1059are doing that, are they transferring that, selling that1060information to international organizations? I mean, is that1061where we are seeing the uptick?1062 Mr. Donahue. So, I believe the uptick is what I mentioned1063before, specific to the theft of financial instruments. But1064certainly, we see the theft of mail to perpetrate identity1065theft, the theft of personal identifying information.1066 Mr. Palmer. You see international groups involved in that?1067 Mr. Donahue. We certainly do see international groups in a1068lot of investigations that we conduct, both involving mail1069theft, financial crimes, and others.1070 Mr. Palmer. We saw during the COVID pandemic an enormous1071amount of theft in regard to unemployment bonus compensation1072and other compensation, and a lot of that was perpetrated by1073international groups. Some of it was perpetrated within the1074United States by different groups, and they were using the1075mail, for instance, where states sent out debit cards.1076 Is that part of--have we seen--has that continued going1077forward, that type criminal activity? Anyone can answer.1078 Mr. Donahue. So, we certainly have seen, as you noted,1079during the pandemic where criminal organizations, both1080domestically and overseas, perpetrated mass pandemic fraud,1081taking advantage of the large amount of money that was made1082available, and also some of the looser restrictions on1083obtaining those funds.1084 And then in some cases stealing checks or prepaid debit1085cards or other payment mechanisms that were in the mail to1086perpetrate these crimes.1087 Mr. Palmer. Where do most of these crimes occur? Do they1088occur at the individual's post office box at the street or--I1089think theft at collection boxes has gone down quite a bit.1090 Are they interdicting the postal delivery officer en route?1091Where do most of the thefts occur?1092 Mr. Donahue. So, if it involves the Postal Service in terms1093of that financial crime, the theft of PII, personal identifying1094information, or financial instrument, that can occur anywhere1095along the process in which mail is being sent or received.1096 And so, in some cases that is at the street level, and when1097it is at the collection box. In some cases, it is when it is at1098a person's mailbox at their house that is unsecured. In other1099cases, unfortunately, there are a very small number of1100individuals that work for the Postal Service who commit crime1101and take advantage of their position and steal mail from there,1102which Mr. Rothstein spoke to earlier.1103 So, we see it all along the process where there is1104potential for theft.1105 Mr. Palmer. What should people be doing to secure their1106personal identification information against mail theft?1107 Mr. Donahue. So, there are a number of things that1108individuals can do to secure their personal identifying1109information against mail theft. First, suggest that1110individuals, when they receive their mail, that they pick it up1111as soon as possible when it is delivered to their mailbox.1112 We encourage customers to sign up for Informed Delivery.1113That gives them a preview of mail that is coming to their house1114so they can identify what mail is going to come to their house,1115and they can be on the lookout for it and get it.1116 We also encourage individuals, if they are going to send1117mail, to mail in the most secure way possible; they can bring1118it into the post office; they can hand it to their letter1119carrier who will take it from them; or if they work at a place1120of business, they can have it picked up there.1121 Those are just some of the tips that we provide to the1122public on how to safely and securely send their mail.1123 Mr. Palmer. With your permission, Mr. Chairman, one last1124question.1125 Do you provide that information online, or how would you1126get that information to the customers of the U.S. Postal1127Office?1128 Mr. Donahue. Thank you. So, we do provide it a number of1129ways. In some cases online, in some cases the prevention1130material that I showed before that we worked on with the1131American Bankers Association, which is made available through1132them and all the other financial institutions.1133 In some cases, we share it with the public through1134community forums, through presentations, in some cases, coming1135on to Members of the House and their town halls that they have1136with their constituents where we are more than happy to1137participate and share that information.1138 Social media.1139 Again, there are a number of ways that we share that1140information.1141 Mr. Palmer. Thank you. I thank the witnesses, thank the1142Chairman for his indulgence, and I yield back.1143 Mr. Sessions. Gentleman yields back his time.1144 The gentlewoman, Ms. Norton, is recognized.1145 Ms. Norton. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.1146 The Postal Service has a mandate to provide efficient and1147reliable mail service to every address in America. That mandate1148requires the security of the mail and the people who deliver1149it.1150 Unfortunately, crime committed through or against the U.S.1151mail system remains high. The Postal Service must maintain1152strong prevention and enforcement activities to stop this1153crime. Historically, postal police officers defended employees,1154customers, and property against the clock seven days a week,1155wherever there was email.1156 But in 2020, the Postal Service issued a determination that1157post officers limit their role in postal facilities. Today, the1158Postal Service employs 450 postal police officers that guard1159postal facilities across the country.1160 Mr. Albergo, what examples of crimes can postal police1161officers not assist with under this current policy?1162 Mr. Albergo. So, under current policy, if a postal police1163officer is traveling from one post office to another, and we1164witness mail theft in progress, if we witness a letter carrier1165being attacked, we are told to stand down, we are told to call1166911.1167 In New York, we are prohibited from responding. We cannot1168respond. They do not want us to respond.1169 Ms. Norton. Thank you. The Government Accountability Office1170issued a report in 2024 that found that the Postal Inspection1171Service improperly documented, and here I quote, ``the1172processes for determining how many law enforcement workers it1173needs across its divisions to respond to serious crime.''1174 It is surprising that the Postal Service lacks this1175critical data to inform the strategic personnel and security1176procedures.1177 Mr. Donahue, has the Postal Service prepared a cross-1178current review of its inspector workforce and security1179assessment? If so, can you provide this information to the1180Committee as soon as it is complete?1181 Mr. Donahue. So, thank you for that question. In regards to1182the workforce assessment that you spoke of, that is underway1183now, and I expect that it will be completed by September 1. And1184we will make sure that, once that is complete and available to1185share, that that is shared with you.1186 Ms. Norton. Thank you. I hope the new Postmaster General1187will reverse the Postal Service's decision to limit postal1188police officers' jurisdiction. If not, Congress should.1189 I yield back.1190 Mr. Sessions. The gentlewoman yields back her time.1191 Ms. Randall, you are now recognized for 5 minutes.1192 Ms. Randall. Thank you, Mr. Chair.1193 You know, Americans in all of our districts rely on the1194Postal Service to ensure the safe and efficient delivery of1195sensitive information, personal letters, cards, financial1196documents, medicines, ballots. And regardless of where1197Americans might live, the Postal Service, as we all know, has a1198legal and universal obligation to, quote, ``provide prompt,1199reliable, and efficient services to patrons in all areas and1200shall render postal services to all communities.''1201 Unfortunately for Americans living in rural parts of the1202country, like Queets, and Elma and Quilcene and the Key1203Peninsula in my district, this is a far cry from their lived1204reality, partly due to postal-related crime.1205 Despite the recent collaborative efforts from the Postal1206Service and Postal Inspection Services to combat rampant mail1207theft and crimes targeting letter carriers, postal-related1208crimes continue to disproportionately impact local, rural1209communities in my home state.1210 In Washington, mail theft has spiked, and more letter1211carriers are being attacked on the job. Since last December,1212West Seattle has reported multiple cases of mail stolen1213directly from delivery trucks. In Spanaway, a carrier was1214robbed at gunpoint for his arrow key, which, as you know, is1215the universal key that unlocks mailboxes and cluster mailboxes.1216 Inspector Donahue and Mr. Rothstein, what are your1217respective agencies doing to address the violent attacks on1218carriers in communities like mine and across the country?1219 Mr. Donahue. So, first, in regards to your community and1220every state, the Postal Inspection Service has postal1221inspectors located across the country in nearly every state,1222and also in our territories. And we utilize those personnel to1223respond to attacks on employees to investigate those cases and1224to bring those responsible for it to justice, and especially1225when there is an attack, we prioritize those cases and ensure1226that they are thoroughly investigated.1227 In regard to other steps that we have taken, prevention1228being one of them, and there are a number of ways that we have1229done that. Raising awareness amongst postal employees about1230steps that they can take to protect themselves, raising1231awareness amongst the public about steps that they can protect1232their mail, which may lessen the chances of an attack on an1233employee depending upon the motive.1234 In addition to that, we have helped secure our network by1235investing and making improvements to infrastructure that we1236have. I spoke about the additional e-locks that we are1237installing earlier in my testimony, and then also our high-1238security collection boxes and really trying to devalue that1239arrow key so it is not an attractive target for a criminal in1240order to steal that.1241 Another way that we have done it, is partnering with local1242and state law enforcement agencies to add task force officers1243to serve as a force multiplier. You know, some of the biggest1244challenges that we have with prosecution are in some cases with1245juveniles. I think, as you know, there is no Federal juvenile1246system, but yet we see juveniles recruited to help perpetrate1247these crimes. And in some cases, they are committing these1248violent acts, but the Federal system is not appropriate for1249them.1250 And so, our partnership with local, state law enforcement1251agencies allows us to leverage the power of their state1252authority or local authority that they have to bring charges1253there. And those are just some of the steps that we have taken.1254 And I will note we are looking to add additional task force1255officers, both on financial crimes and our violent crime task1256force officers, but those that investigate other crimes. And1257certainly, that is available in Washington State and in other1258states represented by the Members here.1259 Ms. Randall. Mr. Rothstein, do you have anything to add?1260 Mr. Rothstein. Yes. I would like to state that, again, the1261primary responsibility for investigating violent crime against1262mail carriers does lie with the Inspection Service, but we do,1263at the OIG, work violent crime cases.1264 Quite frankly, I get an incident report every time that1265there is violence done within a mail facility or done to one of1266our carriers, and it gets to my desk, and I hear about it that1267morning when that happens.1268 And although it is not a primary responsibility, our1269special agents work hand in hand with postal inspectors, just1270like they do with us during our cases. And especially if it is1271a violent case where we are asked for assistance, our special1272agents will roll out there, do surveillance, help work with the1273arrest scene.1274 And if I ever hear that our agents decline an offer to1275assist with that, I will make corrective action in that,1276because that is simply not the way that we roll. And it is1277simply not the partnership that we want to have.1278 Even though we do have oversight of the Inspection Service,1279we know that in investigating these cases, especially when1280dealing with public safety or the safety of postal employees,1281we are going to be working those cases arm in arm.1282 Ms. Randall. Thank you so much.1283 Thank you, Mr. Chair.1284 Mr. Sessions. The gentlewoman yields back her time.1285 The gentleman, Mr. Mfume, the Ranking Member, my dear1286friend, you are recognized.1287 Mr. Mfume. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I want to1288thank you for the working partnership that we have had on this1289Committee and the bipartisan manner in which we have tried to1290deal with a number of different things, not the least of which1291is our love and respect for the Postal Service and the men and1292women that make it work day in and day out.1293 I cannot underscore enough how I appreciate the testimony1294and the work of all of you who have come before us today. Each1295one of these sessions becomes a learning tool for those of us1296who sit on this Committee, because we do not see everything1297from every angle. So, your perspective on all these things1298alone is very, very important.1299 I think that without a doubt we are all still astonished by1300more than a quarter of a million complaints of mail and mail1301volume receptacle theft that we continue to hear about and read1302about.1303 The Postal Service, as has been said, and as we all know,1304has a constitutional mandate. It is, in fact, a lifeline for1305millions and millions of Americans, particularly in rural1306communities and those people who cannot fight and stand up for1307themselves, but who rely day in and day out on a basic service1308that has been so much part and parcel of the fabric of our1309Nation, going all the way back to Benjamin Franklin.1310 And so, it is crucial that the Post Office, in my opinion,1311has the resources to carry out their mission and to realize1312also that in many respects this is about data, but it is more1313than data.1314 It is also about human beings who are on the other side of1315the equation. We refer to them as letter carriers. And they1316work day in and day out to make sure that the service that we1317have come to take for granted is still there.1318 What we find challenging is the rate of devilish1319interception and the rate of interception that comes from1320thieves, and this criminal mindset that if you put up two1321fences, we want to find a way to scale a third one.1322 It is trying to get in front of those persons and getting1323in front of that criminal mind that is a real challenge, not1324just in this matter but in all matters.1325 So, the more you can work to do that, I think it is clear1326that the more it is appreciated by a lot of us.1327 And I have listened. And this whole issue of Project Safe1328Delivery, I do not want to undercount it. I think it is1329important. The progress that is being made there is important.1330I commend the inspector generals. Your work is a tough job day1331in and day out.1332 But we have got to find a way, I think, Mr. Chairman, to1333make sure that as we use cutting-edge technology, and as we1334work to improve data analysis so that we can reduce, if not to1335some extent try to eliminate much of this problem, is1336important.1337 I cannot help but to go back again to letter carriers and1338what they are faced with in the street. In my own district in1339Baltimore, we continue to get reports of assaults and attempted1340assaults on letter carriers.1341 I sometimes will get out of my car and talk with one or two1342of them just for them to feel comfortable enough to give me a1343straightforward feel of what they see every day, what they feel1344in their heart, what their ideas are on how we can find a way1345to get a handle on this, and it is an amazing kind of1346testimony.1347 So, when we here on this Committee try to deal with this1348issue openly and objectively in a nonpartisan way, we really1349have to be open to every suggestion--suggestions on the data1350side, suggests on the human side--that hopefully will move us1351forward.1352 Mail fraud and all that it has brought about is disturbing.1353I cannot begin to tell you that. I listened to the gentlewoman1354from North Carolina talk about what her experience was back in1355the 1960s.1356 So, many people have positive experiences with the Postal1357Service. The Postal Service's rating among Americans has been1358high for such a long time, and it is because the Postal Service1359is a part of the family. That is how people look at things.1360 So, when I, Mr. Albergo, listen to your testimony, I am1361reminded of that testimony I heard from you and from many of1362your men.1363 In fact, a year ago, or two years ago, they presented me1364with their badge. They said, ``Take this, put it in your desk,1365do not ever forget that the Postal Police are out here and that1366we are out here to service you and to service the country.''1367 I just think we have got to create, Mr. Chairman, a way to1368give the police clear lines of demarcation so we will know what1369they can do, what they cannot do, and what we expect them to1370do, and how we are going to support them.1371 So, I would ask all of you what is the number one thing we1372could do. I am sure that is to provide necessary resources.1373 But above and beyond that, I just want to thank you all for1374your service. I want to pledge the commitment of this side of1375the aisle as the Chairman and I work together on these issues1376to try to move a Congress, which is really stratified these1377days and dug in on different sides of the fence.1378 We try to find that sliver in the middle where most people1379are, which is where you are governed from, not the far left or1380the far right, but the middle. And people expect us to be able,1381in that middle, to move along in such a way that we create1382progress.1383 So, I am sure this is not going to be the last time that we1384see some of you before the Committee. I would strongly urge,1385outside of your written testimony, if there are new things that1386develop over the course of the next couple of months, that you1387transmit them to the Chairman and myself so that we can also1388take those into consideration; and where there needs to be1389clarity on news reports sometimes that are a little ambitious,1390to say the least, that you provide us with what the actual1391facts were and are.1392 And with that, Mr. Chairman, I would yield back the balance1393of my time. Thank you, again. It has been a good working1394partnership. And I yield.1395 Mr. Sessions. Mr. Mfume, thank you very much. The chance to1396hear your comments about the workability of this Subcommittee,1397I hope, is important to anyone who is listening, because when1398we do work together, I think we achieve so much more.1399 I would ask unanimous consent that a statement provided by1400the National Association of Postal Supervisors be entered into1401the record, by Mr. Chuck Mulidore, who is in attendance today1402with Mr. Levi.1403 And I welcome both of you.1404 Without objection, that will be entered into the record.1405 Mr. Mfume. Good to see both of you again.1406 Mr. Sessions. It is good.1407 Chief Holloway, you have heard Mr. Mfume give strong1408credence and support to postal workers, postal employees, that1409also include their law enforcement, and the men and women who1410take an obligation to deliver our mail fairly, quickly,1411properly.1412 And I think it is the reason why you were included on here,1413or at least the reason why I included you, was we also count on1414our local partners. And you represent, by being a chief in1415Florida of a large department, you recognize that we just do1416not have enough Postal police officers, inspector generals, and1417those postal inspectors to be looking out everywhere, every1418time.1419 Talk to us about a reasonableness issue related to the way1420you see it, about your officers, your command, your use of your1421force in support of crimes that may be committed against1422people, including the United States Postal Service.1423 Chief Holloway. Thank you very much, Chairman, for that1424question.1425 Mr. Sessions. Yes. I am sorry, sir. Is your microphone on?1426 Chief Holloway. It is, sir.1427 Mr. Sessions. Okay. I need to turn my hearing aid up. I do1428not have one, but I will pay attention here. Thank you, sir.1429 Chief Holloway. Thank you, again, sir, and thank you for1430the question.1431 In the city of St. Petersburg, we have over 602 officers,1432and our partnership with the United States Postal Inspection1433Service works quite well because it gives us that added tool1434that we need to help enforce the crime that is in our1435community.1436 Again, as I said in my earlier statement, it breaks down1437some of the walls to give the investigators the ability to go1438throughout the county and throughout the state to follow these1439criminals no matter where they are.1440 Our main primary goal is to make sure that the citizens in1441the city of St. Petersburg are safe at all times, and the1442people that work there, our mail carriers. So, when there is an1443issue, that we want to be working hand in hand with the1444inspectional services to make sure that we can address that.1445 I can tell you--I only can speak for the Tampa Bay region--1446that when something does happen, that the inspectors and the1447local law enforcement officers are working hand in hand1448together to figure out how we are going to, one, make sure that1449the mail person is safe, and also make sure the community is1450safe.1451 The biggest thing that we see early, again, like I said1452earlier, is that the victims, when their checks or when their1453credit cards are stolen from them, there was no followup,1454because it happens in one jurisdiction, and the suspect will go1455to another jurisdiction, and those two local law enforcement1456agencies are only going to handle the crime that occurred in1457their city.1458 Whereas working with our Federal partners, it allows us the1459opportunity to go across those barriers, so we can bring not1460only those suspects into custody, but also to bring these1461victims what they need, closure, because even though the money1462is put back into their accounts, they are still a victim of1463identity theft, and they still have to live through that.1464 So, that is our job, is to make sure that we continue to1465bring closure to those victims and also to make sure we get1466these suspects in custody.1467 Mr. Sessions. Very nice. So you are stretched also for your1468resources?1469 Chief Holloway. I am very fortunate, Chair, that my mayor,1470my city council, whatever we need, we are able to get those1471resources available to us. Again, I only can speak for my city1472and my law enforcement.1473 Could we use more law enforcement officers out there? Of1474course we can. But at the same time, when we have an issue, we1475have the right resources that we can bring to those issues that1476are needed.1477 Mr. Sessions. So, I heard you say, without you saying it,1478that you believe that if there is a crime perpetrated against1479someone, some sort of a mail crime, that you would, in fact, go1480and initiate, write a report.1481 And then, do you then refer that, generally speaking, to1482the postal inspectors? Or what is your process? Or do you even1483know what that might be?1484 Chief Holloway. No, sir. Because we have an officer, a1485detective, assigned now to the Postal Inspection Service, so we1486have a task force officer, so he is available now, and he can1487investigate those crimes, where before we were part of the task1488force, it would just sit there. It would just be a report1489number waiting for someone to look at it.1490 Now, with us joining the task force 18 months ago, we are1491now actively working these cases each and every day. So, when a1492case is reported to the St. Petersburg Police Department, we1493actively look into it, and we use our partners at the Post1494Office to make sure we can continue these investigations.1495 Mr. Sessions. Without putting words into your mouth,1496because you have this association that is a strong working1497relationship, is there, generally speaking, a time of the year1498that you believe your officers would be reminded and there1499would be at a higher level of understanding to be looking for1500mail crimes, postal crimes to occur, to where, because you do1501have that relationship, it helps your officers to spot and1502solve these matters?1503 Chief Holloway. It does by that detective assigned to the1504task force. When he sees something, he can report it back to1505our intelligence unit, and we can put a BOLO out so those zone1506officers, or even our surveillance team, will know where to go,1507so they can provide protection for those mail carriers when we1508see an issue that we need to address, or that we get1509information that we are looking for a certain suspect, that we1510can also be able to follow those suspects and make sure there1511is no harm caused to our mail carriers in the city of St.1512Petersburg.1513 Mr. Sessions. It is refreshing for me to hear that you care1514about them as you do any other citizen, and thank you very1515much.1516 Mr. Rothstein or Mr. Donahue, do you have an understanding1517about maybe the success that might be turned about--and I am1518going to use the wrong term, but there was a term, maybe1519``notice of delivery,'' I have had that in my mail, or where1520they notify you of the delivery. Do you perceive that you could1521use that as a tool where you know you had certain post offices1522or where you had certain areas where there were checks that1523came in or an abundance of something to where you would then1524notify--it is easier to find, I assume also, a piece of mail1525that has been, I will call it, tagged, a notice of delivery.1526 Does that help you in your investigative duties1527proactively? Or can you discuss that viewpoint that I think I1528have had about maybe this is an important way to help you solve1529crimes?1530 Mr. Rothstein. Yes, Chairman. I believe that IIC Donahue1531talked about the Informed Delivery system. And, again, it is1532one way that any postal customer can sign up for the Postal1533Service's Informed Delivery system, that will give them an1534email, to their email of choice, of the letters and now even1535packages that are slated to be delivered to that address.1536 So, that customer, that postal customer who is expecting a1537credit card or expecting a check, will have an actual image of1538that envelope and that mail that is supposed to be delivered1539for them.1540 And, again, this goes into being a good consumer. If you do1541not receive it, you are given notice that, well, sometimes1542delays happen. Give it a couple days. If you do not receive it1543within three days, I always say, give the OIG a call.1544 Because, again, if it was on the mailman's part, that is1545primarily our responsibility, to investigate the internal1546employees if they are involved. Go to our hotline, file a1547complaint, give our OIG a call.1548 And we do use data for that. I know that the Ranking Member1549talked about data and the difference. Yes, there is a1550difference between victims of violent crime, as well as looking1551at the data.1552 But the data does enlighten and give our agents insight1553into what is happening. If you are familiar with military1554threat attack doctrine or cybercrime, there is a term called1555``zero day,'' and that is the time of realization of that1556vulnerability when it is either a cyber-attack or a military1557attack.1558 The zero day when it comes down to financial crime is the1559realization that your accounts have been compromised--a check1560has been stolen, someone has withdrawn amounts or charged to1561your credit card, or created another credit card in your name.1562That happens, unfortunately, so much later because sometimes1563consumers are either not very, again, vigilant in checking1564their credit card statements and check statements, or they are1565just simply unaware fraud has happened.1566 What the data has done, especially with this data-sharing1567partnership that we have with the Treasury Department and more1568than a dozen banks in the United States, is that we get this1569data, and we are informed about credit cards and checks that1570are not delivered in the requisite amount of time.1571 It allows us sometimes to act even before that fraud is1572committed or that check is converted or stolen on the, again,1573encrypted messaging apps. And that is a huge tool in reducing1574the cost to consumers, huge in reducing the cost to financial1575institutions.1576 And it gives us a leg up because now we know what financial1577instrument has been compromised. And we could look through the,1578again, the platforms that we know are being used for illicit1579sales and resales of these stolen items that were stolen from1580the mail. And so, it gives law enforcement a leg up.1581 And so, when you talk about successes, again, it is one1582thing to talk about how this is effective. I would not1583necessarily call it successes right now because we are seeing,1584again, similar actions like this that we do not have the1585resources to respond to from last year and projected this year1586alone.1587 We use data and all these data sources to examine what are1588the potentially similar or different types of cases that we do1589not have the resources to open, and, unfortunately, that number1590is over 100,000 different cases. And, quite frankly, with 4501591agents, we are limited in what actions we do take.1592 And so, it makes us more effective, but we are far from, I1593think, seeing the success that the American public really1594deserves in having their financial instruments, their hard-1595earned money secured.1596 Mr. Sessions. I think that what you have said is not just a1597positive attribute of the system but shows its flexibility with1598the ability to proactively contact customers to let them know,1599offer services, and do those things.1600 One of the things which I regularly try and do is I try and1601give tips or feedback to people, whether it be about Medicare,1602Medicaid, Social Security. I really need to include something1603about this Informed Delivery.1604 And while I have been a part of it in the past, I did not1605know how I got it. It showed up. I became aware of it. I think1606it was a positive thing.1607 But I definitely think that someone that is looking for1608something that has been talked about, by not just Mr. Frost,1609not just Virginia Foxx, not just Ms. Randall, but valuables--1610valuables--that I am looking for something as opposed to1611something showing up.1612 I think that that would be a hot tip that I would be1613pleased to notify my people.1614 Last, the issue of cluster boxes, cluster boxes have1615created within the congressional district that I represent in1616largely new areas, large areas where maybe a new homeowners1617association was formed or a new housing project came in.1618 Does anybody have any advice about something that they have1619learned about how to better secure them, data and information1620that might be a tip to a consumer? Any one of you.1621 Mr. Donahue. So, in regard to cluster boxes and securing1622them, I think one of the most important things that somebody1623who is a resident of a neighborhood that has a cluster box, if1624there is damage to it, either if it is due to purposeful damage1625or if it is inadvertent damage, that they report that, so that1626that can be repaired.1627 I see so often there were cluster box units, and even in1628apartment buildings, those apartment mailbox panels, they1629become damaged, and then they become potential targets for1630theft and go unreported.1631 And to the extent that it can be shared with the public, to1632report those instances when it is damaged, to do so. And that1633also affords us in the Postal Service the ability to determine1634whether or not potentially that cluster box unit was broken1635into and if it was purposeful, or if there was some other1636reason for it.1637 And so, it also affords us the opportunity to work with the1638homeowners association to get it repaired.1639 Mr. Sessions. Good.1640 Mr. Mfume, I would offer, if you have any other questions.1641I, while being here, I have found this most instructive. It is1642a question that you and I and probably every Member deals with1643one way or another. Sometimes frustration,1644 Mr. Mfume. Yes.1645 Mr. Sessions. Sometimes achievement. But I will tell you1646that one thing that you and I know, and that is the men and1647women, by and large, vastly across this Service, are devoted to1648not only their job, but also think of themselves as being1649public servants also. And I think that that is a high standard1650that speaks volumes about each and every one of you.1651 Chief, you would fit in there also, though not with the1652Postal Service, but in service.1653 The gentleman is recognized.1654 Mr. Mfume. Yes, let me followup on this matter of cluster1655boxes and arrow keys. It seems like it is all I have been1656talking about the last five years.1657 Is it correct to assume that if I rob you and I am able to1658evade the Postal Police, and I go to a cluster box and take1659this universal key and put it in, it will open all of my access1660to all of the mailboxes? Is that correct? Is there a code that1661has to precede that?1662 Mr. Renfroe. No. So, the arrow lock-and-key system that we1663have had for many years, that we still utilize today in most of1664the country, if you get your hands on that key, you can open1665anything, at minimum, within that ZIP Code, sometimes far, far1666beyond that--collection boxes, cluster boxes.1667 It is one of the reasons that a very, very important piece1668of the solution is an effort that the Postal Service has1669already undertaken, and that is to replace them with an1670electronic alternative.1671 We have done testing in the past. They are, as aggressively1672as they can, replacing them with an electronic alternative that1673does not have that same value.1674 Mr. Mfume. And how many of these cluster boxes do you1675anticipate exist nationwide?1676 Mr. Renfroe. Well, there are over nine million locks, which1677is--every one of those locks has got to be changed manually.1678 And that is one of the important pieces of the bipartisan1679legislation that has been introduced in the House and the1680Senate, the Protect Our Letter Carriers Act, is that it will1681provide funding so that the Postal Service could speed up1682replacement of not just that entire key system, but also the1683high security collection boxes that Mr. Donahue was mentioning.1684 Mr. Mfume. Right. And I understand. I mean, I am a1685cosponsor of the bill here in the House. I get it, trust me.1686 I am just trying to figure out how in the hell did we get1687in a situation where we created an entry system for nine1688million, or how many millions there are out there of boxes1689where there are going to be valuables, checks, personal1690information, medicine, that people are waiting for? How did we1691get to that, do you know?1692 Mr. Renfroe. I think many years ago, decades ago, that was1693the only alternative, and like many other things with the1694Postal Service that we have talked about in this very room, it1695has been starved of modernization. And, unfortunately, we are1696at a point where the modernization of this particular system1697being past due is harming people, frankly.1698 Mr. Mfume. So, until we get to the point, through data and1699electronics and analytics, that we can replace or reduce that,1700is there no suggestion, no way around that?1701 I mean, we cannot put a Postal Police officer at every1702cluster box. And so, we know that this rate of crime continues1703to go up.1704 Are there suggestions that any of you have about what we1705can do in the interim, knowing where we are trying to go with1706this?1707 In the interim, what can take place to reduce some of the1708pain and a great deal of the loss that is out there every day?1709 Mr. Albergo. Well, when we know an arrow key is stolen and1710we know the same blue collection boxes are being hit over and1711over again, the same cluster boxes are being hit over and over1712again, and you have trained Postal Police officers, it might be1713a good idea to actually deploy those Postal Police officers to1714protect those boxes that are being infiltrated.1715 Mr. Mfume. Well, Mr. Albergo, it seems to me that the1716previous Postmaster reduced the authority of Postal Police and1717on many occasions said that their jurisdiction was not1718applicable here, there, or somewhere else. And the Congress did1719not, in my opinion, do all it could to provide the resources.1720 So, you are understaffed. You are in a situation where we1721have got a new Postmaster. There is previous precedent where1722the outgoing or long-gone Postmaster has said Postal Police1723should not go here, they should not go there, they should not1724do this, and we are going to provide less money.1725 So, I guess, I do not want to tell you what your testimony1726is here, but I would like to know what you would suggest to1727this body before we conclude this hearing on how do we find a1728way to increase jurisdiction and at the same time increase the1729ability to bring on more.1730 Mr. Albergo. Well, the enabling statute that gives Postal1731Police their authority is ambiguous. So, the Postal Service can1732interpret that statute any way they want.1733 They made a policy choice to bench the Postal Police Force1734during a postal crime wave. I mean, it was misguided. They are1735saying--I mean, what are they supposed to say at this point? It1736was really stupid? I mean, that is not what they are going to1737say.1738 So, they are looking for excuses when--and who is1739suffering? I mean, when they hardened those blue collection1740boxes, it just displaced the crime. It put a target on letter1741carriers' backs, and carriers started getting robbed.1742 And while that was happening, the Inspection Service--it1743was not actually their choice. It was Postal legal that made1744the decision. They grounded the Postal Police. And not only did1745they ground us, when media asked why, they said: Well, Postal1746Police do not have any jurisdictional authority.1747 And most people do not differentiate Postal Police from the1748Postal Inspection Service. So, the Postal Service was actually1749saying the Inspection Service--or this is what people were1750hearing--the Inspection Service does not have authority to1751arrest mail thieves. So, it was a criminal free-for-all.1752 Mr. Mfume. Yes, yes. That it was, that it was.1753 Mr. Chairman, I yield back. Thank you.1754 Thank you, Mr. Albergo.1755 Mr. Sessions. Thank you very much.1756 This now ends the hearing portion of this, and I would1757defer to Mr. Mfume if he would choose to give a closing1758statement, and then I plan to.1759 Mr. Mfume. No, I really do not have much more to say. I1760think the witnesses can see my frustration. I can see their1761frustration. We all have different roles in trying to figure1762this out.1763 And I think we all feel a great deal of empathy for victims1764across this country who are expecting medicine or valuables or1765checks in the mail, only to find out that they do not get them.1766And then, of course, the people who are delivering them are1767under threat of being robbed, shot, stabbed, or killed.1768 Maybe we ought to conclude on my side with that, Mr.1769Chairman. I want to thank them again, and thank you, and1770certainly yield back for whatever statement you might have.1771 Mr. Sessions. Mr. Mfume, thank you very much.1772 I hope that the witnesses who are before us today recognize1773that as you drew questions from Members, there still is a wide1774variance of people who have comments about the Postal Service.1775 It is my hope that you heard us say today that we have1776confidence in you, that we do know that the cost of the stamp1777and the cost of the Postal Service and the work that is being1778done, the day-to-day work that is done, not only by these1779letter carriers but mail people, is one that goes on and on and1780on. And they are expected to--and do--deliver, and many times1781in overtime and circumstances that are not beautiful.1782 We have circumstances like the floods that we had in Texas1783where those rural letter carriers in most of the instances that1784I am thinking of now, but also others in the Service, where the1785Post Office bends over backward to accommodate communities and1786people and hold mail and try and do the extra work that it1787would mean to someone who might be in stress, someone who might1788be searching to find a loved one who perhaps they cannot find1789now or have not been found, would recognize the need that that1790family has to gain confidence of getting their mail.1791 I could just go through a hundred circumstances that could1792happen--freezes, tornadoes, a crisis that families have--and1793the Post Office is embedded in much of those same types of1794circumstances. And when I deal with the Post Office, I find1795that they want to bend over backward to help people.1796 So, on behalf of this Subcommittee, which has the1797jurisdiction for the Postal Service, I want you to know that1798Mr. Mfume and I have great confidence in what you have done1799today.1800 You helped us to prepare ourselves as we think about the1801future and, perhaps more importantly, to know that Mr. Mfume1802and I appreciate and respect you and the people you represent1803in the Postal Service.1804 I now will move to the end. With that, and without any1805objection, all Members have five legislative days within which1806to submit material and additional written questions for the1807witnesses, and they will be forwarded to the witnesses from the1808Subcommittee.1809 If there is no further business, without objection, the1810Subcommittee stands adjourned.1811 [Whereupon, at 3:38 p.m., the Subcommittee was adjourned.]Witnesses
1 witness appeared, with 3 papers on file.
Documents
The committee filed 47 documents for the meeting.