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Pushing the Envelope Blog

The OIG Testifying Before Congress

Date: 07/19/21 | Category: OIG

From time to time the OIG, usually represented by the Inspector General (IG), is asked to testify before a Congressional committee or subcommittee. Our agency may be asked to testify about various aspects of Postal Service operations, our investigations into such areas as drug trafficking, or an overview of issues raised in a recent audit or white paper.

Last week, our IG, Tammy L. Whitcomb testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government. That’s the subcommittee that provides annual appropriations for the OIG, the Postal Regulatory Commission, and some limited funds to cover certain costs for the Postal Service. During the hearing, titled A Hearing to Review the FY 2022 Budget Request for the USPS Office of Inspector General and USPS Service Issues, IG Whitcomb offered an overview of our budget request and the work it covers, as well as discussed problems with the Postal Service’s processing and delivery networks.

In her testimony, IG Whitcomb noted that despite having one of the leanest OIG operations, we provide a large return on investment, $30 for every $1 in our budget. With the Postal Service’s plans to institute several large, new undertakings — changes to its processing network, reductions in service standards, and significant price increases — there is an increased need for new levels of continuous oversight. With funding, the OIG would increase the number of people monitoring service in the field, providing near real-time feedback, allowing the Postal Service an opportunity to fix situations as they arise.

Proper funding will also allow the OIG to expand data analytics efforts, allowing us to identify areas of concern in almost real time for audits and investigations. We can also create new dashboards — like our recently published service performance page — to provide greater transparency for postal stakeholders on postal operations and performance.

In last week’s testimony, as well as in other hearings, we look to inform Congress and the general public on the work we do. 

Leave a Comment

Your Name
Aaron
Jul 24, 2021
Your Comment
As a past employee of the USPS in rural SC I can't stress enough the importance of timely delivery and integrity placed on EACH piece of mail...regardless of what it was....spam mail or certified letter.... Each piece was valuable... And you didn't leave to go home until it was alllllll delivered for that day. That was the Rural carrier side..... Can't speak for city carriers.... Anyway.. your routes were specified ahead of time and pay was set so if it took longer that expected it was on your own dime...... That was everywhere....

I don't see why the crisis is now a crisis.... How is me taking taking the same pay whether it's 1 letter or 50 letters I have to put in each box....how is that affecting the USPS's budget at all??? The rollbacks affecting delivery and times is all BS

Ps I worked there as of 3 years ago... This wasn't ages ago

I'm all the time not getting mailpieces that are supposed to be delivered according the the USPS informed delivery ....some late... Most I never even see. Where's it going inspector generals office??? Inspect that
  
Your Name
Cartero
Aug 5, 2021
Your Comment
When City Carriers hit 12 hours in a service or 60 hours in a service week they must stop working no matter what is left.
Continually loading a 2 1/2 ton truck with 5 tons will see it break. The city delivery force has been broken by overburdening them and their union the NALC has stopped ignoring their members trying to hide a lack of staff and resources by working past the 12 and 60 hour limits

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

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Laura J Berben
Jul 21, 2021
Your Comment
Consumers have seen the quality of the USPS diminished as a Republican-led Congress privatizes the USPS, which isn't working for the public.

Louis DeJoy should be fired for his participation in Trump's numerous attempts to steal the 2020 election by suppressing mail-in voting. Streamlining operations is one thing. Nefarious, harmful activity in service of one tyrant is something else entirely. Streamline minus DeJoy for the benefit of the American People,
  
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Mr fuji
Jul 23, 2021
Your Comment
I agree dejoy is a bum, look at his wiki page..he leveraged his dad's business into an entire career of nefarious activities. He even tried to cheat his siblings out of this inheritance. Scumbag imo

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

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Richard M Carey
Jul 19, 2021
Your Comment
Service standards should NOT be loostened