NORFOLK, Va. — U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott (VA-03) has joined a bipartisan group of Virginia lawmakers in calling on the United States Postal Service (USPS) to address delays and disruptions.
Scott wrote a letter on Friday to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and USPS Virginia District Manager Gerald Roane outlining his concerns, particularly that hundreds of colon cancer screening test samples recently didn't make it to the Richmond VA Medical Center in time. Some samples dated as far back as mid-2023.
"The mismanagement that occurred with the Richmond VA hindering the medical treatment of veterans is wholly unacceptable," Scott wrote in his letter.
He continued: "There is no excuse for the mishandling of packages containing potentially lifesaving contents. Whether it is the delivery of test samples or any materials healthcare facilities rely on to provide adequate care, they should be guaranteed to be delivered within a reasonable timeframe. Everyone should be able to rely on the timely delivery of items sent through USPS."
The Democratic congressman also referred to recent complaints regarding "bill payments arriving late for senior citizens, local post offices being closed during regular business hours, and other mail being delayed or not delivered at all."
Scott's letter comes after U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner and U.S. Reps. Jennifer McClellan, Rob Wittman, Abigail Spanberger, Jen Kiggans and Bob Good wrote a letter to USPS officials in January regarding the same issue.
Lawmakers told 13News Now that the issues are trickling down to people in Hampton Roads.
In his letter, Scott requested a USPS briefing with his office to explain the delays and what steps are being taken to make sure it doesn't happen again.
He also requested to tour the USPS facility handling mail for southeast Virginia to "better understand the clearly systemic challenges the agency is facing in ensuring an efficient mail system for our community."
