Smith, Van Drew join House Democrats to back $25 billion post office aid package

Reps. Christopher Smith (R-Hamilton) and Jeff Van Drew (R-Dennis) were among the 26 House Republicans who crossed party lines on Saturday to support a $25 billion package to help the U.S. Postal Service continue operations.

All ten Democrats in the New Jersey House delegation voted for the bill.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi had recalled the House to Washington for the vote over the objections of House GOP leaders.

President Donald Trump had urged Republicans to vote no.

The legislation requires the post office treat vote-by-mail ballots and VBM applications as first class mail.

The bill passed 257-150 and now heads to the United States Senate.

“What is happening now is one of the gravest crises of the tumultuous last four years,” said Rep. Bill Pascrell,  Jr. (D-Paterson).  “That Republicans decry our actions today as a fake controversy show that their dereliction is bottomless… there must be executive accountability. Donald Trump, Louis DeJoy, Steven Mnuchin, or anyone else in this regime involved in this sinister scheme need to be hauled before a criminal grand jury for election subversion.”

Smith, the dean of the New Jersey delegation, was among the first Republicans to caution U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy against curtailing mail services.

“The USPS, its universal delivery network, and its postal workers and carriers are a reliable presence in communities across the nation,” Smith said.  “We must not shortchange the postal service which has proven so critical to our economy, elections and democracy.”

Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Wyckoff) said that the bill prohibits the removal or decommissioning of mail sorting machines and mailboxes and overtly reverses any changes already implemented that have resulted in delays to mail delivery.

“The Postal Service is essential to the fabric of our communities, providing New Jersey families and all Americans with critical services, including the delivery of life-saving prescriptions, Social Security benefits, paychecks, tax returns, and ballots,” Gottheimer stated. “By tampering with the mail, the Postmaster General’s actions are tampering with the health, safety, and economic security of North Jersey residents, seniors, veterans, and our small businesses.”

Rep. Andy Kim (D-Moorestown) said that “today’s vote sends a strong message that we are not going to stand by and watch this essential service be degraded or harmed.”

“Whether it’s getting our seniors their prescriptions drugs, our veterans their benefits, or helping our small business owners stay afloat in these difficult times, the men and women of the U.S. Postal Service provide an essential function,” said Kim.  “I’m proud to stand with them and to ensure that our communities get the service they’ve come to expect and truly deserve.”