Mail has slowed in recent years, and some lawmakers want to hold the USPS accountable for late delivery of bills. In an announcement last week, three US Representatives (Cleaver, Graves, and Alford) announced the “Pony Up Act,” stating in part:
“Countless complaints have been registered by constituents whose mail hasn’t arrived on time, or at all in some cases. Many of those complaints have involved paying a late fee due to bills being delivered late. Multiple municipal utilities have also complained that their bills aren’t arriving to their customers in a timely manner. The legislation would require USPS to pay any late fees incurred on bills due to delayed delivery service.”
Speaking of his constituents, Congressperson Cleaver said, “Not only is it preventing them from getting timely information, but it is costing them their hard-earned dollars as they face late fees due to delayed delivery on monthly bills.”
The announcement explained how the late fees would work if the bill was passed into law: “The bill would enable anyone who incurred a late fee due to the late delivery of a bill to file a claim for a late fee repayment. Filing for the repayment would occur online through a portal or in person at any post office. The legislation would also require a report on delayed mail, giving Congress relevant and accurate information to identify how effective the Postal Service is and what average delays look like.”
Official text of the Pony Up Act is available on Representative Cleaver’s government website.