Senator Josh Hawley, R-Mo., is introducing legislation aimed at withholding bonuses for U.S. Postal Service (USPS) executives, citing the agency's persistent financial losses and declining on-time delivery performance. The proposed "No Bonuses for Bad Service Act" would prohibit the USPS Board of Governors from approving additional compensation for the Postmaster General and Deputy Postmaster General if the agency fails to meet or exceed a 95% on-time delivery rate for all mail products in a given fiscal year.
Hawley's office stated that over the past decade, Postmasters General have received more than $2 million in bonuses despite a decline in delivery performance and worsening financial figures. Specifically, the agency has incurred $25 billion in financial losses over the last three fiscal years. During the tenure of former Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, the Board of Governors reportedly approved over $567,000 in bonuses. Current Postmaster General David Steiner, who began his role in July 2025, has already received $170,000 in bonuses, according to Hawley's office.
During a June 24 hearing, Hawley confronted Steiner about executive compensation. Steiner indicated that he does not control the distribution of bonuses. Hawley expressed his dismay, stating, "Based on what I’ve seen today, you’re part of it." He further noted that residents in rural Missouri have experienced mail delivery delays of several weeks, and a large quantity of undelivered mail was discovered in a vacant lot in north St. Louis in April.
Hawley is also investigating the Postal Service regarding its use of outside restructuring consultants, accusing Steiner of disregarding congressional oversight. He previously questioned Steiner about a proposed USPS rule that would reportedly halt mail-in ballot delivery to states that do not provide the federal government with their absentee voter lists.
