Henrico Times

Congressman Rob Wittman and several Virginia lawmakers have raised alarm over mail disruptions and delays within the Richmond Regional Processing and Distribution Center (RPDC) in Sandston. In a letter to the United States Postal Service’s Inspector General, the lawmakers highlighted various instances of mail problems affecting constituents across Virginia.

The lawmakers expressed their concern, stating, "Since last summer, we have seen a significant uptick in mail disruptions and delays within the Richmond RPDC’s covered area." They further added, "These developments are especially concerning as the Richmond RPDC was one of the first implemented consolidation projects as a part of USPS’s Delivering for America initiative."

Examples cited in the letter included stories such as that of Ron, a Vietnam veteran from Mechanicsville, Virginia, who faced prolonged delays in receiving medication from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Another case involved Lys, a medical supply business owner in Richmond, whose supplies worth over $1,000 were never delivered, leading to significant business repercussions.

Furthermore, county officials in the Northern Neck region of Virginia reported receiving delayed mail, impacting tax collections and operations. The lawmakers also highlighted the case of Micah, a PhD student at Virginia Commonwealth University, whose visa application to the Italian Consulate was lost in transit, causing financial losses and uncertainty about his academic future.

Congressman Wittman had previously raised concerns about mail delays and their effects, pressing USPS for answers and meeting with officials to address the issue. The lawmakers have shared these stories with the USPS Inspector General to assist in the ongoing audit of the Richmond RPDC.

The letter concludes with a call for improved postal service efficiency and a request for the Inspector General’s assistance in addressing the issues raised by constituents and businesses in Virginia.