EXCLUSIVE: Hawley to introduce bill blocking lavish USPS executive bonuses over mail delays, losses
FIRST ON FOX: Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., is proposing legislation that would withhold bonuses for U.S. Postal Service executives, citing years of staggering financial losses for the agency and its overall on-time delivery record.
Hawley, who has launched an investigation into the Postal Service over its service record, will name the legislation the No Bonuses for Bad Service Act, Fox News Digital has learned.
The bill would prohibit the USPS Board of Governors from approving any additional compensation for the postmaster general and deputy postmaster general for a fiscal year in which the agency doesn't meet or exceed an on-time delivery rate of 95% for all mail products.
"While Missourians don’t receive their mail on time, the Postmaster General receives a hefty bonus each year," Hawley wrote in a statement to Fox News Digital. "I am introducing the No Bonuses for Bad Service Act to ensure postal service leadership isn’t receiving bonuses while Americans’ mail goes undelivered. It’s time for the Postmaster General to do his job and put Americans first."
Over the past ten years, postmasters general have received more than $2 million in additional compensation, even as delivery performance declined and budget numbers got worse, according to Hawley's office.
Among the reasons cited by Hawley for the proposed bill are the agency's $25 billion in financial losses over the past three fiscal years, which have coincided with an increase in postage rates and a dip in on-time delivery.
During the last three years of Louis DeJoy's tenure as postmaster general, the Board of Governors approved more than $567,000 in bonuses, Hawley said. Current Postmaster General David Steiner, who assumed office in July 2025, has already received $170,000 in bonuses, Hawley said.
When Hawley confronted Steiner about the additional compensation during a June 24 hearing, Steiner said he doesn't control the doling out of bonuses.
"I am absolutely astounded at this today, general … and, frankly, if things don’t get better, you ought to resign, because you’re not doing the job. You’re leaving your good postal workers out there. You’re hanging them out to dry. They don’t make near what you do. They’re working their butts off, they’re getting blamed and you’re getting the bonus. We have a big problem. Based on what I’ve seen today, you’re part of it," Hawley said at the time.
Residents in rural parts of Missouri sometimes wait weeks for their mail, Hawley said. In addition, a large pile of undelivered mail was found in April in a vacant lot in north St. Louis.
"The pattern is clear: As service has gotten worse, the postmaster general’s pay has not," Hawley said.
In a July 15 letter to Hawley, Steiner invited the senator to participate in a tour of the USPS' St. Louis Processing and Distribution Center with other officials.
"I would be glad for you to join us, after which we can discuss all the issues you raise," wrote Steiner.
"If the St. Louis tour does not work for you, I would be happy to sit down and address the questions and concerns posed in your letter at your convenience," he added. "Let us see what work we can do together to improve service for Missourians and all Americans."
Hawley was already investigating the Postal Service, accusing Steiner of ignoring congressional oversight while demanding records on the agency's use of outside restructuring consultants.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the postmaster general's office for comment.