WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressman Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) released the following statement in response to the U.S. Postal Service’s (USPS) one-month lease extension for the Fort Howard Post Office. Initially expected to close on Friday, September 15, the Fort Howard branch is now expected to continue operating in its current location until October 14, while USPS continues working towards a long-term solution. This development comes after the lawmakers sent a letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy expressing concern over the agency’s initial plan to close the Fort Howard branch, as well as the resulting challenges that their constituents would face in retrieving their mail following the closure.

“Following months of pushing for clarity, the lease extension announced by USPS will offer the Fort Howard community some temporary relief from the uncertainty they’re facing over their mail service. We are working hard to give USPS every opportunity to resolve this situation. A one-month extension is positive, but it is not a long-term solution, which is sorely needed. We implore USPS to work through this quickly and provide transparency to all parties as it finds a way to best deliver for the community.”