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Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., unveiled proposed legislation Thursday that would prevent the U.S. Postal Service from awarding bonuses to its top executives during years when the agency fails to maintain a 95 percent on-time delivery rate. The measure, titled the No Bonuses for Bad Service Act, directly targets compensation for the postmaster general and deputy postmaster general when operational performance falls short of targets.
Hawley’s proposal comes amid an ongoing investigation into USPS operational challenges, including significant financial deterioration and consistent delivery delays affecting communities nationwide. The senator cited $25 billion in losses across the past three fiscal years, which coincided with increased postage rates and declining on-time delivery metrics. Rural Missouri residents have experienced weeks-long mail delays, and in April a substantial cache of undelivered mail was discovered in a vacant lot in north St. Louis.
According to Hawley’s office, USPS executives have received substantial bonuses despite poor performance. Louis DeJoy, the previous postmaster general, was approved for more than $567,000 in additional compensation during his tenure. Current Postmaster General David Steiner, who took office in July 2025, has already received $170,000 in bonuses since assuming the position.
Hawley confronted Steiner during a June 24 hearing, expressing frustration over executive compensation disconnected from service outcomes. Steiner disputed his personal control over bonus decisions. Over the past decade, postmasters general have collectively received more than $2 million in supplemental pay despite declining agency performance.
The Postal Service’s Board of Governors currently approves executive compensation packages with minimal accountability mechanisms. Hawley’s office has also requested records regarding the agency’s engagement of outside restructuring consultants as part of a broader oversight effort.
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