Hawkeye Reporter

U.S. Senator Joni Ernst from Iowa has expressed concerns over the United States Postal Service's (USPS) electric vehicle (EV) fleet initiative, highlighting that despite a $10 billion investment, only 250 electric vehicles have been delivered. Ernst is advocating for legislation to cancel the order and return over $1 billion in unspent funds to taxpayers.

"Biden's multi‑billion‑dollar EV fleet for the USPS is lost in the mail and more than $1 billion is postmarked to order more," said Ernst. "I am working to cancel the order and return the money to the sender, the American people."

According to DC Newsline, Senator Ernst's statement aligns with a broader Republican legislative effort to dismantle the Biden administration’s USPS electric vehicle transition. Senate Republicans, led by Ernst and other members of the DOGE Caucus, introduced the "Return to Sender Act" in response to what they describe as a failed $10 billion EV rollout that has yielded only 250 vehicles. The act aims to rescind more than $1.29 billion in unused Inflation Reduction Act funds, citing underperformance and alleged misuse of taxpayer money.

The USPS electric vehicle initiative was launched with significant federal support but has faced challenges, delivering just 250 vehicles so far. As reported by American Greatness, lawmakers argue that the Biden-era USPS fleet contract has not met expectations despite substantial funding. Key deployment benchmarks remain unmet after nearly two years due to procurement issues, production delays, and rising costs. These issues have prompted lawmakers like Ernst to call for terminating the agreement and reallocating unspent funds.

The Next Generation Delivery Vehicle (NGDV) program was designed to replace an aging mail truck fleet with up to 165,000 new vehicles, including at least 66,000 battery-electric units. According to Spectrum News, this initiative is partially funded through a $3 billion allocation from the Inflation Reduction Act aimed at supporting climate-conscious investments in federal infrastructure. While initially praised by environmental advocates, its slow rollout and inconsistent execution have led to scrutiny from lawmakers concerned about fiscal accountability.

In partnership with Representative Michael Cloud of Texas, Senator Ernst introduced the "Return to Sender Act" aiming to halt further investment in the USPS’s underperforming EV program. A press release from Ernst’s office details that the legislation would reclaim over $1.29 billion in unspent funds allocated under the Inflation Reduction Act and prevent USPS from entering into new EV procurement contracts under current terms. The bill also includes provisions for greater transparency and contract oversight as part of broader GOP efforts against what they see as wasteful spending on unproven green initiatives.

Senator Joni Ernst has served Iowa in the U.S. Senate since 2015 and holds distinctions as both Iowa's first woman elected to federal office and the first female combat veteran in the Senate. A retired lieutenant colonel from the Iowa Army National Guard, she served for over 23 years including during Operation Iraqi Freedom where she commanded a transportation company.