A new Republican-led initiative is gaining momentum to dismantle a key component of the Biden administration’s electric vehicle (EV) push. Lawmakers from the DOGE Caucus have introduced legislation to rescind billions of taxpayer dollars allocated to the struggling U.S. Postal Service (USPS) electrification program.
The “Return to Sender Act” Targets USPS EV Funding
On Monday, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Rep. Michael Cloud (R-TX) announced the “Return to Sender Act,” a bill aimed at clawing back $3 billion in funding from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) that was earmarked for USPS’s electric fleet initiative. The move follows mounting concerns over cost overruns, production delays, and a lack of transparency in the rollout of the Next Generation Delivery Vehicles (NGDVs).
Critics argue that the USPS EV initiative has turned into yet another example of Washington’s wasteful spending. The rollout, originally set to deliver 60,000 new trucks over several years, has fallen significantly behind schedule.
EV Rollout Struggles to Gain Traction
Since the project’s inception, defense contractor Oshkosh Corporation has failed to meet production targets. By November 2024, only 93 vehicles had been delivered—far below the 3,000 initially expected. A December 2024 report from The Washington Post revealed serious concerns from workers within the manufacturing process. Some employees candidly admitted that they “don’t know how to build a damn truck.”
“This is the bottom line: We don’t know how to make a damn truck,” one worker was quoted as saying, further fueling criticism over the project’s management.
Republicans Slam the Biden Administration’s EV Push
Ernst, who chairs the DOGE Caucus, did not mince words about the situation.
“Biden’s EV postal fleet is lost in the mail,” Ernst declared. “The order needs to be canceled with the unspent money returned to sender—the taxpayers. I am defunding this billion-dollar boondoggle to stamp out waste in Washington. Tax dollars should always be treated with first-class priority.”
Cloud echoed Ernst’s criticism, labeling the initiative a costly failure.
“This law funneled billions into a failed USPS EV project that has delivered nothing but delays, defective trucks, and skyrocketing costs,” Cloud told Fox News Digital. “Three years later, taxpayers are still waiting while the Postal Service refuses to provide basic transparency on where the money went.”
USPS Defends EV Fleet Despite Mounting Setbacks
The USPS, despite its financial struggles, had agreed to pay a higher price per vehicle after Oshkosh increased production costs. The finalized deal placed the cost per EV truck at $77,692 for 28,000 vehicles, significantly exceeding initial budget estimates.
Despite these challenges, Oshkosh CEO John Pfeifer expressed confidence in the project during an investor call last fall, stating that the company was “really happy where we are.” However, with continued production shortfalls and growing scrutiny, Pfeifer’s optimism now appears misplaced.
In response to criticism, USPS insists the fleet modernization effort remains a crucial element of its operational overhaul.
“From the start, USPS committed to purchasing the most environmentally sustainable vehicles across the organization’s entire fleet, consistent with financial and operational considerations,” USPS spokesperson Kim Frum told Fox News. “Deliveries of new NGDVs to the Postal Service remain on track to the contracted schedule.”
Political Implications and Future Outlook
With production figures failing to meet expectations and costs spiraling, Republican lawmakers see an opportunity to rein in wasteful spending while pushing back against Biden’s broader climate agenda.
With a Republican-controlled House and a closely divided Senate, the “Return to Sender Act” could gain traction. If passed, the bill would eliminate any remaining federal funds that have not yet been committed under the USPS electrification initiative.
The bill has already been read twice in the Senate and referred to committee for further deliberation. As GOP lawmakers escalate their fight against Biden’s climate policies, the fate of the USPS EV program remains uncertain.
Conclusion
The “Return to Sender Act” represents a significant challenge to the Biden administration’s EV ambitions, highlighting concerns over government waste, mismanagement, and accountability. As the debate unfolds, taxpayers and policymakers alike will be watching closely to see whether this initiative moves forward or stalls in legislative limbo.