Trump is dead set on cutting costs.
Two prominent Republican lawmakers are taking action to reclaim $3 billion allocated under President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act for an electric car fleet project for the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). This legislation, designed to reduce carbon emissions and modernize the USPS fleet, has faced significant setbacks, sparking frustration among lawmakers and taxpayers alike.
The project, led by South Carolina defense contractor Oshkosh, was initially set to provide 50,000 EV delivery trucks within a few years. However, as of November, fewer than 100 vehicles had been delivered, despite the government’s commitment to the project. A recent investigation by the Washington Post uncovered that the contractor was already “far behind schedule,” with internal sources admitting the company struggled to even build the trucks.
In response, Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), chair of the Republican DOGE Caucus, and Representative Michael Cloud (R-Texas) have introduced the “Return to Sender Act.” The bill seeks to recover approximately $3 billion—about 30% of the funding from Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act—set aside for this electric vehicle initiative. Ernst has called the situation a “billion-dollar boondoggle” and insists that the project, which has faced numerous delays and price hikes, needs to be scrapped. The contractor’s price increase—raising the cost of each truck to $77,692—has only added fuel to the fire, prompting Ernst and Cloud to demand that taxpayer money be returned.
Cloud, echoing the sentiments of many Republicans, criticized the Inflation Reduction Act for misdirecting taxpayer dollars toward a project that has failed to deliver results. “This initiative has led to nothing but delays, defective vehicles, and inflated costs,” he stated. “Taxpayers deserve transparency and accountability, not more wasted money.”
The USPS, however, maintains that its EV fleet modernization remains a central part of its operational strategy. Despite the setbacks, USPS claims that deliveries of the new vehicles are still on track, with an evolving schedule to match the agency’s financial and operational needs. Yet, Ernst and Cloud argue that the delays, cost overruns, and lack of accountability make it clear that the project is a failure, and the funds should be redirected elsewhere.
In addition to the “Return to Sender Act,” Ernst has also raised concerns about the overall mismanagement of government projects through the Billion Dollars Boondoggle Act. This legislation seeks greater oversight of taxpayer-funded projects that are over-budget or behind schedule.
For many Republicans, this issue highlights the growing frustration with wasteful government spending and the need for greater fiscal responsibility. With growing skepticism over the effectiveness of Biden’s policies, the “Return to Sender Act” is just one of many attempts by conservatives to hold the administration accountable for its spending priorities.
