During a heated Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing, Postmaster General David Steiner faced sharp questioning over a controversial proposed rule involving mail-in ballots and state voter rolls.Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) challenged Steiner on whether the U.S.Postal Service could be used in a way that might influence election outcomes, particularly under pressure from political actors.

The discussion centered on a proposal that would allow USPS to potentially refuse or delay mail-in ballots from states that do not provide voter registration data or voter rolls to the federal agency.Steiner acknowledged during the hearing that the Postal Service had put forward the proposed rule and confirmed his support for it.

He also insisted that the agency routinely delivers mail-in ballots and that its day-to-day operations already include handling such election materials.

However, critics at the hearing argued that the proposal could transform the Postal Service into a de facto election administration body, raising concerns about federal overreach into state-controlled election systems.

Senator Slotkin accused the Trump administration of using postal policy as part of a broader strategy to question or influence the legitimacy of elections, warning that the Postal Service could be turned into a political tool.

Her remarks reflected broader Democratic concerns, echoed in a letter signed by all 47 Senate Democrats, which claimed the proposed rule could disenfranchise voters.The issue has also triggered legal action, with 23 state attorneys general filing lawsuits to block related executive actions.

Meanwhile, the proposed rule remains open for public comment until July 2, leaving its future uncertain as debate intensifies over the role of USPS in election processes and the limits of federal authority.

The hearing highlighted deep partisan divisions over election security, voter access, and the independence of federal institutions, particularly the Postal Service’s role in handling mail-in ballots.