WASHINGTON, D.C.(DRGNews)- South Dakota U.S. Senator Mike Rounds is continuing his efforts to “restore reliable mail service” in his home state.

Over the past year or so, the United States Postal Service has moved mail processing from some of its small facilities to larger ones.

In a letter emailed to the current Postmaster General, Rounds urged him abide by an agreement signed by his predecessor that sought to restore reliable mail service in South Dakota because customers are facing persistent delays.

Now, Rounds says, items mailed in South Dakota are taken out-of-state to be processed.

Rounds says the challenges facing the U.S. Postal Service aren’t the fault of the employees.

Along with keeping mail that originates within South Dakota from leaving the state for processing, Rounds’ February 2025 agreement with former Postmaster General Louis DeJoy included not only keeping the Dakota Central facility in Huron open, but also making $3 million in improvements at the facility.

USPS is considered essential services so the current government shutdown shouldn’t impact mail services.