Senator yells 'f---, f---, f---' on live television during DeJoy testimony as Congress still learns how to use video conferencing tech

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Senator yells 'f---, f---, f---' on live television during DeJoy testimony as Congress still learns how to use video conferencing tech
Sen. Tom Carper, Democrat of Delaware.Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call
  • Sen. Tom Carper seemingly thought he was on mute during Friday's virtual Senate hearing for the testimony of US Postmaster General Louis DeJoy.
  • A visibly frustrated Carper can be heard saying 'F---, f---, f---' on live television after struggling with his live stream for the hearing, which was conducted with Cisco's videoconferencing software Webex.
  • DeJoy is in the spotlight after he ordered sweeping changes to the US Postal Service that sparked a national backlash and allegations of disrupting the 2020 presidential election.
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Scores of people have had to adapt to virtual meetings during the pandemic, including US lawmakers.

The US Senate convened for a virtual hearing Friday for the testimony of the United States Postal Service's postmaster general, Louis DeJoy, who is in the spotlight over sweeping changes that will affect mail-in ballots in the upcoming presidential election. As Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) attempted to speak, he appeared to believe he was on mute when he voiced frustrations with the Webex videoconferencing software.

"F---, f---, f---!" Carper can be heard saying. He then called someone in to help with the issue.

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You can watch the video, posted by Polygon editor Russ Frushtick, below.

The senator later posted a tweet, saying few things get him "more fired up than protecting the Postal Service!"

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Lawmakers pressed for the hearing to question DeJoy over the controversy that has erupted recently over his handling of the Postal Service.

DeJoy, a major donor to the Republican Party, announced new operational changes to the agency, which had been struggling well before the COVID-19 pandemic. The changes included limiting how much employees could work overtime as well as getting rid of mail-sorting machines, two factors that would be crucial to process the expected influx of mail-in ballots in the November election. Last week, President Trump admitted that he intended to withhold funding from USPS in order to sabotage mail-in voting.

DeJoy said on Tuesday after pressure that he would suspend major changes until after the election.

You can follow along for live updates on the virtual hearing here.

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