Postmaster General Louis DeJoy described problems and defended the work of the U.S. Postal Service during testimony Wednesday before a House committee in Washington.The postmaster general said fundamental changes are needed to strengthen the postal service.The 11 News I-Team has reported on the complaints from Marylanders about delays in mail and package delivery and the responses from the U.S. Postal Service.Members of the House Oversight and Reform Committee heard from DeJoy directly."There is difficult work that is ahead of us to fix systemic problems that have plagued the postal service," DeJoy said.DeJoy agreed that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic led to a surge in packages during the holiday season. He said he is proud of the dedicated employees who worked tirelessly under the most trying of circumstances."During this peak season, we fell short of meeting our service targets. Too many Americans were left waiting for weeks for important deliveries of mail and packages. This is unacceptable and I apologize to those who felt the impact of our delays," DeJoy said.Maryland U.S. Rep. Kweisi Mfume, D-District 7, did not want the committee to lose sight of the difficulties caused by the delays, including postal customers receiving medications late and others forced to pay extra fees because their bills and payments were delivered late."This is not a Democratic or Republican or Black or white issue. This is an issue about people who expect to have their mail received and delivered on time as has always been the case in this country," Mfume said.Mfume said postal workers are owed a debt of gratitude for handling mail-in ballots during the presidential election.DeJoy also blamed postal problems on years of financial stress, underinvestment, unachievable service standards and a lack of operational service precision. He said the system can't adjust and adapt to changing circumstances. He talked about a 10-year strategy to reinforce the postal service's strengths and address its weaknesses."Above all, my message is the status quo is acceptable to no one because solutions are within reach if we agree to work together," DeJoy said.DeJoy said he will come before the committee again to explain the postal service's strategic plan.