USPS Faces Financial Crisis with Projected $1.95 Billion Loss, Calls for Congressional Intervention
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is experiencing severe financial difficulties, with a projected loss of $1.95 billion for the second quarter of 2026. This marks the fifth consecutive quarterly loss for the agency, which has been operating at a deficit for 19 years. Postmaster General David Steiner has warned that without intervention from Congress, the USPS could run out of cash by early 2027. The agency's borrowing authority is currently capped at $15 billion, a limit that has already been reached. Even if this limit were doubled, it might not be sufficient to cover the projected losses. The USPS has been criticized for its spending habits, with calls for cost-cutting measures that do not compromise universal service and affordability. The agency's operating costs increased by nearly 10% between 2021 and 2025, and productivity has fallen to its lowest levels in history. 
