1. United States
2. Mo.
3. Letter

The proposed executive order to disband the Postal Service's governing board and shift it under the Commerce Department poses a grave threat to this essential public service and its over 600,000 employees. With a staggering $9.5 billion net loss in fiscal 2024 amid declining mail volumes, the agency undoubtedly requires reform - but not at the cost of its independence and service obligations. Disbanding the presidentially-appointed, Senate-confirmed bipartisan board would erode public oversight and accountability. Placing the Postal Service under political control raises valid concerns over potential rate hikes, service reductions, and rural office closures to pursue profitability over public interest. This gambit tests the limits of executive authority over a 250-year institution delivering to 168 million addresses weekly. Urgent action is needed to protect this vital infrastructure from a hostile privatization push that betrays public trust. Reform efforts must retain the Postal Service's autonomy while addressing its financial challenges through pricing flexibility and modernization - not political meddling that jeopardizes affordable universal service. A legal challenge appears imminent from the board against this unconstitutional power grab decimating a lifeline for communities nationwide. The announced resignation of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, who has damaged the USPS during his five-year tenure, adds upheaval to an agency already navigating transition in the digital age.