1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

I am a voting constituent writing to you regarding the dire financial warning recently issued by Postmaster General David Steiner. As reported by NPR, the United States Postal Service (USPS) is on a trajectory to run out of cash within a year, potentially as early as February 2027. If Congress fails to act, the USPS may be forced to stop deliveries, jeopardizing a vital service that millions of Americans—especially those in rural communities, seniors, and small business owners—rely on every single day. The USPS is a unique federal agency, a service mandated by the Constitution to provide "universal service" to every address in the country. Yet, as Postmaster General Steiner noted, the agency is currently being "thrown an anchor" rather than a life jacket. Despite its mission, the USPS operates under a decades-old $15 billion borrowing cap and is denied the annual federal appropriations that other essential agencies receive. While the USPS has faced significant losses—$9 billion in fiscal year 2025 alone—it is critical that any legislative solution does not come at the expense of the hardworking postal employees who keep this country moving. Recent financial reports indicate that "increases in workers’ compensation and retiree health benefit expenses" have contributed to the current deficit. However, these are not mere "expenses" to be cut; they are the earned compensation and security of a dedicated workforce. I urge you to support legislation that addresses the following: Lifting the Borrowing Cap: Immediately increase or eliminate the $15 billion borrowing limit to provide the liquidity necessary for the USPS to continue operations. Direct Appropriations: Re-evaluate the funding model to provide federal support for the "last-mile" delivery services and universal service mandates that are not commercially profitable but are socially essential. Retirement Funding Reform: Allow the USPS to invest its pension and retiree health benefit funds in more diversified portfolios—beyond just Treasury bills—to ensure the long-term sustainability of these benefits without draining current operational cash. Protecting Workers and Jobs: Reject any proposals that would reduce worker compensation, slash benefits, or eliminate jobs. A robust postal service requires a well-supported workforce. The Postal Service is not a business meant to turn a profit; it is a public infrastructure vital to our national security, our economy, and our democracy. We cannot allow it to fail, nor can we balance its books on the backs of the men and women who deliver our mail through rain, sleet, and snow. I look forward to hearing about the steps you will take to ensure the USPS remains fully funded and its workers fully protected.