Editing United States Postal Service (section)

== Operation and budget ==
[[File:USPS Surplus-Deficit.png|frameless|right|upright=1.5|United States Postal Service surplus/deficit]]
In [[fiscal year]] 2022, the Postal Service had $78.81 billion in revenue and expenses of $79.74 billion. Due to one-time appropriations authorized by the [[Postal Service Reform Act of 2022]], the agency reported a net income of $56.04 billion.<ref name="USPSFY22" /> In the 2023 fiscal year, revenue had increased to $79.32&nbsp;billion, but reported a net loss of $6.48&nbsp;billion.<ref name="USPSFY23" /> In the 2024 fiscal year, revenue increased to $79.53 billion but reported a net loss of $9.5 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 14, 2024 |title=U.S. Postal Service Reports Fiscal Year 2024 Results - Newsroom - About.usps.com |url=https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2024/1114-usps-reports-fiscal-year-2024-results.htm |access-date=February 13, 2025}}</ref>

=== Revenue decline and planned cuts ===

In 2016, the USPS had its fifth straight annual operating loss, in the amount of $5.6&nbsp;billion, of which $5.8&nbsp;billion was the accrual of unpaid mandatory retiree health payments.<ref name=":2">{{cite web|title=United States Postal Service FY2021 Annual Report to Congress|url=https://about.usps.com/what/financials/annual-reports/fy2021.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202062228/https://about.usps.com/who-we-are/financials/annual-reports/fy2016.pdf|archive-date=February 2, 2017|access-date=January 28, 2017|publisher=United States Postal Service}}</ref>

==== Declining mail volume ====
First-class mail volume peaked in 2001 to 103.65 billion declining to 52.62 billion by 2020<ref>{{cite web|url=https://about.usps.com/who-we-are/postal-history/first-class-mail-since-1926.pdf|title=First-Class Mail Volume Since 1926|access-date=July 23, 2018|date=March 2018|publisher=USPS|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723212400/https://about.usps.com/who-we-are/postal-history/first-class-mail-since-1926.pdf|archive-date=July 23, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> due to the increasing use of email and the World Wide Web for correspondence and business transactions.<ref name="amp">{{cite web| url=http://about.usps.com/streamlining-operations/area-mail-processing.htm| title=USPS – Area Mail Processing| publisher=USPS| year=2009| access-date=August 4, 2009| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110923173906/http://about.usps.com/streamlining-operations/area-mail-processing.htm| archive-date=September 23, 2011| url-status=live}}</ref> 
Private courier services, such as [[FedEx]] and [[United Parcel Service]] (UPS), directly compete with USPS for the delivery of packages.

Lower volume means lower revenues to support the fixed commitment to deliver to every address once a day, six days a week. According to an official report on November 15, 2012, the U.S. Postal Service lost $15.9&nbsp;billion its 2012 fiscal year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://about.usps.com/publications/annual-reports/2012/|title=2012 Annual Report to Congress and Comprehensive Statement |website=about.usps.com|language=en|access-date=January 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418071107/http://about.usps.com/publications/annual-reports/2012/|archive-date=April 18, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Internal streamlining and delivery slowdown ====
In response, the USPS has increased productivity each year from 2000 to 2007,<ref name="strategicplanning">{{cite web|url=http://www.usps.com/strategicplanning/cs08/chpt1_pg5.htm |title=Comprehensive Statement on Postal Operations 2008 |publisher=USPS |year=2008 |access-date=August 4, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090508213247/http://www.usps.com/strategicplanning/cs08/chpt1_pg5.htm |archive-date=May 8, 2009}}</ref> through increased automation, route re-optimization, and facility consolidation.<ref name="amp" /> Despite these efforts, the organization saw an $8.5&nbsp;billion budget shortfall in 2010,<ref>McElhatton, Jim [http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/nov/12/postal-service-reports-8-billion-losses/ "Postal Service Reports $8 billion in Losses"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930132830/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/nov/12/postal-service-reports-8-billion-losses/ |date=September 30, 2011}}, ''The Washington Times'', November 12, 2010, accessed August 4, 2011.</ref> and was losing money at a rate of about $3&nbsp;billion per quarter in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nacsonline.com/Magazine/PastIssues/2011/October2011/Pages/Feature3.aspx |title=NACS Magazine {{pipe}} Going Postal |publisher=Nacsonline.com |access-date=July 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030152926/http://www.nacsonline.com/magazine/PastIssues/2011/October2011/Pages/Feature3.aspx |archive-date=October 30, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

On December 5, 2011, the USPS announced it would close more than half of its mail processing centers, eliminate 28,000 jobs and reduce overnight delivery of First-Class Mail. This will close down 252 of its 461 processing centers.<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/us/postal-service-to-delay-cutbacks-until-mid-may-staving-off-bankruptcy/ Postal Service to Delay Cutbacks Until Mid-May, Staving Off Bankruptcy], [[Fox News]]. Accessed: December 13, 2011.</ref> (At peak mail volume in 2006, the USPS operated 673 facilities.<ref name="USPS plan">{{cite web|url=http://about.usps.com/news/electronic-press-kits/our-future-network/assets/pdf/postplan-fact-sheet-120509.pdf|access-date=September 27, 2012|title=Fact Sheet: Modified Network Realignment Plan|author=USPS|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120522160108/http://about.usps.com/news/electronic-press-kits/our-future-network/assets/pdf/postplan-fact-sheet-120509.pdf|archive-date=May 22, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>) As of May 2012, the plan was to start the first round of consolidation in summer 2012, pause from September to December, and begin a second round in February 2014; 80% of first-class mail would still be delivered overnight through the end of 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://about.usps.com/news/national-releases/2012/pr12_058.htm|access-date=September 27, 2012|date=May 17, 2012|title=Postal Service Moves Ahead with Modified Network Consolidation Plan|author=USPS|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003052800/http://about.usps.com/news/national-releases/2012/pr12_058.htm|archive-date=October 3, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> New delivery standards were issued in January 2015, and the majority of single-piece (not presorted) first-class mail is now being delivered in two days instead of one.<ref name="jan2015">{{cite web |url=http://about.usps.com/news/electronic-press-kits/our-future-network/ofn-usps-delivery-standards-and-statistics-fact-sheet.htm |title=USPS Delivery Standards and Statistics fact sheet |publisher=USPS |date=March 23, 2015 |access-date=June 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530091804/http://about.usps.com/news/electronic-press-kits/our-future-network/ofn-usps-delivery-standards-and-statistics-fact-sheet.htm |archive-date=May 30, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> Large commercial mailers can still have first-class mail delivered overnight if delivered directly to a processing center in the early morning, though as of 2014 this represented only 11% of first-class mail.<ref name="jan2015" /> Unsorted first-class mail will continue to be delivered anywhere in the contiguous United States within three days.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://about.usps.com/news/electronic-press-kits/our-future-network/ofn-usps-key-fact-on-network-rationalization.htm |title=Key facts on network rationalization |publisher=USPS |date=March 23, 2015 |access-date=June 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530091855/http://about.usps.com/news/electronic-press-kits/our-future-network/ofn-usps-key-fact-on-network-rationalization.htm |archive-date=May 30, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Post office closures ====

In July 2011, the USPS announced a plan to close about 3,700 small post offices. Various representatives in Congress protested, and the Senate passed a bill that would have kept open all post offices farther than {{convert|10|mile|km}} from the next office.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Sanburn |first=Josh |url=https://business.time.com/2013/04/12/the-post-offices-biggest-problem-isnt-saturday-delivery-its-congress/ |title=Post Office Keeps Saturday Delivery Thanks to Congress |magazine=Time Magazine |date=April 12, 2013 |access-date=June 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525182541/http://business.time.com/2013/04/12/the-post-offices-biggest-problem-isnt-saturday-delivery-its-congress/ |archive-date=May 25, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2012, the service announced it had modified its plan. Instead, rural post offices would remain open with reduced retail hours (some as little as two hours per day) unless there was a community preference for a different option.<ref name="USPS plan" /> In a survey of rural customers, 54% preferred the new plan of retaining rural post offices with reduced hours, 20% preferred the "Village Post Office" replacement (where a nearby private retail store would provide basic mail services with expanded hours), 15% preferred merger with another Post Office, and 11% preferred expanded rural delivery services.<ref name="pr12_054">{{cite web|url=http://about.usps.com/news/national-releases/2012/pr12_054.htm|title=New Strategy to Preserve the Nation's Smallest Post Offices|access-date=September 27, 2012|author=USPS|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008092117/http://about.usps.com/news/national-releases/2012/pr12_054.htm|archive-date=October 8, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2012, USPS reported that approximately 40% of postal revenue comes from online purchases or private retail partners including [[Walmart]], [[Staples Inc.|Staples]], [[Office Depot]], [[Walgreens]], [[Sam's Club]], [[Costco]], and grocery stores.<ref name="pr12_054" /> The [[National Labor Relations Board]] agreed to hear the American Postal Workers Union's arguments that these counters should be staffed by postal employees who earn far more and have "a generous package of health and retirement benefits".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/us-postal-service-workers-staples-staff/story?id=21597291 |title=Unions Angered by Postal Service's Staples Outlets |last1=Hananel |first1=Sam |date=January 19, 2014 |website=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |agency=Associated Press |access-date=January 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140120204828/https://abcnews.go.com/Business/us-postal-service-workers-staples-staff/story?id=21597291 |archive-date=January 20, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/federal-eye/wp/2015/07/08/usps-controversial-deal-with-staples-headed-to-showdown-over-legality/ |title=USPS's controversial deal with Staples headed to showdown over legality |last1=Rein |first1=Lisa |date=July 8, 2015 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=July 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151104143610/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/federal-eye/wp/2015/07/08/usps-controversial-deal-with-staples-headed-to-showdown-over-legality/ |archive-date=November 4, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Elimination of Saturday delivery averted ====
On January 28, 2009, [[United States Postmaster General|Postmaster General]] [[John E. Potter]] testified before the Senate<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hsgac.senate.gov/public/_files/Potter.pdf |title=Postmaster General/CEO John E. Potter Before the Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management |access-date=January 28, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090130020740/http://hsgac.senate.gov/public/_files/Potter.pdf |archive-date=January 30, 2009}}</ref> that, if the Postal Service could not readjust its payment toward the contractually funding earned employee retiree health benefits, as mandated by the Postal Accountability & Enhancement Act of 2006,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usps.com/postallaw/_pdf/PostalServiceNetworkPlan.pdf |title=Postal Accountability & Enhancement Act of 2006 |access-date=February 11, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201150834/http://www.usps.com/postallaw/_pdf/PostalServiceNetworkPlan.pdf |archive-date=December 1, 2008}}</ref> the USPS would be forced to consider cutting delivery to five days per week during June, July, and August.

H.R. 22, addressing this issue, passed the House of Representatives and Senate and was signed into law on September 30, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|title=Text of the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/109/hr22/text|website=www.govtrack.us|publisher=United States Government|access-date=December 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210171057/https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/109/hr22/text|archive-date=December 10, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, Postmaster General Potter continued to advance plans to eliminate Saturday mail delivery.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Memmott |first=Mark |date=March 2, 2010 |title=Would You Miss Saturday Mail Delivery? |language=en |work=[[NPR]] |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2010/03/saturday_mail_disappears_posta.html |access-date=September 9, 2022}}</ref>

On June 10, 2009, the [[National Rural Letter Carriers' Association]] (NRLCA) was contacted for its input on the USPS's current study of the effect of five-day delivery along with developing an implementation plan for a five-day service plan. A team of Postal Service headquarters executives and staff was given a time frame of sixty days to complete the study. The current concept examines the effect of five-day delivery with no business or collections on Saturday, with Post Offices with current Saturday hours remaining open.

On Thursday, April 15, 2010, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform held a hearing to examine the status of the Postal Service and recent reports on short and long-term strategies for the financial viability and stability of the USPS entitled "Continuing to Deliver: An Examination of the Postal Service's Current Financial Crisis and its Future Viability". At which, PMG Potter testified that by 2020, the USPS cumulative losses could exceed $238&nbsp;billion, and that mail volume could drop 15 percent from 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://oversight.house.gov/images/stories/Hearings/Committee_on_Oversight/2010/041510_Postal_Service/TESTIMONY-Potter-USPS.pdf |title=Statement of Postmaster General/CEO John E. Potter Before the Committee on Government on Oversight & Government Reform United States House of Representatives & Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia |access-date=April 15, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100809190908/http://oversight.house.gov/images/stories/Hearings/Committee_on_Oversight/2010/041510_Postal_Service/TESTIMONY-Potter-USPS.pdf |archive-date=August 9, 2010}}</ref>

In February 2013, the USPS announced that in order to save about $2&nbsp;billion per year, Saturday delivery service would be discontinued except for packages, mail-order medicines, Priority Mail, Express Mail, and mail delivered to Post Office boxes, beginning August 10, 2013.<ref name="USPS No Saturday">{{cite web|title=Postal Service Announces New Delivery Schedule|url=http://about.usps.com/news/national-releases/2013/pr13_019.htm|publisher=United States Postal Service|access-date=February 6, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130208165021/http://about.usps.com/news/national-releases/2013/pr13_019.htm|archive-date=February 8, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="CBS end Saturday">{{cite news|title=U.S. Postal Service: Saturday letter delivery to end in August|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-postal-service-saturday-letter-delivery-to-end-in-august/|newspaper=[[CBS News]]|date=February 6, 2013|access-date=January 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102035352/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-postal-service-saturday-letter-delivery-to-end-in-august/|archive-date=January 2, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/postal-service-to-end-saturday-mail-delivery-in-bid-to-cut-costs/|title=Postal Service to end Saturday mail delivery in bid to cut costs|access-date=February 6, 2013|work=[[Fox News]]|date=February 6, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102035352/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/02/06/postal-service-to-cut-saturday-mail-to-trim-costs.html|archive-date=January 2, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the [[Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013]], passed in March, reversed the cuts to Saturday delivery.<ref name="about.usps.com">{{cite web|url=http://about.usps.com/news/national-releases/2013/pr13_0410bogstatement.htm|title=Statement from the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors|date=April 10, 2013|access-date=April 9, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413141257/http://about.usps.com/news/national-releases/2013/pr13_0410bogstatement.htm|archive-date=April 13, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Retirement funding and payment defaults ===
The [[Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act]] of 2006 (PAEA)<ref name="law_text">{{cite web|title=Postal Civil Service Retirement System Funding Reform Act of 2003|url=http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-108publ18/pdf/PLAW-108publ18.pdf|access-date=April 26, 2012|date=April 23, 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101042354/http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-108publ18/pdf/PLAW-108publ18.pdf|archive-date=November 1, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> obligated the USPS to fund the present value of earned retirement obligations (essentially past promises which have not yet come due) within a ten-year time span.<ref>{{cite news |last=Barro |first=Josh |url=http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2012-08-02/understanding-the-post-office-s-benefits-mess |title=Understanding the Post Office's Benefits Mess |newspaper=[[Bloomberg News|Bloomberg]] |publisher=Bloomberg View |date=August 2, 2012 |access-date=June 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525184632/http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2012-08-02/understanding-the-post-office-s-benefits-mess |archive-date=May 25, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[U.S. Office of Personnel Management]] (OPM) is the main bureaucratic organization responsible for the human resources aspect of many federal agencies and their employees. The PAEA created the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefit Fund (PSRHB) after Congress removed the Postal Service contribution to the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS).{{clarify|date=December 2021}}<!-- How does this relate to the FERS? Are some former employees on one system and others on another? --> Most other employees that contribute to the CSRS have 7% deducted from their wages. Currently, all new employees{{which|date=December 2021}}<!-- USPS employees? --> contribute into Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) once they become a full-time regular employees.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.opm.gov/retirement-services/publications-forms/csrsfers-handbook/c030.pdf|title=CSRS|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511195413/http://www.opm.gov/retirement-services/publications-forms/csrsfers-handbook/c030.pdf|archive-date=May 11, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Running low on cash, in order to continue operations unaffected and continue to meet payroll, the USPS defaulted for the first time on a $5.5 billion retirement benefits payment due August 1, 2012, and a $5.6 billion payment due September 30, 2012.<ref name="npr.org"/>

On September 30, 2014, the USPS failed to make a $5.7&nbsp;billion payment on this debt, the fourth such default.<ref name="auto1"/> In 2017, the USPS defaulted on some of the last lump-sum payments required by the 2006 law, though other payments were also still required.<ref name="govexec.com"/>

Proposals to cancel the funding obligation and plan a new schedule for the debt were introduced in Congress as early as 2016.<ref name="auto2"/> A 2019 bill entitled the "USPS Fairness Act", which would have eliminated the pension funding obligation, passed the House but did not proceed further.<ref name="auto"/> As of March 8, 2022, the [[Postal Service Reform Act of 2022]], which includes a section entitled "USPS Fairness Act" cancelling the obligation, has passed both the House and the Senate;<ref>{{cite web |last1=Maloney |first1=Carolyn B. |title=Text – H.R.3076 – 117th Congress (2021–2022): Postal Service Reform Act of 2022 |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/3076/text#toc-HB830A11DFBE64D6BA4B9AF77ABBDBD12 |website=Congress.gov |access-date=March 15, 2022 |date=March 8, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=LeBlanc |first1=Paul |title=What the USPS overhaul bill means for you |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/14/politics/usps-reform-act-explainer/index.html |access-date=March 15, 2022 |work=[[CNN]]|date=March 8, 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315004800/https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/14/politics/usps-reform-act-explainer/index.html |archive-date= March 15, 2022 }}</ref> President [[Joe Biden]] signed the bill into law on April 6, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Durkee |first=Alison |title=Biden Signs Postal Service Reform Bill Into Law—Here's What It Means For Your Mail |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2022/04/06/biden-signs-postal-service-reform-into-law-heres-what-it-means-for-your-mail/ |date=April 6, 2022 |access-date=April 6, 2022 |website=[[Forbes]] |language=en |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220406213855/https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2022/04/06/biden-signs-postal-service-reform-into-law-heres-what-it-means-for-your-mail/|archive-date= April 6, 2022 }}</ref>

=== Rate increases ===
Congress has limited rate increases for First-Class Mail to the cost of inflation, unless approved by the [[Postal Regulatory Commission]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Pence|first=Herbert|title=Congress didn't do US Postal Service any favors|url=http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/opinionperspectives/939126-263/congress-didnt-do-us-postal-service-any.html|access-date=March 25, 2012|newspaper=Nashua Telegraph|date=November 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714125220/http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/opinionperspectives/939126-263/congress-didnt-do-us-postal-service-any.html|archive-date=July 14, 2014|url-status=dead }}</ref> A three-cent surcharge above inflation increased the {{convert|1|oz|abbr=on}} rate to 49¢ in January 2014, but this was approved by the commission for two years only.<ref name="usatoday1">{{cite news |first=Bradley |last=Klapper |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/12/24/usps-stamps-mail-price/4195827/ |title=First-class stamps to cost 49 cents as of Jan. 26 |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |date=December 24, 2013 |access-date=June 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150812110100/http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/12/24/usps-stamps-mail-price/4195827/ |archive-date=August 12, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> As of July 14, 2024 the cost of postage increased to 73 cents for first class mail.<ref name="Notice 123">{{cite web |title=Notice 123 {{!}} Postal Explorer |url=https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/Notice123.htm#_c037 |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=pe.usps.com}}</ref>

=== Reform proposals and delivery changes ===

==== During the Obama administration ====
[[File:USPS Mailbox.jpg|thumb|A USPS Mailbox]]
Comprehensive reform packages considered in the [[113th Congress]] include S.1486<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/senate-bill/1486/text |title=Text – S.1486 – 113th Congress (2013–2014): Postal Reform Act of 2014 |publisher=US Congress |date=July 31, 2014 |access-date=June 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016081958/https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/senate-bill/1486/text |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and H.R.2748.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/2748/text |title=Text – H.R.2748 – 113th Congress (2013–2014): Postal Reform Act of 2013 |publisher=US Congress |date=July 19, 2013 |access-date=June 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016081958/https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/2748/text |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> These include the efficiency measure, supported by Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe<ref>{{cite news |first=Andrew |last=Miga |url=http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/aug/02/usps-suggests-lifting-alcohol-delivery-ban/ |title=USPS suggests lifting alcohol delivery ban |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |date=August 2, 2013 |access-date=June 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525012741/http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/aug/02/usps-suggests-lifting-alcohol-delivery-ban/ |archive-date=May 25, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> of ending door-to-door delivery of mail for some or most of the 35&nbsp;million addresses that currently receive it, replacing that with either curbside boxes or nearby "cluster boxes". This would save $4.5&nbsp;billion per year out of the $30&nbsp;billion delivery budget; door-to-door city delivery costs annually on average $353 per stop, curbside $224, and cluster box $160 (and for rural delivery, $278, $176, and $126, respectively).<ref>{{cite news |last=Liberto |first=Jennifer |url=https://money.cnn.com/2013/07/23/news/economy/postal-home-delivery/index.html?iid=EL |title=Postal Service moving away from at-your-door delivery |publisher=[[CNN]] |date=July 23, 2013 |access-date=June 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016081957/http://money.cnn.com/2013/07/23/news/economy/postal-home-delivery/index.html?iid=EL |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.savethepostoffice.com/postal-service-delivers-last-mile-almost-changing-modes-delivery |title=The Postal Service delivers the last mile, almost: Changing modes of delivery |publisher=Save the Post Office |date=June 10, 2013 |access-date=June 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150615054648/http://www.savethepostoffice.com/postal-service-delivers-last-mile-almost-changing-modes-delivery |archive-date=June 15, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

S.1486,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/206532203/S-1486-Postal-Reform-Act-of-2014 |title=S 1486 – Postal Reform Act of 2014 |publisher=Scribd.com |date=August 1, 2013 |access-date=June 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150609072328/https://www.scribd.com/doc/206532203/S-1486-Postal-Reform-Act-of-2014 |archive-date=June 9, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> also with the support of Postmaster General Donahoe,<ref name="hpo">{{cite news |first=Andrew |last=Miga |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/02/postal-service-alcohol-usps-deliveries_n_3695830.html |title=U.S. Postal Service Wants To Deliver Alcohol To Your Doorstep |work=[[HuffPost]] |date=August 2, 2013 |access-date=June 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150609024846/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/02/postal-service-alcohol-usps-deliveries_n_3695830.html |archive-date=June 9, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> would also allow the USPS to ship alcohol in compliance with state law, from manufacturers to recipients with ID to show they are over 21. This is projected to raise approximately $50&nbsp;million per year.<ref name="hpo" /> (Shipping alcoholic beverages is currently illegal under {{usc|18|1716}}(f).)

In 2014, the Postal Service was requesting reforms to workers' compensation, moving from a pension to defined contribution retirement savings plan, and paying senior retiree health care costs out of [[Medicare (United States)|Medicare]] funds, as is done for private-sector workers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://about.usps.com/news/national-releases/2014/pr14_016.htm |title=U.S. Postal Service Testifies Before Congress Urging Elimination of Unfunded Liabilities |publisher=USPS |date=March 13, 2014 |access-date=June 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150608020201/http://about.usps.com/news/national-releases/2014/pr14_016.htm |archive-date=June 8, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==== During the first Trump administration ====

As part of a June 2018 governmental reorganization plan, the [[First presidency of Donald Trump|Donald Trump administration]] proposed turning USPS into "a private postal operator" which could save costs through measures like delivering mail fewer days per week, or delivering to central locations instead of door to door. There was strong bipartisan opposition to the idea in Congress.<ref name=privatize />

In April 2020, Congress approved a $10 billion loan from the Treasury to the post office. According to ''The Washington Post'', officials under Treasury Secretary [[Steven Mnuchin]] suggested using the loan as leverage to give the Treasury Department more influence on USPS operations, including making them raise their charges for package deliveries, a change long sought by President Trump.<ref name="WaPo_Bogage_20200423">{{cite news |issn=0190-8286 |last1=Bogage |first1=Jacob |last2=Rein |first2=Lisa |title=Trump administration considers leveraging emergency coronavirus loan to force Postal Service changes |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=August 15, 2020 |date=April 23, 2020 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/04/23/10-billion-treasury-loan-usps/ |archive-date=August 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820103232/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/04/23/10-billion-treasury-loan-usps/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

In May 2020, the [[Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service]] appointed [[Louis DeJoy]] as Postmaster General. DeJoy was the first appointee in two decades to come from outside the postal service. Prior to the appointment, he was the founder and [[CEO]] of the logistics and freight company [[XPO Logistics|New Breed Logistics]] and was a major [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] donor and fundraiser for [[Donald Trump]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=DeJoy donated nearly $700,000 to Trump's convention, new filings show|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/10/10/politics/louis-dejoy-trump-rnc-donation/index.html|access-date=2020-10-10|website=[[CNN]] NEWS|date=October 10, 2020|language=en|archive-date=April 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424120605/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/10/10/politics/louis-dejoy-trump-rnc-donation/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

DeJoy immediately began taking measures to reduce costs, such as banning overtime and extra trips to deliver mail.<ref>{{cite web|last=Katz|first=Eric|date=July 20, 2020|title=Looking to Cut Costs, New USPS Leader Takes Aim at Overtime and Late Trips|url=https://www.govexec.com/pay-benefits/2020/07/looking-cut-costs-new-usps-leader-takes-aim-overtime-and-late-trips/166917/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727174300/https://www.govexec.com/pay-benefits/2020/07/looking-cut-costs-new-usps-leader-takes-aim-overtime-and-late-trips/166917/|archive-date=July 27, 2020 |access-date=July 27, 2020|website=Government Executive|language=en}}</ref><ref name="NYT_Broadwater_20200815">{{cite news |issn=0362-4331 |last1=Broadwater |first1=Luke |last2=Healy |first2=Jack |last3=Shear |first3=Michael D. |last4=Fuchs |first4=Hailey |title=Postal Crisis Ripples Across Nation as Election Looms |work=The New York Times |access-date=August 15, 2020 |date=August 15, 2020 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/15/us/post-office-vote-by-mail.html |archive-date=August 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816201415/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/15/us/post-office-vote-by-mail.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WaPo_Bogage_20200714">{{cite news |issn=0190-8286 |last=Bogage |first=Jacob |title=Postal Service memos detail 'difficult' changes, including slower mail delivery |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=August 15, 2020 |date=July 14, 2020 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/07/14/postal-service-trump-dejoy-delay-mail/ |archive-date=August 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814145955/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/07/14/postal-service-trump-dejoy-delay-mail/ |url-status=live}}</ref> While DeJoy admitted that these measures were causing [[2020 United States Postal Service crisis|delays in mail delivery]], he said they would eventually improve service.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Gardner |first1=Amy|last2=Dawsey|first2=Josh|last3=Kane|first3=Paul|date=August 13, 2020|title=Trump opposes election aid for states and Postal Service bailout, threatening Nov. 3 vote|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-mail-voting/2020/08/13/3eb9ac62-dd70-11ea-809e-b8be57ba616e_story.html?|access-date=August 14, 2020|archive-date=August 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816204722/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-mail-voting/2020/08/13/3eb9ac62-dd70-11ea-809e-b8be57ba616e_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

More than 600 high-speed mail sorting machines were scheduled to be dismantled and removed from postal facilities,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/n7wk9z/the-post-office-is-deactivating-mail-sorting-machines-ahead-of-the-election|title=The Post Office Is Deactivating Mail Sorting Machines Ahead of the Election|last=Gordon|first=Aaron|date=August 13, 2020|work=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]|access-date=August 14, 2020|archive-date=August 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816131447/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/n7wk9z/the-post-office-is-deactivating-mail-sorting-machines-ahead-of-the-election|url-status=live}}</ref> raising concerns that mailed ballots for the [[2020 United States presidential election|November 3 election]] might not reach election offices on time.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/08/13/us-postal-service-whats-going-post-office-what-we-know/3360565001/|title=What's going on with the post office? Here's what we know|last=Behrmann|first=Savannah|date=August 13, 2020|work=[[USA Today]]|access-date=August 14, 2020|archive-date=August 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815164407/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/08/13/us-postal-service-whats-going-post-office-what-we-know/3360565001/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Mail collection boxes were removed from the streets in many cities; after photos of boxes being removed were spread on social media, a postal service spokesman said they were being moved to higher traffic areas but that the removals would stop until after the election.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/08/14/people-are-freaking-out-about-mailbox-removals-postal-service-says-its-routine/|title=Postal Service will stop removing mailboxes|last=Bogage|first=Jacob|date=August 14, 2020|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=August 15, 2020|archive-date=August 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816202417/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/08/14/people-are-freaking-out-about-mailbox-removals-postal-service-says-its-routine/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The inspector general for the postal service opened an investigation into the recent changes.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-postal-service-inspector-general-investigating-changes-post-offices/|title=U.S. Postal Service inspector general is investigating changes at post offices|last=Segers|first=Grace|date=August 15, 2020|work=[[CBS News]]|access-date=August 15, 2020|archive-date=August 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815160222/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-postal-service-inspector-general-investigating-changes-post-offices/|url-status=live}}</ref> On August 16 the House of Representatives was called back from its summer recess to consider a bill rolling back all of the changes.<ref name=Pelosi>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/16/us/politics/coronavirus-postal-service-stimulus-bill.html|title=Pelosi to Recall House for Postal Service Vote as Democrats Press for DeJoy to Testify|last1=Cochrane|first1=Emily|last2=Edmondson|first2=Catie|date=August 16, 2020|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=August 17, 2020|archive-date=August 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817005620/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/16/us/politics/coronavirus-postal-service-stimulus-bill.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On August 18, 2020, after days of heavy criticism and the day after lawsuits against the Postal Service and DeJoy personally were filed in federal court by several individuals,<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Wallace|first1=Danielle|last2=Mears|first2=Bill|date=August 17, 2020|title=First in expected flood of lawsuits against USPS, Trump filed in NY federal court|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/postal-service-usps-lawsuit-dejoy-testify-congress|access-date=August 17, 2020|work=[[Fox News]]|language=en-US|archive-date=August 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817220726/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/postal-service-usps-lawsuit-dejoy-testify-congress|url-status=live}}</ref> DeJoy announced that he would roll back all the changes until after the November election. He said he would reinstate overtime hours, roll back service reductions, and halt the removal of mail-sorting machines and collection boxes.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/senate-will-hold-postal-service-hearing-with-dejoy-on-friday-as-mail-delay-fears-grow/2020/08/18/5f978e76-e14f-11ea-8dd2-d07812bf00f7_story.html|title=Postmaster general announces he is 'suspending' policies that were blamed for causing mail delays|last=Bogage|first=Jacob|date=August 18, 2020|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=August 18, 2020|archive-date=August 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818190834/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/senate-will-hold-postal-service-hearing-with-dejoy-on-friday-as-mail-delay-fears-grow/2020/08/18/5f978e76-e14f-11ea-8dd2-d07812bf00f7_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> However, 95 percent of the mail sorting machines that were planned for removal had already been removed,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Gordon|first=Aaron|date=August 19, 2020|title=DeJoy's USPS Policy Rollbacks Don't Appear to Change Much|url=https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/xg8kwk/usps-policy-change-rollbacks-postmaster-general-dejoy|access-date=August 20, 2020|work=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]|language=en|archive-date=August 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819235129/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/xg8kwk/usps-policy-change-rollbacks-postmaster-general-dejoy|url-status=live}}</ref> and according to [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|House Speaker]] [[Nancy Pelosi]], DeJoy said he has no intention of replacing them or the mail collection boxes.<ref>{{cite web|last=Pelosi|first=Nancy|date=August 19, 2020|title=Earlier today, I spoke with Postmaster General DeJoy regarding his alleged pause in operational changes. During our conversation, he admitted he has no intention of replacing the sorting machines, blue mailboxes and other infrastructure that have been removed.|url=https://twitter.com/speakerpelosi/status/1296148989646188546|access-date=August 20, 2020|website=[[Twitter]]|language=en|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116050901/https://twitter.com/speakerpelosi/status/1296148989646188546|url-status=live}}</ref>

On December 27, 2020, the [[Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021|Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021]] forgave the previous $10 billion loan.<ref>{{cite news |date=December 21, 2020 |title=Highlights of $900 billion COVID-19 relief, wrapup bills |url=https://apnews.com/article/health-care-reform-health-legislation-coronavirus-pandemic-762f84e4da11d350d8b5be5680ab01c4 |url-status=live |work=[[The Associated Press]] |location= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120152122/https://apnews.com/article/health-care-reform-health-legislation-coronavirus-pandemic-762f84e4da11d350d8b5be5680ab01c4 |archive-date=November 20, 2021 |access-date=April 13, 2022}}</ref>

=== Coronavirus pandemic and voting by mail ===
{{See also|2020 United States Postal Service crisis}}

Voting by mail has become an increasingly common practice in the United States, with 25% of voters nationwide mailing their ballots in 2016 and 2018. The [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|coronavirus pandemic]] of 2020 was predicted to cause a large increase in mail voting because of the possible danger of congregating at polling places.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/todaysdebate/2020/06/15/coronavirus-pandemic-makes-mail-voting-even-more-important-editorials-debates/5336826002/|title=Coronavirus makes voting by mail even more important|date=June 15, 2020|work=[[USA Today]]|access-date=August 14, 2020|archive-date=August 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816135016/https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/todaysdebate/2020/06/15/coronavirus-pandemic-makes-mail-voting-even-more-important-editorials-debates/5336826002/|url-status=live}}</ref> For the 2020 election, a state-by-state analysis concluded that 76% of Americans were eligible to vote by mail in 2020, a record number. The analysis predicted that 80 million ballots could be cast by mail in 2020 – more than double the number in 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/08/11/us/politics/vote-by-mail-us-states.html|title=A Record 76% of Americans Can Vote by Mail in 2020|date=August 14, 2020|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=August 14, 2020|archive-date=August 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816185758/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/08/11/us/politics/vote-by-mail-us-states.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Postal Service sent letters to 46 states in July 2020, warning that the service might not be able to meet each state's deadlines for requesting and casting last-minute absentee ballots.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/usps-warns-46-states-cannot-guarantee-mail-in-ballots-will-arrive-in-time-for-election|title=USPS warns 46 states it cannot guarantee mail-in ballots will arrive in time for election|last=Phillips|first=Morgan|date=August 14, 2020|work=[[Fox News]]|access-date=August 15, 2020|archive-date=August 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816235657/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/usps-warns-46-states-cannot-guarantee-mail-in-ballots-will-arrive-in-time-for-election|url-status=live}}</ref> The House of Representatives voted to include an emergency grant of $25 billion to the post office to facilitate the predicted flood of mail ballots,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/08/13/902109991/trump-admits-to-opposing-funding-for-postal-service-to-block-more-voting-by-mail|title=Trump Opposes Postal Service Funding But Says He'd Sign Bill Including It|last=Sprunt|first=Barbara|date=August 13, 2020|work=[[NPR]]|access-date=August 14, 2020|archive-date=August 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823073156/https://www.npr.org/2020/08/13/902109991/trump-admits-to-opposing-funding-for-postal-service-to-block-more-voting-by-mail|url-status=live}}</ref> but the bill never reached the Senate floor for a vote.<ref name=USCongress20>{{cite web |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/4174 |title=S.4174 – Postal Service Emergency Assistance Act |date=July 2, 2020 |website=Congress.gov |access-date=December 6, 2021}}</ref><ref name=TCI21>{{cite news |last=Mazzenga |first=David |date=January 22, 2021 |title=Commissioners seek remedy to postal delays |url=https://www.tricountyindependent.com/story/news/2021/01/22/county-officials-ask-congress-solve-mail-delay/4173065001/ |work=Tri-County Independent |access-date=March 2, 2023}}</ref>

A March 2021 report from the Postal Service's inspector general found that the vast majority of mail-in ballots and registration materials in the 2020 election were delivered to the relevant authorities on time.<ref name=NPR21>{{cite news |last=Naylor |first=Brian |date=March 9, 2021 |title=Postal Service Delivered Vast Majority Of Mail Ballots On Time, Report Finds |url=https://www.npr.org/2021/03/09/975198962/postal-service-delivered-vast-majority-of-mail-ballots-on-time-report-finds |work=[[NPR]] |access-date=December 5, 2022}}</ref><ref name=USPS21>{{cite web |url=https://www.uspsoig.gov/sites/default/files/document-library-files/2021/20-318-R21.pdf |title=Service Performance of Election and Political Mail During the November 2020 General Election |date=March 5, 2021 |website=USPS Office of Inspector General |access-date=December 5, 2022 |archive-date=December 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208214155/https://www.uspsoig.gov/sites/default/files/document-library-files/2021/20-318-R21.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref> The Postal Service handled approximately 135 million pieces of election-related mail between September 1 and November 3, delivering 97.9% of ballots from voters to election officials within three days, and 99.89% of ballots within seven days.<ref name=NPR21/><ref name=AP22>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s)/no by-line.--> |date=July 28, 2022 |title=New USPS election division will oversee mail-in ballots |url=https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-united-states-presidential-election-2020-294f320df8a6ff9451888ae2778b1a06 |work=[[Associated Press]] |access-date=December 5, 2022}}</ref>

====COVID-19 test kits to Americans====
{{ main | COVIDtests.gov }}

Postmaster General DeJoy helped the USPS deliver approximately 380 million home test kits from January 2022 through May 2022.<ref name="Time23">{{cite news |last=Cortelessa |first=Eric |date=March 16, 2023 |title=Louis DeJoy's Surprising Second Act |url=https://time.com/6263424/louis-dejoy-trump-election-postal-reform/ |work=Time Magazine |access-date=May 29, 2024}}</ref><ref name=FNN22>{{cite news |last=Heckman |first=Jory |date=May 30, 2022 |title=How USPS pulled off delivering 380 million COVID-19 tests |url=https://federalnewsnetwork.com/workforce/2022/05/we-rocked-it-how-usps-pulled-off-delivering-380-million-covid-19-tests/ |work=Federal News Network |access-date=May 29, 2024}}</ref> As of March 2024, when the program concluded, the USPS had delivered over 1.8 billion free COVID-19 test kits.<ref name=Hauari>{{Cite news| last = Hauari| first = Gabe| title = Free COVID tests: Why you can no longer order through government program via USPS delivery| work = USA Today| date = March 8, 2024| url = https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2024/03/08/covid-test-kits-free-government-program-usps-ends/72893381007/ |access-date=May 29, 2024}}</ref>

In September 2024, the distribution of free at-home COVID-19 tests was re-started.<ref>
{{cite news |last=Tyko |first=Kelly
|url=https://www.axios.com/2024/08/23/free-covid-test-kits-return-september-2024-usps
|title=Free at-home COVID test program to resume in September |work=[[Axios (website)|Axios]] |date=2024-08-23 |access-date=2024-08-23
}}
</ref><ref>
[https://special.usps.com/testkits "Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests"].
</ref>

=== Delivering for America reform plan ===
In March 2021, the Postal Service launched a 10-year reform plan called Delivering for America, intended to improve the agency's financial stability, service reliability, and operational efficiency.<ref name="Yahoo23">{{cite news |last=Coleman |first=Kali |date=January 18, 2023 |title=USPS Is Making Even More Changes to Your Mail, as of Sunday |url=https://www.yahoo.com/now/usps-making-even-more-changes-214631927.html |access-date=March 22, 2023 |work=Yahoo |archive-date=January 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122000349/https://www.yahoo.com/now/usps-making-even-more-changes-214631927.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="LocalNBC21">{{cite news |last=Wilkerson |first=Rachel |date=March 24, 2021 |title=United States Postal Service to implement changes |url=https://mynbc15.com/news/local/united-states-postal-service-to-implement-changes |access-date=March 22, 2023 |work=WPMI}}</ref> The plan includes $40 billion in investments meant to improve USPS technology and facilities.<ref name="PPTI23Investment">{{cite news |last=Baker |first=Elizabeth |date=September 20, 2023 |title=USPS to hire 10,000 seasonal employees to prepare for the holidays |url=https://www.parcelandpostaltechnologyinternational.com/news/operations/usps-to-hire-10000-seasonal-employees-to-prepare-for-the-holidays.html |access-date=September 25, 2023 |work=Parcel & Postal Technology International}}</ref> In April 2022, the [[Postal Service Reform Act of 2022]] was signed into law.<ref name="Time23" /> It lifted financial burdens placed on the USPS by the 2006 [[Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act]].<ref name="USAToday22PSRA">{{cite news |last=Lee |first=Ella |date=April 6, 2022 |title=USPS gets a financial overhaul: Here's what we know about the Postal Service Reform Act |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2022/04/06/usps-reform-act-what-to-know/9482162002/ |access-date=October 11, 2023 |work=USA Today}}</ref>

As part of Delivering for America, the Postal Service has introduced three new parcel shipping offerings: USPS Connect in June 2022,<ref name="DCN22">{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Erica |date=April 12, 2022 |title=U.S. Postal Service rolls out USPS Connect in Georgia |url=https://www.dawsonnews.com/news/business/us-postal-service-rolls-out-usps-connect-georgia-expands-next-day-delivery-options-businesses/ |access-date=March 22, 2023 |work=Dawson County News}}</ref> USPS Ground Advantage in July 2023,<ref name="PPTI23">{{cite news |last=Baker |first=Elizabeth |date=July 19, 2023 |title=USPS launches Ground Advantage shipping offering |url=https://www.parcelandpostaltechnologyinternational.com/news/delivery/usps-launches-ground-advantage-shipping-offering.html |access-date=July 19, 2023 |work=Parcel And Postal Technology International}}</ref> and Priority Next Day in March 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=USPS Priority Next Day launches in 54 markets {{!}} Supply Chain Dive |url=https://www.supplychaindive.com/news/usps-priority-next-day-launches-in-54-markets/741290/ |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=www.supplychaindive.com |language=en-US}}</ref> It has also installed 348 new package sorting machines within its facilities.<ref name="PPTI23Investment" /> As of September 2023, the Postal Service is able to process approximately 70 million packages per day,<ref name="PPTI23Investment" /> up from 53 million in 2021,<ref name="DCVelocityFrantz">{{cite news |last=Frantz |first=Gary |date=November 1, 2022 |title=Shippers back in the driver's seat as parcel market growth softens |url=https://www.dcvelocity.com/articles/55864-shippers-back-in-the-drivers-seat-as-parcel-market-growth-softens |access-date=September 20, 2023 |work=DC Velocity}}</ref> and 60 million in 2022.<ref name="Reuters23">{{cite news |last=Shepardson |first=David |date=April 27, 2023 |title=U.S. Postal Service shrinks forecast losses as it raises prices |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/us-postal-service-shrinks-forecast-losses-it-hikes-prices-2023-04-27/ |access-date=May 22, 2023 |work=Reuters}}</ref>

The USPS announced in July 2022 that it would be building 60 new regional processing and distribution centers in order to replace smaller, redundant facilities.<ref name="GovExec22">{{cite news |last=Katz |first=Eric |date=July 5, 2022 |title=This Is Where USPS Is Building Out Its First Mega-Centers This Year |url=https://www.govexec.com/management/2022/07/see-where-usps-building-out-its-first-mega-centers-year/368961 |access-date=March 22, 2023 |work=Government Executive}}</ref> One of the first of these facilities, a 700,000-square-foot building in [[Gastonia, North Carolina]], opened in November 2023.<ref name="CharlotteObserver23">{{cite news |last1=Muccigrosso |first1=Catherine |last2=Nikouyeh |first2=Khadejeh |date=November 14, 2023 |title=USPS opens one of the first mega-regional distribution centers near Charlotte |url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article281350673.html |access-date=November 14, 2023 |work=Charlotte Observer}}</ref>

In an effort to stabilize its workforce, the Postal Service converted 150,000 of its pre-career workers into full-time employees between October 2020 and September 2023.<ref name="PPTI23Investment" /><ref name="FNNConversion">{{cite news |last=Heckman |first=Jory |date=September 19, 2023 |title=USPS ends peak holiday surcharge as it cuts year-end demand for temporary hires |url=https://federalnewsnetwork.com/hiring-retention/2023/09/usps-ends-peak-holiday-surcharge-as-it-cuts-year-end-demand-for-temporary-hires/ |access-date=September 19, 2023 |work=Federal News Network}}</ref>

Delivering for America has attempted to stabilize the Postal Service's finances by adjusting service times for mail and package delivery.<ref name="NPRServiceTimes">{{cite news |last=Chappell |first=Bill |date=April 21, 2022 |title=Why your USPS mail package delivery is about to get slower |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/04/21/1094011233/mail-usps-slower-packages |access-date=November 13, 2023 |work=National Public Radio}}</ref> In 2020, the [[Postal Regulatory Commission]] gave the Postal Service increased authority to raise postage rates in order to cover its operating costs.<ref name="GoveExecPRCruling">{{cite news |last=Katz |first=Eric |date=November 30, 2020 |title=Regulator Finalizes Plan to Enable Larger USPS Rate Hikes |url=https://www.govexec.com/management/2020/11/regulator-finalizes-plan-enable-larger-usps-rate-hikes/170371/ |access-date=November 13, 2023 |work=GovExec}}</ref>  Between 2021 and 2023, USPS has raised the postage rate four times.<ref name="CBSRateHikes">{{cite news |last=Picchi |first=Aimee |date=October 9, 2023 |title=USPS proposes 5th postage hike since 2021 — a move critics call "unprecedented" |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/usps-postage-rate-hike-january-2024-unprecedented/ |access-date=October 23, 2023 |work=CBS News}}</ref> In May 2023, USPS reported a $2.5 billion loss over the year's first quarter, with approximately $500 million of that figure related to costs within the agency's control.<ref name="GocExecQ123">{{cite news |last=Katz |first=Eric |date=May 10, 2023 |title=DeJoy Promises His USPS Plan Will Still Deliver, Despite Disappointing Numbers So Far |url=https://www.govexec.com/management/2023/05/dejoy-promises-his-usps-plan-will-still-deliver-despite-disappointing-numbers-so-far/386192/ |access-date=October 23, 2023 |work=GovExec}}</ref> It also reported that its projected ten-year losses had been reduced from $160 billion to $70 billion.<ref name="FNNLossesCut">{{cite news |last=Heckman |first=Jory |date=May 25, 2023 |title=DeJoy rebuffs USPS regulator considering more 'proactive' role in postal oversight |url=https://federalnewsnetwork.com/workforce/2023/05/dejoy-rebuffs-usps-regulator-looking-into-agencys-dramatic-changes-to-cut-costs/ |access-date=October 23, 2023 |work=Federal News Network}}</ref>

In February 2025, the Postal Service announced new service standards for first-class mail, periodicals, marketing mail, and package services. These new standards, which include allowing postal workers to travel a greater distance for deliveries and replacing three-digit regional zip code add-ons with five-digit ones, are intended to improve delivery network reliability and save the agency approximately $36 billion between 2025 and 2035.<ref>{{cite news |last=Shepardson |first=David |date=February 26, 2025 |title=US Postal Service adopts new service standards to save $36 billion over 10 years |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-postal-service-adopts-new-service-standards-save-36-billion-over-10-years-2025-02-26/ |access-date=March 4, 2025 |work=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Higham |first=Aliss |date=February 27, 2025 |title=USPS Announces Changes To First-Class Mail, Other Services |url=https://www.newsweek.com/usps-changes-first-class-mail-services-36-billion-savings-10-years-donald-trump-2037058 |access-date=March 4, 2025 |work=Newsweek}}</ref>