U.S. Post Office in Need of Assistance

Lawmakers warn it could shut down by June.

In a statement sent to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, two lawmakers noted that the United States Postal Service is “in need of urgent help” and that it “will not survive the summer without immediate help from Congress and the White House.”

“Every community in America relies on the Postal Service to deliver the goods and services, including life-saving medications,” their statement continued. “The Postal Service needs America’s help; and we must answer this call.”

The statement added that people in rural areas could be particularly hurt if service ceases, as they often rely on it to receive medications and other necessities. A shutdown could also mean a delay for those who will be receiving paper stimulus checks.

There is also increasing anxiety among postal carriers who say the USPS isn’t doing enough to protect them from the coronavirus, that they lack gloves and masks to keep them on the job. They also complained about unsanitary conditions in post offices and mail trucks.

The Postal Service said that it’s seen a “devastating” drop in revenue and needs funding from Congress to ensure it can keep delivering letters and packages to millions of Americans currently sheltering at home.

Some Americans are showing their support of the USPS by buying stamps. A recent House-passed stimulus package includes $13 billion for the USPS in bailout funds.

The Postal Service, lawmakers say, is enshrined in the Constitution. Article 1, Section 8 says, “The Congress shall have the power to establish Post Offices and Post Roads.”