What is the USPS?
The United States Postal Services (USPS) is an independent federal agency that provides the nation’s mail services. The business has over 600,000 employees and made more than 70 billion dollars in annual revenue in 2019. The agency is not funded by tax dollars and mainly depends on postage, products and services for operation.
What is happening to the USPS?
Although the Postal Services makes billions of dollars in revenue, its debt has increased. The Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006 set rules and regulations that impacted the USPS. The agency would be responsible for having retirement and healthcare costs for future and present employees. These requirements reportedly put the agency in about $160 million of debt. Less USPS use in recent years has also led to a decrease in revenue. Less mail is sent compared to past years due to the use of email and technology. In 2010 there were 170 billion pieces of mail delivered by the USPS. In 2019, there was around 142.6 billion delivered mail; this shows a decrease of 27.4 billion pieces of delivered mail over the span of a decade. The coronavirus pandemic has also taken its toll on the agency. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Covid-19 can spread from person to person. The virus can also be spread by physical contact to surfaces or objects. Customers are sending out less mail due to concerns over the virus. This decrease in use means less funds to carry out operations.
What is the impact of the USPS’s increasing debt?
The USPS offers service to many citizens in the US like the ability to pay bills and receive prescription medicine. The USPS also plays a role in presidential elections. The accessibility of polling places are limited due to restrictions and concerns over Covid-19. CDC guidelines suggest social distancing of six feet between people to prevent the spread of the virus. With the November 2020 election nearing, the agency is facing more pressure to send and deliver mail-in ballots. Of all the ballots, 70 percent of them are estimated to be cast by mail. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act supplied the USPS with a $10 billion emergency loan. According to the USPS, however, this is not enough to fund the operations for delivering and sending mail-in ballots. The post office predicts there will be a $13 billion decline in revenue due to their First Class mail decline. The House of Representatives has passed a bill, requesting a loan of $25 million for the USPS. This amount of money would enable the USPS to have same-day processing for mail in-ballots. President Trump has voiced his disapproval of providing extra funding for the USPS.
“If we don’t make a deal, that means they don’t get the money. That means they can’t have universal mail-in voting. They just can’t have it,” said Trump in a White House brief on Aug. 13.
Trump has also publicly encouraged Americans to vote in person.
“You know, there’s nothing wrong with getting out and voting,” said Trump.
Northwood junior Caroline Murrel believes that the USPS needs more support during this time. She also thinks that mail-in voting is especially important for this election year.
“The USPS is a service that is essential for many Americans—If this is taken away many Americans will struggle,” says Murrel. “Especially during this election, mail-in voting is important. Many Americans won’t be able to vote in person because of health concerns due to Covid-19.”
How can I help support the USPS?
If you wish to help personally support the USPS, the first thing you can do is your research at www.usps.com. On the site you will find facts and figures about the costs of its operations. You can also order merchandise like stamps, mailing supplies, envelopes, gifts, posters, clothing and even costumes.
Write a letter!
By writing and sending letters or buying stamps, you will be helping to fund the USPS. Send letters to your friends or maybe family. Sending a letter costs 55 cents while postcards cost 35 cents.
You can also bring awareness of the need to support the USPS by posting on social media.
-July Two
