Marketplace All-in-One Should we expect USPS to make money?
Mar 20, 2026
Elizabeth Troval, a reporter on agriculture and energy, explains how the Middle East conflict is pushing up fertilizer and diesel costs for U.S. farmers. Carla Javier, an economic and policy reporter, walks through the U.S. Postal Service's deep financial troubles and the possible fixes and tradeoffs. Short, topical segments cover rising input costs for planting and tough choices about postal finance.
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USPS Losses Are Structural Not Just Temporary
- The USPS faces rising losses driven by universal service costs and falling letter volume.
- Rick Geddes notes six-day delivery and rural routes raise costs while Jim Campbell points to steep declines in letter volume and price caps.
Consider Service Cuts Or Higher Stamps To Stabilize USPS
- The Postal Service and Congress can consider service reductions or price increases to avoid insolvency.
- Postmaster General David Steiner suggested cutting delivery days, closing remote offices, or raising stamp prices above $1.
Profitability Of Postal Service Is A Policy Decision
- Whether USPS must be profitable is a political choice about public services.
- James O'Rourke contrasts USPS with agencies like the Forest Service and Weather Service, saying Congress must decide if it wants a postal service.