Each day, the United States Postal Service (USPS) moves more than 170 million letters and packages through its nationwide network. From prescription medications and utility bills to newspapers and personal correspondence, the Postal Service delivers essential materials to households in major metropolitan areas and the most remote rural communities. It also serves as a critical delivery channel for the printing industry, supporting commerce, communications, and information sharing across the country.
Recognizing the central role the postal system plays in American life, a bipartisan group of lawmakers has formed the Congressional Postal Service Caucus. The caucus brings together Democrats and Republicans with a shared goal of strengthening the long-term stability, reliability, and effectiveness of the nation’s mail service.
“Supporting the mail is supporting your constituents,” said Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI), a founding member of the caucus. “If Congress isn’t doing what’s necessary to keep mail moving across the country, then we’re falling short of our responsibility.”
The caucus was launched three years after the enactment of major bipartisan postal reforms and amid growing concern about the Postal Service’s operational and financial outlook. Lawmakers have raised alarms over proposals to close mail processing facilities and persistent challenges with on-time delivery performance.
Those concerns are compounded by the Postal Service’s financial condition. The USPS reported a $9 billion net loss in fiscal year 2025—exceeding initial projections—and has warned of a severe, looming financial crisis. According to reports from late 2025, the agency could run out of cash by mid-2027 without significant improvements in its financial performance. The challenges are driven by declining mail volume, rising operating costs—particularly labor—and an inability to meet profitability targets under its 10-year Delivering for America plan. Postmaster General David Steiner has acknowledged that meaningful administrative and legislative reforms are necessary to stabilize the agency.
“The Postal Service is a critical lifeline for millions of Americans,” said Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), co-chair of the caucus. “It’s one of the most visible services people rely on day in and day out.”
Fellow co-chair Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH) echoed that view, emphasizing the importance of dependable delivery. “So many people rely on the Postal Service to receive payments, packages, and lifesaving medications,” he said. “We need a system that is strong, reliable, and able to meet the needs of every community.”
Through the caucus, lawmakers are advancing legislative efforts to safeguard one of the nation’s oldest public institutions. In 2025, the USPS celebrated its 250th anniversary of providing essential communication services to the nation. Key priorities of the caucus include opposing privatization proposals, supporting the postal workforce, and reinforcing the Postal Service’s mission to provide universal service.
PRINTING United Alliance—a member of the Coalition for a 21st Century Postal Service (C21) and Keep US Posted—has been meeting with members of the Postal Service Caucus to share potential solutions and serve as a resource.
The Alliance supports the USPS SERVES US Act (H.R. 3004) and urges Congress to advance the legislation to help avoid a taxpayer-funded bailout while restoring affordability and reliability. The bill would strengthen the authority of the Postal Regulatory Commission, giving it a clearer mandate to protect the public interest and hold the Postal Service accountable for efficiency and service performance. To lend your support, visit the Alliance’s Advocacy Center to urge your representatives to co-sponsor and pass the USPS SERVES US Act.
The Alliance will continue to collaborate with C21, Keep US Posted, and the Postal Service Caucus to help preserve USPS, the only service that delivers mail and packages to every address in the nation.
In this article, Stephanie Buka, Government Affairs Manager, PRINTING United Alliance, reports on the Congressional Postal Service Caucus. More information can be found at Business Excellence-Legislation or reach out to Steph should you have additional questions specific to how these issues may affect your business: sbuka@printing.org.
To become a member of the Alliance and learn more about how our subject matter experts can assist your company with services and resources such as those mentioned in this article, please contact the Alliance membership team: 888-385-3588 / membership@printing.org.