With mail volume continuing to drop, the numbers are simply ugly for the U.S. Postal Service, which lost over $3 billion just in the first quarter of this year; Congress though remains at odds over how best to allow for changes to ease that flow of red ink.
The fight over postal reform hits the floor of the Senate this week with a lot of grumbling over the details of a compromise bill that seems headed for approval.
The Postal Service wants to cut mail delivery by one day a week and get rid of hundreds of low volume post offices and postal facilities.
But many in Congress are instead doing all they can to block those changes - that's obvious by some of the amendments up for votes in coming days:
* Manchin amendment to extend the moratorium on the closing and consolidation of postal facilities or post offices, stations, or branches. (#2079)
* McCaskill amendment to prohibit the closing of a rural post office unless certain conditions are met and to establish a moratorium on the closing of rural post offices. (#2031)
* Mikulski amendment to prohibit the United States Postal Service from closing any postal facility without a certification from the Governor of the State in which the postal facility is located. (#2003)
As for dropping Saturday mail delivery, a bill now on the Senate floor from Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) would not allow the Postal Service to make that controversial move, for at least two more years.
"Two more years of studies," groused Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) on the Senate floor.
"That's one of the favorite tactics around here, is more studies."
But Lieberman and others counter that five day per week delivery will undercut the long term viability of the Postal Service and that it should "exhaust all other cost-saving measures first."
One of those is the idea of closing dozens and dozens of post offices and mail delivery facilities - but that is hotly opposed by many on the grounds of job losses and loss of service, especially in rural areas (just look at the amendments mentioned above.)
To look for ways to spur new growth, the Lieberman-Collins bill would allow the Postal Service to ship "beer, wine and distilled spirits."
It would also establish a "Strategic Advisory Commission on Postal Solvency and Innovation to examine costs and revenues, look at alternative business models, and develop a strategic blueprint for the Postal Service."
The plan also creates the job of "Chief Innovation Officer" to come up with new ways to make money at the Postal Service.
But many wonder whether anything can be done to stem the billions of dollars in losses when Americans keep sending fewer and fewer letters in the mail, whether they be personal or business related.
Do you buy as many stamps? Do you pay your bills by letter or on the internet?
Since the answer is 'No' for many of us, Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) will force a vote this week on one plan to chop the number of Post Offices in the U.S. Capitol complex, where there are multiple post offices for lawmakers and staff.
Paul has an amendment that would reduce the number of post offices to just one on the Senate side and one on the House side.
Being a gambling kind of guy, I would have to bet that Paul might not see anything close to a majority.
But they play the games for a reason each Sunday.
