Postal service reports $740 million third-quarter loss, asks Congress for help to rebound
8/9/2013WASHINGTON — The Postal Service says it lost $740 million over the last three months and that without help from Congress its financial woes will only worsen.
The report for the financial quarter ending June 30 comes as Congress considers proposals to fix the agency’s finances. The agency lost $16 billion last year and is trying to restructuring its retail, delivery and mail-processing operations.
The service wants to end most Saturday and door-to-door mail delivery. It also is seeking to reduce its congressionally mandated $5.6 billion annual payment for future retiree health benefits. The agency says ending Saturday mail delivery would save $2 billion each year.
The Postal Service is an independent agency and gets no tax dollars for its day-to-day operations. It is, however, subject to congressional control.