The United States Postal Service is set to transition into the Commerce Department. For years prior to this decision, the Postal Service has experienced loss across various regions.
In 2024, USPS had a net loss of $9.5 billion, making budget deficits only one of the ongoing issues. Due to the rise of digital communication, USPS has also seen a decline in first-class mail volume.
“I would hope people don’t lose trust in the post office because we are dedicated to taking care of our customers no matter who controls the postal service.” – Kenny Nash, USPS Covington Office Supervisor
By placing the USPS under the command of the Commerce Department, officials believe they can expand the agency’s ability to meet the customers needs and keep up with a fast pace and evolving economy.
Currently, USPS employees are forbidden from striking. This happened because of the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970, which was approved after labor actions had taken place and had caused a halt in mail delivery.
If the USPS follows into the current path of privatization, this restriction would be dropped, allowing postal workers the opportunity to participate in labor actions which could potentially lead to another halt in the mail delivery process.
Kenny Nash, a supervisor at the USPS office in Covington, attempted to reassure customers. “This will not affect daily operations,” he said.”We will be the same and we are still going to take care of our customers.”
Carl Cavalli, a University of North Georgia political science professor, discussed the broader structure of the transition. “There probably will not be much of a difference immediately,” he said. “Their is a requirement to be politically balanced and not run the postal service under direct influence of anyone. Congress has the power to create post offices and postal roads and this transition can’t be done without congressional approval.”
There could also be a leading shift in urban versus rural areas. Urban areas garnish more worth rather than rural areas, which cost more money to deliver to. With the Trump administration trying to save money and making cost cuts, people living and delivering to rural areas could potentially be affected in long term circumstances.
Cavalli commented on the impact of this change on rural areas, saying it is going to be hard to keep a positive outcome. “Americans that rely on the USPS could be the ones that are affected the most by this privatization,” he said.
With the constitutional requirements in place, it is not likely that the USPS sees any harsh changes in the near future.
“It would take a constitutional amendment for the President to move control to the commerce department and congress can still jump in and say they have the power,” Cavalli said. “If the USPS does undergo changes, I would foresee the post office becoming another package delivery service that competes with other services like Fedex.”
