David Steiner

The U.S.

Postal Service is on track to run out of money in about a year if Congress doesn't act.

In about a year from now, the Postal Service would be unable to deliver the mail if we continue the status quo.

Postmaster General David Steiner Tuesday called on lawmakers to lift a decades-old cap and allow the agency to borrow more cash.

If you want the same number of delivery days and post offices, we can do that.

But someone has to pay for it.

If they don't, Steiner says the Postal Service likely won't be able to pay its employees or vendors come February.

Steiner says he wasn't aware of the extent of the service's cash crunch until he took the job.

Service is still not where we expect it to be, nor is it what our customers deserve.

The U.S.

Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars and relies instead on stamp and other service fees to keep running.

And in a new video to postal workers, Postmaster General David Steiner says its financial situation is precarious.

With fewer people and businesses using first-class mail, Steiner says he wants to expand the Postal Service's package delivery service.

USPS is still carrying out a reorganization plan that began under its previous leader, Louis DeJoy.

The plan has led to stamp price increases, plus fewer mail pickups in many rural communities and longer delivery times.

Hansi Luang, NPR News.