Podcast Summary: What A Day – "USPS Needs Congress' Stamp Of Approval" (April 1, 2026)

Episode Overview

Hosted by Jane Coaston, this episode explores the United States Postal Service’s (USPS) worsening financial crisis—despite being America’s most popular federal agency. Jane dives into how the USPS got into such dire straits, what could happen if it collapses, the role of Congress, and the impact on crucial services like mail-in voting. NPR correspondent Hansi Lo Wang joins to break down the realities, and the show also touches briefly on big current news: the ongoing Iran war, Supreme Court rulings affecting LGBTQ rights, and Trump’s latest fixation with lavish personal projects.

Main Discussion: The USPS Financial Crisis

The Dire Situation ([00:32])

• USPS Is Broke: The Postal Service, a highly popular institution, is facing existential financial troubles. According to Postmaster General David Steiner (from Congressional testimony in March), USPS could run out of cash in less than a year—possibly as soon as October 2026.
  • Quote:
    “At our current rate, we’ll be out of cash in less than 12 months. So in about a year from now the Postal Service would be unable to deliver mail if we continue the status quo.”
    – David Steiner, Postmaster General (via Jane, [01:12])

Why Is the USPS Struggling? ([02:36])

• Self-Funded Model:

  • Unlike most federal agencies, USPS is largely funded by its own revenue (primarily from postage sales and service fees)—not taxpayer appropriations.
  • The shift began with a 1970 law, intended to protect operations from political meddling and historical mismanagement while assuming stable demand ([02:52]-[03:35]).
    • Quote:
      “A law passed in 1970 set up the Postal Service… as an independent agency of the federal branch and for it to ultimately be self funded.”
      – Hansi Lo Wang ([02:56])
  • Reality Check: In 1970, high mail volume was a safe bet. Today, not so much.

• Shrinking Mail Volume:

  • First-class mail volume has dropped by over 50% since 2008 ([01:12]).
  • Revenue cannot keep pace with fixed delivery mandates—especially in rural areas.

• Pre-funding Mandates:

  • The USPS is required to pre-fund retiree pensions and health care, adding further strain ([04:39]-[05:34]).

• Red Ink: Losses at nearly $9 billion per year for the latest fiscal years.

Potential Solutions—and Their Impact ([04:39])

• Menu of Options Proposed by USPS:

  • Raise Postage Rates: Especially for package shipping—an 8% hike for priority mail starting April through January 2027, but not for the Forever Stamp (still 78¢) ([05:34]-[06:34]).
  • Increase Borrowing Cap: The current $15B federal limit, unchanged since the 1990s, could be lifted to allow more flexibility.
  • Reform Employee Benefits: Adjusting costly pension and retiree health plans.
  • Partial Payments: USPS might pay only some obligations (e.g., pensions) to extend operations from October to as late as February 2027 ([07:07]).

• Dependence on Service for Vulnerable Groups:

  • Rural communities and homebound individuals—often dependent on USPS for essentials like medications, communications, and voting—stand to lose the most if service is disrupted.
    • Quote:
      “This is a way that folks get medication. It’s the way people register to vote. It’s the way that people vote. It’s the way they pay the bills...”
      – Hansi Lo Wang ([07:52])

Privatization & Congressional Standoff ([08:30])

• Privatization Unlikely—For Now:
  • Though floated by President Trump and conservatives, bipartisan opposition in Congress is strong, mainly due to fears of higher costs and rural service loss ([08:42]).
    • Quote:
      “There’s bipartisan opposition against privatizing the Postal Service... concern that privatizing… would increase prices, put rural service at risk.”
      – Hansi Lo Wang ([08:54])

Elections & Mail-In Voting Risks ([09:47])

• Mail Delays Threaten Democracy:
  • Ballot delivery timing and postmarks are increasingly variable due to USPS’s “Delivering for America” restructuring.
  • Supreme Court is considering whether states can count ballots that arrive after Election Day—a ruling that could disenfranchise voters if mail delays increase ([10:36]-[11:40]).
    • Pro Tip:
      “If you are planning to vote by mail and you are hitting close to that deadline in your state… stop by a post office and ask for a postmark.”
      – Hansi Lo Wang ([11:26])

Rapid News Recap

The Iran War and Trump ([15:52])

• Trump’s Iran War “Almost Over”:
  • Trump claims the war is ending soon—analysts are skeptical.
  • Robert Malley (Obama’s former Iran deal negotiator) predicts Trump will “declare victory and leave” but warns Iran will likely keep “fighting because it doesn’t have much of a reason to surrender yet.”
    • Quote:
      “I think the most likely outcome still is that President Trump at some point concludes, I’ve achieved enough and I’m risking too much. I’m going to declare victory…”
      – Robert Malley ([16:37])

Supreme Court Ruling on Conversion Therapy ([18:00])

• Ruling Against Ban on Conversion Therapy:
  • SCOTUS strikes down Colorado’s ban on gay conversion therapy for youth, 8-1. Only Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented.
  • Ruling could force other states to lift similar bans ([18:24]).
    • Quote:
      “Republicans replied to that tweet, writing, ‘No’ and adding a heart emoji next to it because they are garbage.”
      – Jane Coaston ([18:54])
  • Decision lands on International Transgender Day of Visibility.

Trump’s White House Projects ([19:24])

• $400 Million Ballroom Stalled:
  • Judge halts Trump’s White House ballroom project pending congressional approval.
• Trump’s Miami Library:
  • Plans unveiled for a gaudy, 47-story presidential library in Miami—a gold-accented skyscraper ([20:27]-[20:46]).
    • Quote:
      “The difference between Trump and those rulers is that Trump wants [a Soviet-style shrine], but he wants to make it gold... the skyscraper would of course be 47 stories tall.”
      – Matt Berg ([20:35])

Highlighted Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On USPS Unpopularity:
  “Donald Trump is currently more unpopular than any US president ever at this point in the presidency. Great job.”
  – Jane Coaston ([00:32])

• On Postal Service’s Unique Role:
  “This is a way that folks get medication... register to vote... It’s a real question of whether or not that service will still be there at some point, given this financial challenge.”
  – Hansi Lo Wang ([07:52])

• On Voting by Mail:
  “If you are planning to vote by mail and you are hitting close to that deadline in your state, if you want to make sure your envelope gets a postmark, stop by a post office and ask for a postmark...”
  – Hansi Lo Wang ([11:26])

• On SCOTUS Conversion Therapy Ruling:
  “Republicans replied to that tweet, writing, ‘No’ and adding a heart emoji... These are repulsive, garbage people.”
  – Jane Coaston ([18:54])

• On Trump’s Miami Library:
  “Trump wants [a Soviet-style shrine], but he wants to make it gold... a giant skyscraper... 47 stories tall.”
  – Matt Berg ([20:35])

Key Timestamps

• USPS financial outlook, history, & reforms ([00:32]–[12:06])
• Mail-in voting and impact on democracy ([09:47]–[12:06])
• The ongoing Iran war and Trump’s role ([15:52]–[17:43])
• Supreme Court and conversion therapy laws ([18:00]–[18:54])
• Trump’s White House ballroom / Miami library ([19:24]–[20:46])

Tone & Style Notes

• Direct, analytical, and laced with dry wit and exasperation (especially from host Jane Coaston).
• Factual with pointed asides on political dysfunction.

Summary Takeaway:
This episode of "What A Day" offers a rich primer on how the USPS ended up on the brink and why the coming months are a crucible for federal services Americans take for granted. It also delivers sharp, timely commentary on U.S. foreign policy and domestic rights, all with Jane Coaston’s trademark blend of substance, urgency, and biting humor.