An anonymous reader writes An article in the NY Times explains how the United States Postal Service is in serious financial difficulties, and will need emergency measures of Congress to prevent a shutdown later this year. Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe said simply: If Congress doesn ‘t act, we will default. Employment contracts prohibiting layoffs are preventing one of the ways to reduce costs, and laws prohibiting the postage rates of inflation than keep a low income. In addition, the proliferation of e electronic and online bill payment services have contributed to a 22% reduction by mail volume since 2006. They are now hoping for legislation that would ease their economic requirements and is considering an end to the provision of Saturday.