USPS Considers Increasing First-Class Stamps to 95 Cents

Complete Story

03/24/2026

USPS Considers Increasing First-Class Stamps to 95 Cents

Source: Postal Times/Rafael Sanchez-Cruz, March 17, 2026

The head of the U.S. Postal Service says the agency needs to increase the price of first-class mail stamps from 78 cents to as much as 95 cents, as it is projected to run out of cash by early 2027. Usps Stamp

Postmaster General David Steiner warned that by February, employees and vendors could go unpaid.

“We got here because of the drastic reduction in mail volume — from a historic peak of 213 billion pieces per year to 109 billion pieces per year today,” Steiner testified Tuesday before the House Oversight Committee.

Steiner made his case for Congress to increase the $15 billion borrowing cap set in 1990.

“If you applied inflation or based it on revenue, that limit should be $30 billion to $40 billion,” he added.

During his opening statement, Rep. Kweisi Mfume, D-Md., spoke about the gravity of the agency’s financial future.

“We cannot lose the Postal Service as we know it,” he said.

Steiner has considered ideas such as closing remote post offices and reducing service to five days a week. Cutting a delivery day would save the Postal Service $3 billion a year, he said.

Steiner argued that increasing prices would largely offset the predictable losses the agency is experiencing.

Customers in D.C., such as Cameron Crawford, pushed back on the 17-cent increase.

“Honestly, I think it’s a little bit ridiculous," Crawford said. "For me, it’s not that big of a deal when I am shipping one thing at a time, but I know for people who ship in bulk, like some of my friends, it becomes a bigger issue."

Another customer, who identified himself only as John, said he understands why the increase is necessary.

“I think it has to be done. People still mail things. I have items here I can’t send any other way,” John said.

Members of the House Oversight Committee had differing opinions about how to address the agency’s uncertain future.

Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas, suggested “raising revenue, cutting costs and utilizing the capacities and capabilities of private industry.”

Printer-Friendly Version

2026 Print Week Celebrations

Tonight is the final stop on the GMA Print Week "world" tour. During this event, we will recognize the inaugural recipient of the Benjamin Franklin Innovation Award. This award recognizes exceptional leadership and forward-thinking contributions within the printing and graphic communications industry.

AEP Ohio Customers to Face Higher Electric Bills Starting April 1 Amid Rate Adjustment Approval

The increase is tied to a PUCO-approved rider, which allows utilities to recover certain transmission-related costs. While broader demand trends — including growth from large energy users like data centers — are part of long-term planning discussions, filings with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio typically base these adjustments on specific cost-recovery mechanisms rather than generalized “market forces.”

Can Your AI Chat History Be Used Against You in a Lawsuit?

If you or your employees use ChatGPT or other generative artificial intelligence to help during a lawsuit, are the AI chat histories and other archived data fair game during discovery, or are they protected by the attorney-client privilege or work-product doctrine?

Manage Your Reputation With Smart Hiring Practices

The people you hire play a key role in the success and bottom line of your business. Your team often serves as the face of your company, directly shaping public perception. When customers interact with an employee, they may form an opinion about your entire brand.