The U.S. Postal Service wants Congress to make it easier to cut costs and change the mail delivery schedule, but proposals unveiled this week could place even more restrictions on when, where and how Americans receive their mail.

Senators spent most of the week debating a measure to overhaul the Postal Service by giving it $11 billion to offer buyouts to hundreds of thousands of employees, to eventually end six-day mail delivery — if it is is deemed financially necessary — and to possibly end delivery of mail to door-side mailboxes in favor of more centralized locations. (We wrote on the full details of the overall bill earlier this week.)

Several senators, no longer able to attach earmarks or other home-state perks to legislation, this week fought hard to protect tiny post offices in rural hamlets, and expressed concern about senior citizens who rely on the mail to deliver prescriptions and paper ballots delivered days before Election Day.

Late Thursday, Senate leaders agreed to a list of at least 38 amendments — but aides said the list likely will be shortened to fewer than 20 in time for votes on the amendments and final passage of the bill next Tuesday.

With the Postal Service hemorrhaging money, postal officials say Congress needs to act quickly.

“The Postal Service urgently requires the enactment of comprehensive legislation to return to profitability and long-term financial stability,” said spokesman Dave Partenheimer. “We will continue to work with Congress and the administration to provide the Postal Service with the speed and flexibility to meet the evolving demands of a changing marketplace.”

[Continue Reading @ WashingtonPost.com]