The United States Postal Service faces a potential financial crisis that could force it to halt operations within a year, Postmaster General David Steiner warned during congressional testimony Tuesday.

Steiner testified before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee about the agency's deteriorating financial condition. He previously warned this month that the Postal Service could run out of money by 2027 without congressional intervention.

The postal service's financial troubles stem from declining mail volume as consumers and businesses increasingly shift to digital communications. The agency also faces what it describes as burdensome regulatory requirements that limit its ability to adapt to changing market conditions.

Steiner, a former Waste Management official who leads the postal service, emphasized the urgent need for congressional action to address the funding shortfall. The warning comes as the USPS continues to grapple with operational challenges and mounting financial pressures.

The House committee hearing focused on oversight of the Postal Service and its long-term financial sustainability. The agency's potential cash shortage represents a significant challenge for mail delivery services that millions of Americans rely on for essential communications and package deliveries.

Without congressional action, the Postal Service may be forced to consider drastic measures, including potential service reductions or suspensions, to address its financial crisis.