When Congress returns after the election, it faces a mountain of unfinished business: sequestration, the debt ceiling, ending or extending tax cuts and properly funding the U.S. Postal Service.

Let's first dismiss a universal myth: No tax money is used for the day-to-day operations of the Postal Service. That means it must be self-sustaining.

And it would be ... except that in 2006, Congress approved the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act which, among other things, restricted the post office's ability to raise the price of stamps and required it to fully fund 75 years worth of retiree health benefits within 10 years. That costs the U.S. Postal Service roughly $25 million per day.

Little wonder that the Postal Service failed to make its annual $5.6 billion payment in September. Coupled with last year's missed payment, it brings the losses to more than $15 billion.

Over the past few years, the Postal Service has gutted its ranks. More than 130,000 full-time positions have been eliminated. Future proposals call for an additional 155,000 jobs to be cut back and Saturday delivery to end. Those cuts won't enhance service, they will hurt it. Millions of Americans rely on Saturday delivery. But because of the shackles Congress has placed on the service, Saturday delivery will go the way of the milk man.

In an attempt to recover some of its costs, the Postal Service is hiking the price of a first-class stamp by one penny to 46 cents. It sought Congress' permission to raise the price to 50 cents but was rebuffed by lawmakers. Thus, it had to abide by the law which limited stamp price increases to inflation, which amounts to just 1 penny.

The shame in all of this is that with a few changes, the Postal Service would be flourishing. The service has its defenders in Congress but, faced with an election, many have chosen to sit on their hands rather than voice support for the service.

Congress needs to eliminate the mandate to prefund 75 years worth of retirees' health benefits. The Postal Service is the only agency that is required to do so.

Removing that provision would allow the service to operate fully, to keep branch offices in hard-to-reach places and hire postal workers who not only deliver mail but who also serve as the eyes and ears in communities, alerting health officials and police if mail stacks up or if something appears awry at a residence of business.

Despite competition, the Postal Service continues to provide a necessary service. It has a long history — one that Congress should enhance, not neglect.