U.S. Postal Service hits borrowing limit for first time

The financially struggling United States Postal Service has hit its $15 billion borrowing limit for the first time ever, meaning it will have to rely on revenues from stamps and other products to fund operations.

The postal service, which as independent agency of government relies on its own revenue from the sale of stamps and other products rather than taxpayer funds, has lost billions of dollars each quarter as Americans move online to pay bills and communicate.

It hit the limit in September, according to USPS spokesman David Partenheimer.

"We need passage of comprehensive legislation as part of our business plan to return to long-term financial stability," the spokesman said.

Congress left Washington without acting on legislation that might help the agency attain some financial stability. Nearly all legislation is on hold until after the U.S. presidential elections on November 6.

The agency still had enough cash to make a $1.4 billion payment for workers compensation claims due on Monday, Partenheimer added.

(Reporting by Kim Dixon)