US News

Postal Service facing default

WASHINGTON — US Postal Service officials are expected to tell senators today that the organization will go into default, possibly as early as this winter, unless Congress takes action.

Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe wants to lay off at least 120,000 workers and take other drastic measures to close a budget gap projected to reach $9 billion this year.

The USPS says it cannot make a $5.5 billion retiree health-care payment this month and is expected to run out of money to pay workers and other expenses early next year.