USPS has announced that it will be pushing back its plan to close some post offices and mail processing facilities until May 15, 2012, giving legislators more time to come up with potential solutions to the service's budget woes.

In a statement, USPS said it hoped US lawmakers would use the grace period to figure out how to combat dwindling mail volumes and the organization's serious financial troubles, and noted that it would also continue the review process during this extension.

"The moratorium will give Congress the time it needs to enact comprehensive postal reform to protect universal service while ensuring the postal service will succeed in the 21st century," Senator Bernie Sanders said in a press conference on December 13.

He called for both houses of Congress to debate postal reform legislation, and acknowledged that there would be disagreements. But Sanders said it would provide a chance for the legislators to create a plan that benefited those who rely upon USPS services.

Direct Marketing News notes that USPS has already closed a few of the smaller post offices, but that those moves have only resulted in minor savings.