The United States Postal Service does not cease operations during any Federal lapse in appropriations as it is funded through a permanent no-year appropriation.
In contrast, the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (OIG) receives an annual appropriation which is derived from the Postal Service Fund and not the U.S. Treasury.
If funds are not available to continue operations during a lapse, OIG employees performing activities to protect life or property, including law enforcement activities required to ensure the continuity of investigations and prosecutions of entities/individuals that committed fraud and other crimes against the Postal Service’s programs and operations will continue, on an excepted basis.
Consistent with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidance, ancillary support services will be maintained only to the extent necessary to support excepted operations.
