Reviews electronic-commerce initiatives (ECI) of the USPS. Some have questioned the merits of USPS' development of non-postal products and services, including those that are e-commerce related. The report describes USPS': (1) ECI that have been implemented or are being developed, (2) goals and strategies for the ECI, (3) processes for approving these ECI, and (4) expected performance and results to date related to ECI. Discusses areas where USPS can improve its management of its ECI. Describes USPS' views on how major federal laws and regulations apply to its ECI and identifies legal issues that have been raised concerning its ECI.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) is an independent agency that works for Congress. The GAO watches over Congress, and investigates how the federal government spends taxpayers dollars. The Comptroller General of the United States is the leader of the GAO, and is appointed to a 15-year term by the U.S. President. The GAO wants to support Congress, while at the same time doing right by the citizens of the United States. They audit, investigate, perform analyses, issue legal decisions and report anything that the government is doing. This is one of their reports.