Also, the White House has another opportunity later this month to stake out its position on the raise by using its authority to recommend an alternative to the figure being considered in Congress, possibly by again advocating 2.6 percent. In a recent message to Congress, the administration called the 2.6 percent figure is “both reasonable and responsible.” As a practical matter, the final word on the raise likely will come as part of final passage of the Treasury-Postal bill in the autumn regardless of whether the White House formally proposes 2.6 percent as an alternative raise.