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Title 39 — Postal ServiceRelease 119-73not60

§205 Procedures of the Board of Governors

Title 39 › Part I— GENERAL › Chapter 2— ORGANIZATION › § 205

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Board must control Postal Service spending, review its policies and perform other duties the law gives it. If some seats are empty, the Board can still act so long as enough members are present to make a quorum. The Board decides by a majority of those present, and six members present make a quorum for business. Choosing or firing the Postmaster General, or setting pay for the Postmaster General or Deputy, requires a majority of all Governors in office. Picking or removing the Deputy also needs that majority plus the Postmaster General’s favorable vote. No U.S. officer or employee may serve as a Governor, but a Governor may hold other jobs that don’t conflict with the Governor’s duties.

Full Legal Text

Title 39, §205

Postal Service — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)The Board shall direct and control the expenditures and review the practices and policies of the Postal Service, and perform other functions and duties prescribed by this title.
(b)Vacancies in the Board, as long as there are sufficient members to form a quorum, shall not impair the powers of the Board under this title.
(c)The Board shall act upon majority vote of those members who are present, and any 6 members present shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by the Board, except—
(1)that in the appointment or removal of the Postmaster General, and in setting the compensation of the Postmaster General and Deputy Postmaster General, a favorable vote of an absolute majority of the Governors in office shall be required;
(2)that in the appointment or removal of the Deputy Postmaster General, a favorable vote of an absolute majority of the Governors in office and the member serving as Postmaster General shall be required; and
(3)as otherwise provided in this title.
(d)No officer or employee of the United States may serve concurrently as a Governor. A Governor may hold any other office or employment not inconsistent or in conflict with his duties, responsibilities, and powers as an officer of the Government of the United States in the Postal Service.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Subsecs. (a) and (d) effective July 1, 1971, pursuant to Resolution No. 71–9 of the Board of Governors, and subsecs. (b) and (c) effective Aug. 12, 1970. See section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as a note preceding section 101 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

39 U.S.C. § 205

Title 39 — Postal Service

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60