Us Code § 5401 - Authorization
Full text of Us Code United States Code § 5401 — Authorization, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 5401. Authorization
(a) The Postal Service is authorized to provide for the safe and expeditious transportation of mail by aircraft.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in section 5402 of this title, the Postal Service may make such rules, regulations, and orders consistent with part A of subtitle VII of title 49, or any order, rule, or regulation made by the Secretary of Transportation thereunder, as may be necessary for such transportation.
(Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 772; Pub. L. 98–443, §9(g)(3), Oct. 4, 1984, 98 Stat. 1707; Pub. L. 103–272, §5(k)(3), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1375.)
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1994—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103–272 substituted "part A of subtitle VII" for "sections 1301–1542".
1984—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 98–443 substituted "Secretary of Transportation" for "Civil Aeronautics Board".
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 98–443 effective Jan. 1, 1985, see section 9(v) of Pub. L. 98–443, set out as a note under section 5314 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.
Effective Date
Section effective July 1, 1971, pursuant to Resolution No. 71–9 of the Board of Governors. See section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as a note preceding section 101 of this title.
About This Section
39 U.S.C. § 5401 is part of Title 39 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.
This section may be cited in legal writing as 39 U.S.C. § 5401. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.
How to Read This Statute
Statutes are organized by title, chapter, section, and subsection. Pay attention to words like "shall," "may," "and," and "or," because they determine whether a requirement is mandatory or permissive and whether multiple conditions must all be met. Historical notes and amendments often appear at the end of a section.
Using This Page
This page is intended for research and educational use. Lawyers, students, journalists, and compliance professionals can use it as a starting point, but should always verify the current text through an official government source before relying on it for legal advice, filings, or compliance decisions.