1944 United States presidential election) declined the position in January 1945. In 1971, the Post Office Department was re-organized into the United States Postal Service, an independent agency of the executive branch, and the postmaster general was no longer a member of the Cabinet nor in line of presidential succession. The postmaster general is now appointed by the Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service, appointed by the president with the advice and consent of the Senate. List of postmasters general Under the Continental Congress U.S. Post Office Department, 1789–1971 As non-Cabinet department, 1789–1829 Parties As cabinet department, 1829–1971 Parties U.S. Postal Service, 1971–present See also Postmaster General John Henninger Reagan, the only postmaster general of the Confederate States of America References External links Postmaster General Postmaster General 1775 establishments in the Thirteen Colonies