Executive Departments

Cabinet Departments15 DepartmentsFirst cabinet had three department secretaries, State, Treasury, and War – Also the Attorney GeneralEach department specializes in a certain aspect of the federal governmentEach department has a secretary that heads or runs itThe only exception is the Attorney General who heads the Department of Justice

SubunitsEach department has specialized subunits that answer to the head of that departmentExample: Department of Justice

• Terrorism and Violent Crime Section• Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Section

Most departments have offices in areas other than Washington DCExample: Veterans Health Administration

173 medical centers and over 300 outpatient clinics

The President’s Cabinet

Advisory bodyNot mentioned in the ConstitutionIt has evolved through custom and traditionVice President usually is a part of the cabinet meetings

How are Cabinet Member Chosen?

The President nominates a candidate

The Senate holds hearings and questions the candidate

They can reject or approve the candidateWith Senate approval the candidate is sworn in and becomes the Secretary or Attorney General

What does the President look for?

Same political partyParty loyaltyProfessional qualifications and practical experienceChooses from different regions to balance out the cabinetGender and race – increasingly appoint a varied cabinetManagement ability and experience

Women and Minorities in the Cabinet

FDR appointed the first women – Frances Perkins as Secretary of LaborLyndon Johnson appointed the first African American – Robert Weaver –HUDGerald Ford – first combination: Carla Hills (HUD) and African American, William Coleman (Sec. of Transportation)Jimmy Carter – first African American woman – Patricia Harris – HUD and later Health and Human Services

Ronald Reagan: First Hispanic Lauro Cavazos – Sec. of EducationWilliam Clinton: over 8 years in office:

Five women, six African Americans, four Hispanics, and the first Asian American – Norman Mineta – Sec. of Commerce

George W. Bush: over 8 years in office

Four African Americans, six women including the first Chinese American, Elaine Chao (Sec. of Labor), two Hispanics, and retained a Democrat Norman Mineta as Secretary of Transportation

What does the Cabinet do?Administers their departmentsAdvises the PresidentSome Presidents have relied on their cabinets:

George H. W. BushWilliam Jefferson Clinton

Some Presidents have barely used their cabinets:

JFK said meeting with his cabinet was a waste of timeAndrew Jackson had his group of informal advisors called the “Kitchen Cabinet”FDR’s Brain Trust was a group apart from his cabinet

President Obama’s CabinetDepartment of State Department of Health and Human Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton Services

Secretary-designate: Kathleen SebeliusDepartment of the TreasurySecretary Timothy F. Geithner Department of Housing and Urban

DevelopmentDepartment of Defense Secretary Shaun L.S. DonovanSecretary Robert M. Gates

Department of Transportation Department of Justice Secretary Raymond L. LaHoodAttorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr

Department of Energy Department of the Interior Secretary Steven Chu.Secretary Kenneth L. Salazar  

Department of EducationDepartment of Agriculture Secretary Arne DuncanSecretary Thomas J. Vilsack

Department of Veterans AffairsDepartment of Commerce Secretary Eric K. ShinsekiSecretary Gary F. Locke

Department of Homeland SecurityDepartment of Labor Secretary Janet A. NapolitanoSecretary Hilda L. Solis

   

Executive Office of the President

Created in 1939Members assist and advise the President

White House OfficePress Secretary – Robert Gibbs releases official news in the President’s behalf

Chief of Staff – Rahm Emanuel – Directs the operations of the White House and controls who sees the President

National Security Advisor – General James Jones (ret. US Marine Corps) – Advises the President in any matter dealing with foreign or domestic issues.White House Counsel – Gregory B. Craig - advises the President on all legal issues concerning the President and the White House.

Other Agencies

National Security Council – advises on domestic, foreign, and military mattersOffice of Homeland Security - keeps the POTUS informed of any threats/terrorismOffice of Management and Budget – Prepares the federal budget for the fiscal year (10/1 – 9/30) and oversees the spending