ExecutiveDepartments
ExecutiveAgencies
Cabinet
Pres.
Executive Departments
• They are also called “Cabinet Departments”
• The Federal Government’s work is done by the Executive Departments
• 1st 3 departments created by Congress 1789
1) Department of State 2) Department of Treasury 3) Department of Defense
Department Officers and Staff
• Each Department is headed by a Secretary
-Exception is the Dept. of Justice, headed by
the U.S. Attorney General• Heads/officers are the links between
presidential policy and their departments
Departments•Similar setup as a school•Principal = President•Departments (S.S., English,
Math, Science) = Departments•Department Heads =
Secretaries of the Departments
The Cabinet Members
• Informal advisors to the President• They are appointed by the
President (15 separate departments)
*They are subject to confirmation by the
Senate
Cabinet Members cont…
•Cabinet Members have two major roles:
1. Administrators of each department (as individuals)
2. Advisors to the President (as a group)
The Executive DepartmentsState Treasury Defense
Interior Agriculture Justice
Commerce Labor Health
Education Housing Transportation
Energy Veteran’s Affairs
Homeland Security
Dept. of StateOldest Dept. in the Government (1789)
Headed by Secretary of State
Primary purpose is to conduct Foreign Policy
Dept. of State (Cont.)Ambassadors – highest U.S. officials in foreign countries.
Embassy – official residence and offices of ambassadors
Passport – allow U.S. citizens to travel abroad
Visas – allow foreigners to come to the United States
Dept. of Treasury2nd oldest Dept. in the
Government (1789)
Primary purpose is to conduct the government’s fiscal & monetary policy
Taxes, Printing Money, ETC...
Dept. of DefenseFormed in 1949 (combined
the Dept. of Navy & Army)
Primary purpose is to direct and control the armed forces.
Joint Chiefs of Staff- highest ranking military officers of the army, navy and air force
advise the President
Dept. of Justice1870 – Replaced the Dept. of the Attorney General
Headed by the Attorney General
Only Dept. not led by a Secretary
Primary purpose is to enforce all federal laws
Dept. of AgricultureEstablished in 1889
Known primarily as the U.S.D.A.
Food Safety – nutrition labels
Drug Safety
Farm regulations
Dept. of LaborEstablished in 1913
Protects the American Workers
Minimum Wage
Occupational Health & Safety Administration (O.S.H.A.)
Safety in workplace
Dept. of Homeland Security
Established in 2002 (Newest)
Started as a result of 9/11/01
Goal is to prevent terrorist attacks in the United States
Coast Guard, Secret Service, Customs, Nuclear/Chemical & Biological weapons agencies included also
ExecutiveDepartments
ExecutiveAgencies
Cabinet
Pres.
Independent Agencies• More than 65• All created by congress for a
specific job• Help the President carry out the
duties of his office.• Different from departments
because they perform specialized duties.
Independent Agencies• N.A.S.A. (National Aeronautics
and Space Administration) – runs the space program
• OPM (Office of Personnel Management) – tests people who want jobs in the federal government
• General Services Administration – buys supplies for the government
Regulatory Commissions
• An independent agency that has the power to make rules and bring violators to court
• Decisions often have the force of law.
• Independent so they have the freedom to do their jobs.
Regulatory Commissions
• FEC (Federal Election Commission) – enforces the Federal Campaign Act. Determines how federal campaigns are financed, election laws and other campaign issues.
Regulatory Commissions
• CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) – sets and enforces safety standards for consumer products.
• NLRB (National Labor Relations Board) - enforces federal labor laws. Prevents and remedies unfair labor practices among businesses.
Regulatory Commissions
• SEC (Securities Exchange Commission) – enforces laws regulating the selling of stocks and bonds.
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