The Executive Departments and the President’s Cabinet.

Executive Departments and the Cabinet  Each department is responsible for a certain area of government.  The head or “secretary” of each executive department is a member of the president’s Cabinet.  Cabinet members advise the President on issues related to their particular department, secretaries often make policy decisions of far-reaching effect.  The Cabinet is made up of department secretaries, the VP, and other important government officials. (EX: United States UN representative, heads of executive agencies, chief of staff, press secretary, various members of the executive office.)  President chooses the heads of the 15 executive departments, however the senate must approve them.  President is not required to accept the Cabinet’s advice on issues.  Each department is responsible for a certain area of government.  The head or “secretary” of each executive department is a member of the president’s Cabinet.  Cabinet members advise the President on issues related to their particular department, secretaries often make policy decisions of far-reaching effect.  The Cabinet is made up of department secretaries, the VP, and other important government officials. (EX: United States UN representative, heads of executive agencies, chief of staff, press secretary, various members of the executive office.)  President chooses the heads of the 15 executive departments, however the senate must approve them.  President is not required to accept the Cabinet’s advice on issues.

Department of State  Plans and carries out the nations foreign policy. Manages relationships with other countries.  Current Secretary of State- John Kerry (D)  President’s have to create a “foreign policy.” The State Department helps the president with this responsibility.  State Department also sets up Embassies (American government offices) in foreign nations. An Ambassador runs each embassy, which handles the details of US relationships with that particular country.  State Department also sets up Consulates around the world.  Consulates are headed by an official called a Consul.  These consulates protect the rights of Americans who work and travel abroad. Consulates also work to improve American business opportunities and interests in foreign countries.  State Department issues passports to American travelers. Also issues visa’s to foreign workers in the US.  Plans and carries out the nations foreign policy. Manages relationships with other countries.  Current Secretary of State- John Kerry (D)  President’s have to create a “foreign policy.” The State Department helps the president with this responsibility.  State Department also sets up Embassies (American government offices) in foreign nations. An Ambassador runs each embassy, which handles the details of US relationships with that particular country.  State Department also sets up Consulates around the world.  Consulates are headed by an official called a Consul.  These consulates protect the rights of Americans who work and travel abroad. Consulates also work to improve American business opportunities and interests in foreign countries.  State Department issues passports to American travelers. Also issues visa’s to foreign workers in the US.

Department of the Treasury  Collects, borrows, spends, and prints money. Basically, handles the US’s money.  Current Secretary of the Treasury- Jack Lew  Treasury Department has divisions that carry out specific jobs.  IRS-collects income taxes from individuals and businesses  US Customs Service- collects taxes on times that are brought into the US from other countries.  Bureau of Mint- designs and produces US coins  Bureau of Engraving and Printing- prints paper money.  Secret Service- protects the President, VP, and their families. Also in charge of finding counterfeiters  Collects, borrows, spends, and prints money. Basically, handles the US’s money.  Current Secretary of the Treasury- Jack Lew  Treasury Department has divisions that carry out specific jobs.  IRS-collects income taxes from individuals and businesses  US Customs Service- collects taxes on times that are brought into the US from other countries.  Bureau of Mint- designs and produces US coins  Bureau of Engraving and Printing- prints paper money.  Secret Service- protects the President, VP, and their families. Also in charge of finding counterfeiters

Department of Defense  Manages the Armed Forces. Oversees the Army, Navy (including Marines) the Air Force, and Coast Guard.  Current Secretary of the Department of Defense- Ashton Carter  Largest Executive Department budget= $680 Billion dollars  Each armed service has its own division in the department, with their own secretaries. These secretaries (army, navy, air force) are NOT members of the President’s cabinet.  DOD carries out most of the President’s duties as Commander in Chief.  By law, the secretaries above and Attorney General can NOT be military officers.  Military officers can serve as advisers, the President consults the Joint Chiefs of Staff on all important military decisions. Joint Chiefs are made up of the highest-ranking officers from each of the armed services.  Manages the Armed Forces. Oversees the Army, Navy (including Marines) the Air Force, and Coast Guard.  Current Secretary of the Department of Defense- Ashton Carter  Largest Executive Department budget= $680 Billion dollars  Each armed service has its own division in the department, with their own secretaries. These secretaries (army, navy, air force) are NOT members of the President’s cabinet.  DOD carries out most of the President’s duties as Commander in Chief.  By law, the secretaries above and Attorney General can NOT be military officers.  Military officers can serve as advisers, the President consults the Joint Chiefs of Staff on all important military decisions. Joint Chiefs are made up of the highest-ranking officers from each of the armed services.

Department of Justice  Responsible for all aspects of law enforcement.  Secretary of the Department of Justice is known as the Attorney General. Current Attorney General is Loretta E. Lynch  Justice Department is in charge of investigating, and punishing people who break federal laws.  Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is a division of the Justice Department.  Bureau of Prisons operates federal prisons  Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) is another division that enforces nation’s immigration laws.  INS used to be a part of Justice Department. Since 2003 it’s now part of the Department of Homeland Security  Responsible for all aspects of law enforcement.  Secretary of the Department of Justice is known as the Attorney General. Current Attorney General is Loretta E. Lynch  Justice Department is in charge of investigating, and punishing people who break federal laws.  Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is a division of the Justice Department.  Bureau of Prisons operates federal prisons  Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) is another division that enforces nation’s immigration laws.  INS used to be a part of Justice Department. Since 2003 it’s now part of the Department of Homeland Security

Department of the Interior  Manages and protects the nation’s public lands and natural resources  Current Secretary of the Interior- Sally Jewell  Best known department is National Park Service, oversees nearly 80 million acres of land in national parks.  Also includes Fish and Wildlife Service which maintains wildlife refuges and protects endangered animals.  Bureau of Indian Affairs, manages land set aside for use of Native Americans (reservations)  Manages and protects the nation’s public lands and natural resources  Current Secretary of the Interior- Sally Jewell  Best known department is National Park Service, oversees nearly 80 million acres of land in national parks.  Also includes Fish and Wildlife Service which maintains wildlife refuges and protects endangered animals.  Bureau of Indian Affairs, manages land set aside for use of Native Americans (reservations)

Department of Agriculture-1889  Assists farmers and consumers of farm products.  Current Secretary of the Department of Agriculture- Thomas Vilsack  Department of Agriculture is often referred to as USDA  Divisions and Agencies in the USDA  Agricultural Research Service- develops new crops and better ways to grow them.  Farmers Home Administration- lends money to farmers who want to expand their farm.  Food Safety and Inspection Service- maintains quality and safety of meat and poultry.  Food and Nutrition Service- distributes food stamps to millions of needy families.  Soil Conservation service- protects the rich soil of American farms, and its Forest Service maintains 200 million acres of forests.  Assists farmers and consumers of farm products.  Current Secretary of the Department of Agriculture- Thomas Vilsack  Department of Agriculture is often referred to as USDA  Divisions and Agencies in the USDA  Agricultural Research Service- develops new crops and better ways to grow them.  Farmers Home Administration- lends money to farmers who want to expand their farm.  Food Safety and Inspection Service- maintains quality and safety of meat and poultry.  Food and Nutrition Service- distributes food stamps to millions of needy families.  Soil Conservation service- protects the rich soil of American farms, and its Forest Service maintains 200 million acres of forests.

Department of Commerce  Supervises trade, promotes United States tourism and business.  Current Secretary of the Department of Commerce- Penny Pritzker  Divisions and Agencies  Bureau of the Census- conducts a census every 10 years  National Patent and Trademark Office- official records of inventions and product names  National Institute of Standards and Technology- sets standards for units of measurement  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)- conducts ocean research and keeps track of atmospheric conditions. National Weather Service is part of NOAA  Supervises trade, promotes United States tourism and business.  Current Secretary of the Department of Commerce- Penny Pritzker  Divisions and Agencies  Bureau of the Census- conducts a census every 10 years  National Patent and Trademark Office- official records of inventions and product names  National Institute of Standards and Technology- sets standards for units of measurement  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)- conducts ocean research and keeps track of atmospheric conditions. National Weather Service is part of NOAA

Department of Labor  Concerned with the working conditions and wages of US workers.  Current Secretary of the Department of Labor- Thomas Perez  Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)- sets health and safety standards that employers must meet to protect workers from physical harm  Unemployment Insurance Service- provides financial aid to workers who have been forced to leave their jobs.  Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)- collects information about the job market and working conditions.  Concerned with the working conditions and wages of US workers.  Current Secretary of the Department of Labor- Thomas Perez  Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)- sets health and safety standards that employers must meet to protect workers from physical harm  Unemployment Insurance Service- provides financial aid to workers who have been forced to leave their jobs.  Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)- collects information about the job market and working conditions.

Department of Health and Human Services  Also known as (HHS)  Works for the health and well-being of all Americans.  Current Secretary of Health and Human Services- Sylvia Matthews Burwell  Social Security Administration and the Family Support Administration- provide financial support for people who might otherwise live in poverty.  Public Health Service- works to keep Americans free from illness  Includes Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)- researches prevention and cure for diseases  National Institutes of Health- other health-related research  Food and Drug Administration (FDA)- oversees safety of all food, drugs, and cosmetics.  Also known as (HHS)  Works for the health and well-being of all Americans.  Current Secretary of Health and Human Services- Sylvia Matthews Burwell  Social Security Administration and the Family Support Administration- provide financial support for people who might otherwise live in poverty.  Public Health Service- works to keep Americans free from illness  Includes Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)- researches prevention and cure for diseases  National Institutes of Health- other health-related research  Food and Drug Administration (FDA)- oversees safety of all food, drugs, and cosmetics.

Department of Housing and Urban Development  Deals with the special needs and problems of major cities. Also known as HUD  Current Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development- Julián Castro  HUD operates programs that distribute federal grants to state and local governments for projects such as rebuilding slums, improving neighborhoods, and building low- income housing.  HUD also works with cities and town to plan for growth.  Deals with the special needs and problems of major cities. Also known as HUD  Current Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development- Julián Castro  HUD operates programs that distribute federal grants to state and local governments for projects such as rebuilding slums, improving neighborhoods, and building low- income housing.  HUD also works with cities and town to plan for growth.

Department of Transportation  Manages the nation’s highways, railroads, airlines, and sea traffic. Also known as DOT  Current Secretary of the Department of Transportation- Anthony Foxx  Promotes transportation safety.  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration- sets standards for safety of automobiles.  Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)- oversees the airline industry  United States Coast Guard- serves as an ocean-based police force, executes search and rescue operations at sea.  Manages the nation’s highways, railroads, airlines, and sea traffic. Also known as DOT  Current Secretary of the Department of Transportation- Anthony Foxx  Promotes transportation safety.  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration- sets standards for safety of automobiles.  Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)- oversees the airline industry  United States Coast Guard- serves as an ocean-based police force, executes search and rescue operations at sea.

Department of Energy  Directs an overall energy plan for the nation.  Current Secretary of the Department of Energy- Ernest Moniz  Regulates the development and use of US oil and gas resources.  Conducts research into fossil-fuel efficiency, and development of alternative energy sources. (wind, water, nuclear, solar, etc.)  Also regulates the nuclear power industry.  Directs an overall energy plan for the nation.  Current Secretary of the Department of Energy- Ernest Moniz  Regulates the development and use of US oil and gas resources.  Conducts research into fossil-fuel efficiency, and development of alternative energy sources. (wind, water, nuclear, solar, etc.)  Also regulates the nuclear power industry.

Department of Education  Provides advice and funding for schools.  Current Secretary of the Department of Education- Arne Duncan  Distributes federal funding to states and school districts to help programs such as bilingual education, health and drug education, special education, and vocational training.  Provides advice and funding for schools.  Current Secretary of the Department of Education- Arne Duncan  Distributes federal funding to states and school districts to help programs such as bilingual education, health and drug education, special education, and vocational training.

Department of Veterans Affairs  Directs services for veterans.  Current Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs- Robert McDonald  Deals with veterans health insurance, financial aid for education, special needs and medical needs.  Directs services for veterans.  Current Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs- Robert McDonald  Deals with veterans health insurance, financial aid for education, special needs and medical needs.

Department of Homeland Security  Protects and responds to terrorist attacks, man-made accidents, and natural disasters. In the US and its territories.  Current Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security- Jeh Johnson  Since 2003, INS is now part of the Department of Homeland Security.  Divided it into two separate and new agencies- Immigration and Customs Enforcement. And Citizenship and Immigration Services  Immigration and Customs enforcement includes Border Patrol and Customs service  Protects and responds to terrorist attacks, man-made accidents, and natural disasters. In the US and its territories.  Current Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security- Jeh Johnson  Since 2003, INS is now part of the Department of Homeland Security.  Divided it into two separate and new agencies- Immigration and Customs Enforcement. And Citizenship and Immigration Services  Immigration and Customs enforcement includes Border Patrol and Customs service

Other members of Obama’s Cabinet  White House Chief of Staff- Denis McDonough  Environmental Protection Agency- Administrator Gina McCarthy  Office of Management & Budget- Director Shaun L.S. Donovan  United States Trade Representative- Ambassador Michael Froman  United States Mission to the United Nations- Ambassador Samantha Power  Council of Economic Advisers- Chairman Jason Furman  Small Business Administration- Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet  White House Chief of Staff- Denis McDonough  Environmental Protection Agency- Administrator Gina McCarthy  Office of Management & Budget- Director Shaun L.S. Donovan  United States Trade Representative- Ambassador Michael Froman  United States Mission to the United Nations- Ambassador Samantha Power  Council of Economic Advisers- Chairman Jason Furman  Small Business Administration- Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet