The Executive Branch The Cabinet

What Is It? Secretaries of 15 executive departments (pending Senate approval) Vice President Other top officials It needs to be balanced politically, socially, & from a management standpoint

Appointment Factors They have a background that is related to the department they will head –Geographic balance They should make interest groups happy that are affected by the department’s policies They should have great administrative skills and experience

Cabinet Member Info Most are college graduates Most of them also have advanced degrees They are thought of as leaders in their field of expertise They make $183,500 per year

Cabinet Departments State –R–Responsible for the overall foreign policy of the U.S. –P–Protests the rights of U.S. citizens traveling in foreign countries Treasury –B–Bureau of Mint (coins) –B–Bureau of Engraving and Printing (paper money) –I–Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

Cabinet Departments Interior –Protect public lands & natural resources –Relations w/Native Americans –Bureau of Mines & National Park Service Agriculture –Develop conservation programs & provide financial credit to farmers Labor –Protecting American workers

Cabinet Departments Justice –F–FBI –U–U.S. Marshals Service –D–Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) –A–Antitrust Division & Civil Rights Division Commerce –P–Promote & protect the industrial and commercial segments of the American economy

Defense –Protects the nation’s security –Joint Chiefs of Staff Health & Human Services –Directing programs concerned with the health & social service need of the American people Housing & Urban Development –Preserve communities –Ensure equal housing opportunities

Cabinet Departments Transportation –Regulate all aspects of American transportation needs, policy development, & planning Energy –Plans energy policy –Research & develop energy technology Veterans Affairs –Administers hospitals, educational, & other programs for veterans & their families

Cabinet Departments Education –Coordinate federal assistance programs for public & private schools –Focus: limited English & physically disabled students Homeland Security –Controls Coast Guard, Border Patrol, Immigration & Naturalization Service, Customs Service –Analyzes info from the FBI & CIA