The President’s Cabinet Who are they? How are they selected? What do they do?

Constitutional Authority? Not a formal organization mandated by law Developed over the years as an informal group of advisors from each of the executive departments Article II, Section 2, Clause 1… “he may require the Opinion, in writing of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices…”

Steps in the Process of Appointing Members of the Cabinet Presidential nomination White House review Paperwork financial disclosure FBI investigation Senate confirmation hearings Senate vote (majority needed)

Interesting Facts about Presidential Cabinets George Washington’s top two advisors, Jefferson and Hamilton, disagreed so bitterly that political parties formed around these two men. Andrew Jackson preferred a group of informal advisors known as the “Kitchen Cabinet”. Abraham Lincoln once took a vote in which the seven members unanimously opposed him. He said, “Seven nays, one aye, the ayes have it.” John F. Kennedy paid more attention to the advice of his brother, Robert, who served as Attorney General, than his formal Cabinet. Ronald Reagan held Cabinet meetings an average of twice a week to stay informed.

The First Executive Departments: George Washington’s Presidency Department of State - Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson Department of the Treasury - Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton Department of War - Secretary of Defense Henry Knox Office of the Attorney General - Edmund Randolph -became the Department of Justice in 1870 These cabinet departments are referred to the “inner cabinet”. Today there are fifteen departments.

Line of Succession 1 st in line to succeed the President is Vice President 2 nd – Speaker of the House 3 rd – President Pro Tempore 4 th – Sec. of State 5 th – Sec. of Treasury 6 th – Sec. of Defense 7 th – Attorney General Then the Secs of Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Labor, Health and Human Services, HUD, Transportation, Energy, Education, VA, Homeland Security

Presidential Cabinet Today © 2012, TESCCC Secretary of State Secretary of the Treasury Attorney General (Justice Dept.) Secretary of Defense Secretary of the Interior Secretary of Agriculture Secretary of Commerce Secretary of Labor Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Secretary of Transportation Secretary of Energy Secretary of Education Secretary of Veterans Affairs Secretary of Homeland Security

Department of State Handles the foreign policy of the nation Staffs embassies Analyzes data about American interests in other nations Speaks for the U.S. at the United Nations it.jpg John Kerry

Department of the Treasury Serves as the financial division of the government Manages public debt Collects taxes Manufactures coins and currency Jacob Lew

Department of Justice Headed by the Attorney General Oversees the nation’s legal affairs Supervises the agencies that serve as the nation’s police and prison system Over the FBI Enforces antitrust laws Administers explosive and firearm laws Regulates the production and distribution of alcohol and tobacco s/default/files/styles/staff_ profile/public/ag/staff- profiles/images/2015/04/2 8/lynch.png?itok=dICRetr U Loretta Lynch

Department of Defense Protects the security of the United States Oversees the armed forces through the Joint Chiefs of Staff Until 1949 was called the Department of War Ashton Carter

Department of Interior Supervises and protects the public lands and natural resources throughout the U.S. Oversees programs for Native Americans Investigates mine accidents Sally Jewell erior

Department of Agriculture Helps farmers improve incomes and production for home and abroad Develops conservation programs Safeguards the nation’s food supply Administer food stamps and school lunch programs Tom Vilsack

Department of Commerce Promotes and protects the industrial and commercial parts of the economy Makes loans to small businesses Grants patents Carries out the census Operates the U.S. Weather Service Maintains official weights and measures Penny Pritzker

Department of Labor Ensures safe working conditions Oversees minimum wages and protects pensions Collects and analyzes data on employment Administers unemployment insurance Thomas Perez

Department of Health and Human Services Oversees programs concerned with health and social services of the American people Manages federal medicare and medicaid and social security Enforces pure food and drug laws Sylvia Burwell

Department of Housing and Urban Development Works to assist communities in the nation Ensures equal housing opportunities Supports private housing mortgage loans Julian Castro

Department of Transportation Regulates America’s transportation needs, policies and planning Supports research on mass transit Works to ensure safe, efficient, and convenient land and air transportation-sets safety standards Anthony R. Foxx

Department of Energy Plans and promotes energy policy Researches and develops energy technology Ernest Moniz

Department of Education Coordinates federal assistance programs for public and private schools Develops programs to help students with limited English proficiency and physically challenged students Arne Duncan

Department of Veterans Affairs Oversees medical care for veterans and families Manages educational programs for veterans Robert A. McDonald onald.asp

Department of Homeland Security Charged with protecting the security of America’s borders, shores, land and the safety of its people Operates the Secret Service Operates the Coast Guard Newest department created in 2002 after September 11, 2001 Jeh Johnson

Other Cabinet Rank Members The Vice President Head of the Office of Management and Budget Head of the Environmental Protection Agency White House Chief of Staff United States Trade Representative Council of Economic Advisors Small Business Administration United States Mission to the United Nations