Chapter 11 Structure and Functions of the Executive Branch © 2012, TESCCC

Who are they? How are they selected? What do they do? U.S. Government, Unit: 05 Lesson: 03

The Role of the Cabinet The tradition of the Cabinet dates back to the beginnings of the Presidency. One of the principal purposes of the Cabinet (drawn from Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution) is to advise the President on any subject he may require relating to the duties of their respective offices. © 2012, TESCCC

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…” © 2012, TESCCC

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’s brother served as Attorney General and served as a chief advisor. Ronald Reagan held Cabinet meetings an average of twice a week to stay informed. © 2012, TESCCC

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 © 2012, TESCCC Today there are fifteen departments.

Presidential Cabinet Today 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 © 2012, TESCCC

Department of State Handles the foreign policy of the nation Staffs embassies Analyzes data about American interests in other nations Speaks for the United States at the United Nations © 2012, TESCCC

Department of the Treasury Serves as the financial division of the government Manages public debt Collects taxes Manufactures coins and currency Regulates and collects taxes from producers and distributers of alcohol and tobacco © 2012, TESCCC

Department of Justice Oversees the nation’s legal affairs Supervises the agencies that serve as the nation’s police and prison system Enforces antitrust laws © 2012, TESCCC

Department of Defense Protects the security of the United States Oversees the U.S. Armed Forces through the Joint Chiefs of Staff Until 1949 was called the Department of War © 2012, TESCCC

Department of Interior Protects the public lands and natural resources throughout the United States Oversees relationships with American Indian nations © 2012, TESCCC

Department of Agriculture Helps farmers improve incomes and production for home and abroad Develops conservation programs Safeguards the nation’s food supply © 2012, TESCCC

Department of Commerce Promotes and protects the industrial and commercial parts of the economy Carries out the census © 2012, TESCCC

Department of Labor Ensures safe working conditions Oversees minimum wages and protects pensions Collects and analyzes data on employment © 2012, TESCCC

Department of Health and Human Services Oversees programs concerned with health and social services of the American people Manages federal medicare and medicaid © 2012, TESCCC

Department of Housing and Urban Development Works to assist communities in the nation and expand access to affordable housing Ensures equal housing opportunities © 2012, TESCCC

Department of Transportation Regulates America’s transportation needs, policies and planning Works to ensure safe, efficient, and convenient land, sea, rail, and air transportation including monitoring inland waterways and highways © 2012, TESCCC

Department of Energy Plans energy policy and implements policy regarding the handling of nuclear material Responsible for the nation’s nuclear weapons program, reactors, and radioactive waste Researches and develops energy technology © 2012, TESCCC

Department of Education Establishes policy for, administers and coordinates most federal assistance to education, collects data on US schools, and enforces federal educational laws regarding privacy and civil rights Its mission is: to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access © 2012, TESCCC

Department of Veterans Affairs Oversees medical care and other services for veterans and families after their service Manages educational programs for veterans and works to end Veterans’ homelessness © 2012, TESCCC

Department of Homeland Security Charged with protecting the security of America’s borders, shores, land and the safety of its people Newest department created in 2002 after September 11, 2001 © 2012, TESCCC

Other Cabinet Rank Members The Vice President Head of the Office of Management and Budget Head of the Environmental Protection Agency © 2012, TESCCC White House Chief of Staff United States Trade Representative Head of the Office of National Drug Control Policy Lincoln meeting with his Cabinet providing the first reading to the Emancipation Proclamation

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) © 2012, TESCCC

The Civil Service © 2012, TESCCC

Development of the Civil Service The Beginnings – During the early years of the republic, Presidents tried to fill federal jobs with qualified persons who shared their political views The Spoils System – Andrew Jackson began the practice of giving government positions to the President’s political supporters © 2012, TESCCC

Development of the Civil Service continued – Jackson defended this policy by saying that any intelligent person can fill any public office – Jackson also maintained that there should be rotation in office so that more people can serve in public office – Long service in office, Jackson believed, would lead to tyranny and inefficiency © 2012, TESCCC

The Pendleton Act – The Pendleton Act made merit the basis for hiring and promotion in federal jobs – The act also required that the federal work force would consist of men and women from every State, with the number from each State bearing a close relationship to that State’s share of the total population Veterans received preferred ranking in federal hiring

Civil Service Today A second goal of civil service reform has been to ensure that the best available people are included in the federal work force Reorganization – President Carter succeeded in implementing reforms in the civil service system that were intended to make the system more efficient and responsive to merit © 2012, TESCCC