Chapter 6: The Presidency Section 3: The President’s Administration (pgs.180-185)

Executive Office of the President The president’s administration is made up of all the people who work for executive branch- from your local mail carrier on up to the president. The people at the top are appointed to their posts by the president and change when a new president is elected. The EOP is made up of the National Security Council, the Council of Economic Advisers, and the Office of Management and Budget.

The Formation of the EOP The now-vast organization known as the EOP did not exist 100 years ago. Up until TR presidents mainly relied on their cabinet. Starting w/ TR an era of activist government led to an expansion of the president’s staff. In 1939 FDR asked Congress to authorize a new organizational structure to help manage the new agencies in the EOP. Since WWII, nuclear weapons, and the age of communication the people in the EOP have great power. TR FDR

The White House Office Most of the White House staff work in the White House & across the street in the Old Executive Building and most are not confirmed by the Senate. The staff can number around 400 to 600. To manage the White House office the president appoints a chief of staff. See page 182 to see all the offices that report to the chief of staff. It has become a very powerful post over recent decades. Denis McDonough

National Security Council (NSC) This was created in 1947 during the Cold War. It coordinates diplomatic efforts, military preparedness and secret intelligence. The president chairs the NSC but he relies on the national security adviser as his assistant. Other members are the VP, secretaries of state, treasury, defense, & Homeland Security and also the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of staff.

Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) It became part of the EOP in 1946. It provides the president with expert analysis of the economy. It consists of 3 members nominated by the president & confirmed by the senate and their staff. The CEA helps the president prepare the annual Economic Report, published soon after the budget.

Office of Management & Budget (OMB) The OMB is to help develop the federal budget & to oversee its execution by the agencies in the executive branch. It also works with Congress. It is the largest organization in the EOP, with more than 500 employees. Many of these employees are career staff .

The Vice President The VP is the only other person in the presidents administration that is elected. The Constitution assigns the VP only 3 duties: President of the Senate, counting votes in the electoral college, and taking over as president if the president dies, is ill, or resigns. Only nine Vice Presidents have had to become President b/c the president died or resigned.

The Early Vice Presidency In the early years of our republic the VP didn’t do much besides the three duties in the constitution. Until the 12th amendment in 1804, the VP was the runner-up. Then the VP was put on the ballot to help the president get support from a different geographic area of the nation.

The Modern Vice Presidency Since the 1970s presidents have begun to rely more heavily on their vice presidents to help make policy and carry out their programs. Jimmy Carter’s VP Walter Mondale established a tradition of a weekly lunch with the president. He was also given special assignments. This continued with President Clinton and VP Al Gore and George W. Bush and Dick Cheney

The Cabinet This is a key part of the president’s administration. The Cabinet is an organization made up of the heads of the executive departments or secretaries. (See pg.166) In recent years presidents have included the director of the OMB, and Chief of Staff to cabinet rank.

The Cabinet’s History The Cabinet is not in the Constitution but it does talk about departments. Washington only had 4 people in his cabinet. Secretary of State, Treasury, War, and Attorney General. The Cabinet provides valuable guidance to the president.

The Cabinet Today Today the Cabinet has 16 posts including the vice president. Plus presidents invite others to be part of the Cabinet, like the national security adviser, the director of the OMB, and the Chief of Staff. The Cabinet is still an important advisory body.