Presidential Advisors and Executive Agencies

Organization of the Federal Branch The president’s administration is called the Executive Office of the President The core of the EOP is the White House Office Comprised of about 50 people who work directly for the president About 10 to 12 are presidents closest political advisors Chief of Staff is most powerful of White House Office

National Security Council helps president direct military and foreign policy; includes the vice president, secretaries of state and defense, chairman of joints Chief of staff and top commander from each armed service The NSC also advises the CIA

Other offices Office of Administration Provides administrative and business services to the executive offices Also help people in search of records under the freedom of information act Council of Economic Advisors helps the president carry out role as economic leader

The Cabinet The cabinet is a group of presidential advisers that includes the heads of the 14 top level executive departments The Department of Homeland Security is the most recent department created The head of the Department of Justice is called the attorney general, all other dept heads are called secretaries

Cabinet Responsibilities The cabinet members advise the president on issues related to their department The cabinet was created by George Washington who began to meet with the head of the first department which was the attorney general and secretaries of state, war, and treasury Cabinet meets whenever president needs them

VP and First Ladies VP usually is not given much authority, but do help to advise the president Role of the first lady is not mentioned in the Constitution, however many first ladies have been influential

Federal Bureaucracy The federal bureaucracy is the agencies and employees of the executive branch People who work in the federal bureaucracy are called bureaucrats 3 Basic Jobs: Puts in to action the laws Congress makes Administer day to day operations of the federal government Regulate activities such as broadcasting companies, banks, labor unions

Independent Agencies The executive branch includes hundreds of independent agencies which include: Executive agencies Government corporations Regulatory commissions

Executive Agencies Independent agencies responsible for dealing with specialized areas within government National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Government Corporations Similar to private corporations, except the government rather than individual people own them President picks who will run the corporation with Senate approval US Postal Service

Regulatory Boards and Commissions Supposed to protect the public Do not report to the president, Congress has to remove them by impeachment Enforce rules for certain industries or groups Federal Communications Commission (FCC) makes broadcasting rules for nations TV and radio stations

Government workers Executive branch has thousands of employees political appointees people chosen by the president because they supported presidents campaign or proven executive ability; leave when president’s term is over Civil Service Workers make majority of government employees; doctors, lawyers and others who attain job by merit

Civil Service System Before 1883, government jobs went to people as a reward for their political support, which is known as the Spoils System Caused abuse of the system and after President Garfield was assassinated because a man was refused a government job Pendleton Act, limits the amount of jobs the president can hand out to friends