Department Date Established State 1789 Treasury Interior 1849 Justice 1870 Agriculture 1889 Commerce 1913 Labor Defense 1947 Housing and Urban Development 1965 Transportation 1967 Energy 1977 Health and Human Services 1979 Education Veterans’ Affairs 1988 Homeland Security 2002 Cabinet Departments The executive office consists of fifteen departments Each department is headed by a secretary*
Departments 15 Departments 70%+ of federal civil servants “Inner Cabinet” Defense, Veterans Affairs, Homeland Security, Treasury, Justice “Outer Cabinet” Other 10 70%+ of federal civil servants Spend 93% of federal dollars
Independent Executive Agencies Work on specific problems 50+ today Can create confusion Ex. 15 different intelligence agencies in the federal government
Independent Regulatory Agencies (Commissions) (some) independence from Congress and POTUS Headed by small number of commissioners Appointed by POTUS/confirmed by Senate Fixed terms Cannot be removed except for cause
Government Corporations Intended to act more like businesses More freedom to hire/fire Can make money