Developed over the years as an informal group of advisors from each executive department 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…” George Washington created the 1st Cabinet with: Secretaries of State, Treasury, War and an Attorney General

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 his entire cabinet 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.

There are now 15 Cabinet Departments Each of these Departments have many subunits. The smallest is the State, with 25,000 employees The largest is the DOD with over 2 million employees.

State Treasury Defense Justice Interior Agriculture Commerce Labor Health and Human Services Housing and Urban Development Transportation Energy Education Veterans Affairs Homeland Security

Handles America’s foreign policy Negotiates treaties & staffs embassies Speaks for the US at the United Nations Picture: The Harry S. Truman Building in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood of Washington, D.C is the headquarters of the United States Department of State. $47B 69k

Serves as the financial division of the government Collects taxes & manages debt Mints coins and currency $14B 86k

Named the War Department until 1949 Ensures America’s security Oversees the armed forces through the Joint Chiefs of Staff The Pentagon is the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, located in Arlington County, Virginia, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. $534B 2.8m

Oversees the nation’s legal affairs, police, and prison system Administers explosive and firearm laws Regulates the production and distribution of alcohol and tobacco $31B 113k

Protects the public lands and natural resources throughout the U.S. Oversees relationships with Native Americans $20B 70k

Helps farmers improve incomes and production for home and abroad Develops conservation programs Safeguards the nation’s food supply $151B 105k

Seeks to “promote job creation and improved living standards for all Americans” Carries out the census The Herbert C. Hoover Building is the Washington, D.C. headquarters of the United States Department of Commerce. $9B 44k

Ensures safe working conditions Oversees minimum wages and protects pensions Collects and analyzes data on employment $12B 17k

Motto is "Improving the health, safety, and well- being of America“ Manages federal Medicare and Medicaid programs Note: Yes, that is a T for $1 trillion: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Department_of_Health_and_Human_Services#Budget_and_finances $1T 79k

Works to assist communities in the nation Founded in 1965, as part of President Lyndon Johnson’s “Great Society” program Works to assist communities in the nation Ensures equal housing opportunities $32B 8k

Regulates America’s transportation needs, policies, & planning Works to ensure safe, efficient, and convenient highway, rail, & air transportation Includes the FAA $75b 55k

Oversees America’s nuclear program Sets energy policy Researches and develops energy technology Directs research in genomics & the Human Genome Project $28B 105k

Coordinates federal assistance programs for public and private schools Provides grants and student loans in addition to assisting students and schools with special needs $68B 4k

Oversees medical care for military veterans and families Manages educational programs for veterans $180B 377k

Newest department created in 2002 after 9/11 attacks Charged with anti-terrorism, border security, immigration and customs, cyber security, & disaster prevention and management Newest department created in 2002 after 9/11 attacks $40B 229k

A large, complex administrative structure that handles the everyday business of the government. To some, bureaucracy has become synonymous with waste, red tape, delay, inefficiency… Some argue that privatization would be better (Ex mail, health care, social security, schools) Others advise against turning important agencies that help people over to for-profit corporations