Chapter 14 Section 5 Objective: To understand the executive agencies and the role of the cabinet.

A. The Executive Office of the President (EOP)  1. The EOP is an umbrella agency made up of several separate offices and staffed by the President’s closest advisers and assistants.  2. It includes the Chief of Staff, the Counsel to the President, the Press Secretary, and expert advisers in many areas.

B. The National Security Council (NSC)  1. The NSC advises the President on all matters of national security – foreign and domestic.  2. Its members include the Vice President, the Secretaries of Defense and State, the director of the CIA, and the Chairperson of the Joint Chiefs of Staff – also NSA and HS.

C. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB)  1. The OMB is a powerful agency who’s major task is to prepare the annual federal budget.  2. It also monitors the spending of funds appropriated by Congress and oversees the management of the Executive branch.

D. The Office of National Drug Control Policy  1. This office prepares an annual drug control policy.  2. It coordinates the efforts of more than 50 federal agencies involved in the war on drugs (i.e. ATF, DEA..) led by the country’s drug czar.

E. The Council of Economic Advisers  1. The Council of Economic Advisers consists of three top economists, appointed by the President and approved by the Senate.  2. It is the President’s chief source of information and advice on the economy.

F. Other Units in the Executive Office  1. The office of policy development advises the President on domestic matters.  2. The National Space Council advises on the nation’s civil and military efforts in space and is chaired by the vice president.  3. The council on environmental quality is concerned with all environmental matters.

 4. The office of United States trade representative advises on foreign trade.  5. The national critical materials council advises on critical natural resources related to national security.  6. The Office of Science and Technology Policy advises on all scientific, engineering, and technological issues.  7. The Office of Administration provides support services for the executive office.

G. The Cabinet  1. The President appoints cabinet members, who must be confirmed by the Senate.  2. Many factors, both political and substantive, influence the selection of cabinet officials.  Most cabinet members have been white males  A few women and members of minority groups have been cabinet members in recent decades.  Members are almost exclusively from the same party as the President.

 3. Each cabinet member heads one of the 15 executive departments and serves as an adviser to the President.  4. Presidents vary in the use they make of their cabinet…remember, they serve at the pleasure of the President.