Executive Branch The Cabinet and Executive Agencies

Who gets the blame for problems in the country? The President

Bureaucracy A large, complex administrative structure that handles the everyday business of an organization Hierarchical authority Job specialization Formalized rules

Executive Departments 15 departments Carry out much of the Federal Government’s work Each department is headed by a secretary except for the attorney general over the Department of Justice The departments are further divided into subunits called agencies, which are further divided into smaller units

The Cabinet Informal advisors to the president and each is the head of an executive department In 1789, Congress established secretary of state secretary of the treasury secretary of war attorney general In 2012, traditionally includes Vice-President, the White House Chief of Staff, the heads of the 15 executive departments, and others

Choosing the Cabinet President appoints heads of the 15 executive departments Presidents rarely appoint those of opposing party Individuals may have been involved in the presidential campaign Other factors: professional qualifications, experience, and geography, gender, race, etc.

Executive Agencies Government agencies outside the 15 executive departments approximately 150 agencies The work of these agencies are similar to those of the executive departments Why are they not part of the 15 executive departments? 1.The agency does not fit well with any department 2.Protects the agency from the influence of partisan pressure 3.By accident 4.Sensitive nature of an agency’s function The heads of these agencies do not have Cabinet status

Examples of Executive Agencies From the known... NASA Peace Corps The Civil Rights Commission... to the unknown American Battle Monuments Commission Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee Migratory Bird Conservation Commission