1. The Cabinet
Article II, Section 2

2. The Cabinet’s Role
Advise the President on any subject he may require relating to the duties of each member’s respective office.
Q: Why would the President need advisors
A: The President has a lot to do. He or she must:
Oversee relations with foreign countries and defense of our country
keep an eye on farms
protect the public from harmful diseases and hazards
the list goes on and on

3. Who are the Cabinet Members
The most senior appointed officers
Heads of federal executive departments
With the exception of the Attorney General, all officers receive the title of Secretary.

4. Appointing Secretaries
Cabinet officers are nominated by the President.
Q: Who approves presidential appointments?
A: The Senate

5. The First Cabinet 1789 George Washington Attorney General
Secretary of Treasury
Secretary of State
Secretary of War

6. President Obama’s Cabinet
The Vice President and the heads of 15 executive departments including:
The Secretary of Agriculture
The Secretary of Education
The Secretary of Homeland Security
Q: Why is President Obama’s cabinet so much larger than George Washington’s?
A: The country has changed drastically since Can you think of ways the President or the Country has changed since 1789?

7. The Cabinet Secretary of State Secretary of Homeland Security
Secretary of Defense
Attorney General
Secretary of the Treasury
Secretary of the Interior
Secretary of Agriculture
Secretary of Commerce
Secretary of Labor
Secretary of Health and Human Services
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
Secretary of Transportation
Secretary of Energy
Secretary of Education
Secretary of Veterans Affairs