1. Structure and Functions of the Executive Branch
Chapter 11
Structure and Functions of the Executive Branch

2. Who are they?
How are they selected?
What do they do?

3. The Role of the Cabinet President selects cabinet
Cabinet – close adviser to the president
VP and 15 other departments
Senate must approve all nominations – Check and Balance
Factors in choosing cabinet
Experience in Policy
Experience in their area/department
Administrative experience
Manage and supervise many people and programs
Support president’s plans
Loyalty to party and president
Support from various groups
Support from interest groups
Demographic Diversity
Represent different demographics (race/gender/location)

4. Steps in the Process of Appointing Members of the Cabinet
Presidential nomination
White House review
Paperwork financial disclosure
FBI investigation
Senate confirmation hearings
Senate vote (majority needed)
Image credit: Cabinet Seal [Web Graphic]. Retrieved from

5. The First Executive Departments: George Washington’s Presidency
Department of State - Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson
Department of the Treasury - Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton
Department of War - Secretary of Defense Henry Knox
Office of the Attorney General - Edmund Randolph -became the Department of Justice in 1870
Today there are fifteen departments.

6. Presidential Cabinet Today
Secretary of State
Secretary of the Treasury
Attorney General (Justice Dept.)
Secretary of Defense
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
Secretary of Homeland Security

7. Functions and limits of the Cabinet
Advise the president / run the executive branch
Importance?
Some presidents do not rely on their cabinet members.
Lincoln
Some rely heavily on cabinet
FDR
Limitations
Loyalty
President
Officials in their dept.
Members of congress
Special interest groups

8. Executive office of the President
Group of advisers to help the president
Office of management and Budget
Prepares national budget
Each Department submits their budget
OMB reviews and creates national budget
National Security Council
Advise and conduct military action and foreign policy
National Security Advisor – director of National Security Council
Vice President, Secretary of State, Secretary of Treasury, and Secretary of Defense.
Economic Advisers
Nations economic health, plan economic future, fix certain problems.
Members must be confirmed by the Senate

9. Office of the White House
Group of advisers “Inner Circle”
Political strategy, communicate on behalf of the president, run day-to-day operations
People are chosen without Senate approval
VP, Spouse, Friends, Supporters
Chief of Staff – most trust adviser
Oversees operations of the White House
Political strategy, affect of policy decisions
Press Secretary – handle relations with the press
In charge of releasing information to the Press
Steve Bannon
Reince Priebus

10. 11. 2 Cabinet Departments and Agencies
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11. Department of State & Treasury
Handles the foreign policy of the nation
Staffs embassies
Analyzes data about American interests in other nations
Speaks for the United States at the United Nations

12. Department of Homeland Security
Charged with protecting the security of America’s borders, shores, land and the safety of its people
Newest department created in 2002 after September 11, 2001
Image credit: Cabinet Seal [Web Graphic]. Retrieved from
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13. Department of Justice & Defense
Oversees the nation’s legal affairs
Supervises the agencies that serve as the nation’s police and prison system
Enforces antitrust laws
Image credit: Cabinet Seal [Web Graphic]. Retrieved from

14. Department of Interior & Agriculture
Protects the public lands and natural resources throughout the United States
Oversees relationships with American Indian nations
Helps farmers improve incomes and production for home and abroad
Develops conservation programs
Safeguards the nation’s food supply

15. Department of Commerce & Labor
Promotes and protects the industrial and commercial parts of the economy
Carries out the census

16. Department of Health and Human Services & Housing and Urban Development
Oversees programs concerned with health and social services of the American people
Manages federal Medicare and Medicaid

17. Department of Transportation and Energy
Regulates America’s transportation needs, policies and planning
Works to ensure safe, efficient, and convenient land, sea, rail, and air transportation including monitoring inland waterways and highways
Image credit: Cabinet Seal [Web Graphic]. Retrieved from

18. Department of Education & Veteran Affairs
Establishes policy for, administers and coordinates most federal assistance to education, collects data on US schools, and enforces federal educational laws regarding privacy and civil rights
Its mission is: to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access

19. Other Agencies NASA – National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Government Corporations – business that the Federal government runs
FDIC – Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
USPS – United States Postal Service
Commissions –
independent agencies that have government’s authority to issue licenses and punish people
FCC – Federal communication commission
EPA – Environmental Protection Agency
FTC – Federal Trade Commission
FEC – Federal Election Commission

20. 11. 3 Federal Workforce and Civil Service

21. Spoil System & Civil Service
Politician rewarding loyal political supporters
“to the victor goes the Spoil”
Andrew Jackson appointed loyal members of political party
Leads to corruption
Civil Service
Government employment based on competitive exams and merit
Pendleton Act
Hires and employs people who are qualified for the job.
Illegal to hire or fire someone based on political reasons.
Hip Hughes – Spoil System

22. Civil Service Office of Personal Management
Responsible for filling federal jobs
Jobs are attractive to people – many benefits
Health insurance, paid vacations, retirement
Federal employees join unions
Job security – can’t be fired “at will”
Whistleblowers – employees who report corruption by the government
Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act (2012)
Protects whistleblowers from being fired.

23. 11.4 Executive Branch at Work
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24. Public Policy
Public Policy – plan of action adopted by government decision makers
Solve a problem or reach a goal
Different agencies help conduct public policy
Bureaucracy – implement laws created by public policy
Liaison officers
Officers within cabinets
Officer who helps to make sure bills are being passed through congress
Supply information to information to law makers

25. Rules and Policy
Federal Bureaucrats carry out policies Congress makes and signed by the President
Bureaucracy spells out how the law is actually enforced
Rules + regulations
Social Security – financial aid for disabled people
Bureaucrats then have to decide who actually is qualified to receive payments
Input from Citizens
Stakeholders – citizens who are affected by public policy
Law makers publish drafts and receive input from people
Lobbyists + Interest Groups
Injunction – order that will stop an action or enforce a rule or regulation
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26. Size of Bureaucracy Helpful to run the country?
Federal government becoming too large?
Growth of Bureaucracy
Population of the Country
300+ million people – requires government to grow
Industrial and Technology
Urban and technological age
Global Economy
US economy involved with many other nations
National Security
Threats to our nation + international conflicts
Economic Crises
Government creates programs to help stimulate jobs
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27. Interest Groups and Bureaucracy
Government agencies
Iron Triangle
Relationship between three groups that affect public policy
Congressional Committees, Client Groups and Federal department
Makes it difficult for outside voices to be heard
Hard to eliminate agencies
Client Groups – individuals and groups who with the government agency
Most affected by decisions
Influence agencies through lobbyists
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28. Government Regulation
Social Contract Theory
Economy + Environment + Businesses + National Security
Can hurt businesses
Regulations
Protect consumers, workers, environment
“RED TAPE” – burdensome regulations and requirements
Makes it hard to get things done
Deregulate – call for a smaller government
Remove regulations
© 2012, TESCCC