1. Presidential Advisors and Executive Agencies

2. Organization of the Federal Branch
The president’s administration is called the Executive Office of the President
The core of the EOP is the White House Office
Comprised of about 50 people who work directly for the president
About 10 to 12 are presidents closest political advisors
Chief of Staff is most powerful of White House Office

3. National Security Council
helps president direct military and foreign policy;
includes the vice president, secretaries of state and defense, chairman of joints Chief of staff and top commander from each armed service
The NSC also advises the CIA

4. Other offices Office of Administration
Provides administrative and business services to the executive offices
Also help people in search of records under the freedom of information act
Council of Economic Advisors
helps the president carry out role as economic leader

5. The Cabinet
The cabinet is a group of presidential advisers that includes the heads of the 14 top level executive departments
The Department of Homeland Security is the most recent department created
The head of the Department of Justice is called the attorney general, all other dept heads are called secretaries

6. Cabinet Responsibilities
The cabinet members advise the president on issues related to their department
The cabinet was created by George Washington who began to meet with the head of the first department which was the attorney general and secretaries of state, war, and treasury
Cabinet meets whenever president needs them

7. VP and First Ladies
VP usually is not given much authority, but do help to advise the president
Role of the first lady is not mentioned in the Constitution, however many first ladies have been influential

8. Federal Bureaucracy
The federal bureaucracy is the agencies and employees of the executive branch
People who work in the federal bureaucracy are called bureaucrats
3 Basic Jobs:
Puts in to action the laws Congress makes
Administer day to day operations of the federal government
Regulate activities such as broadcasting companies, banks, labor unions

9. Independent Agencies
The executive branch includes hundreds of independent agencies which include:
Executive agencies
Government corporations
Regulatory commissions

10. Executive Agencies
Independent agencies responsible for dealing with specialized areas within government
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

11. Government Corporations
Similar to private corporations, except the government rather than individual people own them
President picks who will run the corporation with Senate approval
US Postal Service

12. Regulatory Boards and Commissions
Supposed to protect the public
Do not report to the president, Congress has to remove them by impeachment
Enforce rules for certain industries or groups
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) makes broadcasting rules for nations TV and radio stations

13. Government workers Executive branch has thousands of employees
political appointees
people chosen by the president because they supported presidents campaign or proven executive ability; leave when president’s term is over
Civil Service Workers make majority of government employees; doctors, lawyers and others who attain job by merit

14. Civil Service System
Before 1883, government jobs went to people as a reward for their political support, which is known as the Spoils System
Caused abuse of the system and after President Garfield was assassinated because a man was refused a government job
Pendleton Act,
limits the amount of jobs the president can hand out to friends