1. SSCG11: Explain the functions of the departments and agencies of the federal bureaucracy. .
SSCG11a: Compare and contrast the organization and responsibilities of independent regulatory agencies, government corporations, and executive agencies.

2. Bureaucracy
A bureaucracy is a large, complex administrative structure that handles the everyday business of an organization.
The United States’ federal government is the largest organization in the country. When many Americans hear the word ‘bureaucracy’, they automatically think of red tape and delays.
A bureaucracy is a method of organizing large organizations. There are both public and private bureaucracies.

3. Independent regulatory agencies
Independent regulatory agencies are federal organizations are independent from the three branches of government; they operate independently and are not under the direct control of the president.
These agencies are created to regulate certain aspects of the nation’s economy and exercise authority over certain aspects of activity to protect consumers.
Examples include: the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These agencies act as ‘watchdogs’.

4. Government corporations
Government corporations do not belong to any department. Government corporations are created by Congress and are set up to perform business of the federal government; they operate much like a regular corporation operates. They charge fees and compete with private businesses.
Examples include: the U.S. Postal Service, Amtrak, and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Government corporations are run by a board of directors and have a general manager who directs the day-to-day operations, as directed by the board of directors. Congress decides the purpose for each and the functions that the government corporation can perform.

5. Executive agencies
Executive agencies are organized much like the Cabinet departments but are not part of the President’s Cabinet. They are given extremely important public tasks to perform, such as NASA.
They range in size; some of the smaller executive agencies include: The Civil Rights Commission and The National Transportation and Safety Board.

6. Students will use online research, including websites and current online newspaper articles, to identify the role of each agency selected for this activity.
The student groups will research the purpose of their assigned agency or corporation, including date it was created, why it was created, whether it is an independent regulatory agency or a government corporation, and what sector the agency or corporation is responsible for regulating or operating.
Each group will create a multimedia presentation (PowerPoint or Prezi) to share with the class. The presentation should include a minimum of 6 slides and no more than 10 slides.
You may use the independent regulatory agencies and government corporations below:
Federal Trade Commission
Environmental Protection Agency
Food and Drug Administration
Tennessee Valley Authority
Amtrak
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

7. SSCG11b: Explain the functions of the President’s cabinet.
SSCG11: Explain the functions of the departments and agencies of the federal bureaucracy.
SSCG11b: Explain the functions of the President’s cabinet.

8. President’s Cabinet
The cabinet is an informal advisory committee comprised of the heads of the 15 cabinet departments, the Vice President of the United States, the White House Chief of Staff, and few others chosen by the President. The members of the cabinet serve as advisors and experts.
The President appoints the heads of the 15 cabinet departments, and the Senate must approve the presidential nominations. There are several factors that influence the President’s choices for department heads: party, loyal supporters of the President, and professional qualifications.
Cabinet members have two main duties:
1) function as the administrative head of one of the executive cabinet departments.
2) together they serve as the primary advisors to the President.
administration/the-cabinet/

9. The President’s Cabinet
What do they do?
How are they selected?
Who are they?

10. Interesting Facts about Presidential Cabinets
George Washington’s top two advisors, Jefferson and Hamilton, disagreed so bitterly that political parties formed around these two men.
Andrew Jackson preferred a group of informal advisors known as the “Kitchen Cabinet”.
Abraham Lincoln once took a vote in which the seven members unanimously opposed him. He said, “Seven nays, one aye, the ayes have it.”
John F. Kennedy paid more attention to the advice of his brother, Robert, who served as Attorney General, than his formal Cabinet.
Ronald Reagan held Cabinet meetings an average of twice a week to stay informed.
© 2012, TESCCC

11. 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.
© 2012, TESCCC

12. 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

13. Department of State Handles the foreign policy of the nation
Staffs embassies
Analyzes data about American interests in other nations
Speaks for the U.S. at the United Nations

14. Department of the Treasury
Serves as the financial division of the government
Manages public debt
Collects taxes
Manufactures coins and currency
Administers explosive and firearm laws
Regulates the production and distribution of alcohol and tobacco

15. Department of Justice Oversees the nation’s legal affairs
Supervises the agencies that serve as the nation’s police and prison system
Enforces antitrust laws

16. Department of Defense Protects the security of the United States
Oversees the armed forces through the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Until 1949 was called the Department of War

17. Department of Interior
Protects the public lands and natural resources throughout the U.S.
Oversees relationships with Native Americans

18. Department of Interior
Protects the public lands and natural resources throughout the U.S.
Oversees relationships with Native Americans
Secretary of Interior: Ryan Zinke
Order of PS:8th

19. Department of Agriculture
Helps farmers improve incomes and production for home and abroad
Develops conservation programs
Safeguards the nation’s food supply

20. Department of Commerce
Promotes and protects the industrial and commercial parts of the economy
Carries out the census

21. Department of Labor Ensures safe working conditions
Oversees minimum wages and protects pensions
Collects and analyzes data on employment

22. Department of Health and Human Services
Oversees programs concerned with health and social services of the American people
Manages federal medicare and medicaid

23. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Works to assist communities in the nation
Ensures equal housing opportunities

24. Department of Transportation
Regulates America’s transportation needs, policies and planning
Works to ensure safe, efficient, and convenient land and air transportation

25. Department of Energy Plans energy policy
Researches and develops energy technology

26. Department of Education
Coordinates federal assistance programs for public and private schools.
Develops programs to help students with limited English proficiency and physically challenged students.

27. Department of Veterans Affairs
Oversees medical care for veterans and families.
Manages educational programs for veterans.

28. 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 after September 11, 2001

29. Other Cabinet Rank Members
The Vice President
Head of the Office of Management and Budget
Head of the Environmental Protection Agency
White House Chief of Staff
United States Trade Representative
Head of the Office of National Drug Control Policy

30. 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)

31. President’s Cabinet
Students will create a multimedia presentation on the President’s cabinet. There should be one slide for each cabinet position. Each slide should include: The title of the cabinet position, where it falls in the order of presidential succession, and who currently holds the leadership positions. At the beginning of the presentation, students should describe the responsibilities of the department the person represents and list how a cabinet head is appointed (including the nomination by the president, the hearings, and the approval of the Senate.