1. The Presidents Cabinet

2. The Constitution makes no mention of the Cabinet, nor did Congress create it. Instead, the Cabinet is the product of custom and usage. George Washington appointed four people to the first four executive posts 1.Secretary of State 2.Secretary of the Treasury 3.Secretary of War 4.Attorney General

3. Secretary of State – Condoleezza Rice advises the President on foreign policy represents the U.S. abroad and in international organizations negotiates agreements with foreign countries

4. Secretary of the Treasury – Henry Paulson dept. produces coins, bills borrows $ and manages public debt enforces alcohol, tobacco, and firearms laws

5. Secretary of Defense – Robert Gates dept. provides military forces to deter war and protects the nations security

6. Attorney General – Michael Mukasey dept. provides legal advice to President represents U.S. in court oversees immigration and naturalization enforces federal laws operates federal prisons

7. Secretary of the Interior – Dirk Kempthorne manages public lands, wildlife refuges, and national parks operates hydroelectric power plants helps Native Am. manage their affairs

8. Secretary of Agriculture – Ed Schafer manages national forests assists farmers and ranchers administers food stamps and school lunch programs inspects food

9. Secretary of Commerce – Carlos Gutierrez conducts census grants patents and registers trademarks promotes international trade, economic growth, & technological development

10. Secretary of Labor – Elaine Chao enforces federal laws on minimum wages, maximum hours and safe working conditions operates job training programs administers unemployment insurance & workers compensation programs

11. Secretary of Health and Human Services – Mike Leavitt funds health care research programs conducts programs to prevent and control disease enforces pure food and drug laws administers Medicare and Medicaid

12. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development – acting secretary Roy Bernardi operates home- financing and public housing programs enforces fair housing laws

13. Secretary of Transportation – Mary Peters administers programs to regulate highways, mass transit, railroads, waterways, air travel, and oil and gas pipelines enforces maritime (sea) law

14. Secretary of Energy – Samuel Bodman promotes production of renewable energy, fossil fuels, & nuclear energy transmits & sells hydroelectric power conducts nuclear weapons research and production

15. Secretary of Education – Margaret Spellings administers federal aid to schools conducts educational research

16. Secretary of Veterans Affairs – Dr. James Peake administers benefits, pensions, and medical programs for veterans of armed forces oversees military cemeteries

17. Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff established a National Counterterrorism Center established a Domestic Nuclear Detection Office appointed a Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board

18. Cabinet-level posts Vice President: Dick Cheney Chief of Staff: Josh Bolten Environmental Protection Agency: Steve Johnson Office of Management and Budget: Jim Nussle Office of National Drug Control Policy: John Walters U.S. Trade Representative: Susan Schwab