1. Government at Work: The Bureaucracy
Chapter 15

2. The Cabinet Departments
Section 3
The Cabinet Departments

3. Executive Departments
15 executive departments perform most of the work of the federal government.
Each is headed by a secretary except for the Justice Department (attorney general)
Department heads serve in president’s cabinet
Serve as a link between presidential policy and his/her own department.
Each department is divided into various subunits
May have regional or district offices throughout the country.

5. The Cabinet
Informal advisory body brought together by the President to serve his needs.
Heads of the 15 executive departments and other top advisors.
Cabinet officials are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

6. Choosing Cabinet Officials
Political Party Affiliation
Professional qualifications and practical experience.
Interest Groups
Gender, Race, Management abilities, experience, and personality all play a role.

7. The Cabinet’s Role
Individually – Each member acts as the head of one of the Executive Departments
Collectively – They act as an advisory board for the President
Created through custom – not mentioned in Constitution.
As time had gone on, this body has become less important in the President’s administration.