executive departments executive agencies cabinet pres

ExecutiveDepartments

ExecutiveAgencies

Cabinet

Pres.

Executive Departments

• They are also called “Cabinet Departments”

• The Federal Government’s work is done by the Executive Departments

• 1st 3 departments created by Congress 1789

1) Department of State 2) Department of Treasury 3) Department of Defense

Department Officers and Staff

• Each Department is headed by a Secretary

-Exception is the Dept. of Justice, headed by

the U.S. Attorney General• Heads/officers are the links between

presidential policy and their departments

Departments•Similar setup as a school•Principal = President•Departments (S.S., English,

Math, Science) = Departments•Department Heads =

Secretaries of the Departments

The Cabinet Members

• Informal advisors to the President• They are appointed by the

President (15 separate departments)

*They are subject to confirmation by the

Senate

Cabinet Members cont…

•Cabinet Members have two major roles:

1. Administrators of each department (as individuals)

2. Advisors to the President (as a group)

The Executive DepartmentsState Treasury Defense

Interior Agriculture Justice

Commerce Labor Health

Education Housing Transportation

Energy Veteran’s Affairs

Homeland Security

Dept. of StateOldest Dept. in the Government (1789)

Headed by Secretary of State

Primary purpose is to conduct Foreign Policy

Dept. of State (Cont.)Ambassadors – highest U.S. officials in foreign countries.

Embassy – official residence and offices of ambassadors

Passport – allow U.S. citizens to travel abroad

Visas – allow foreigners to come to the United States

Dept. of Treasury2nd oldest Dept. in the

Government (1789)

Primary purpose is to conduct the government’s fiscal & monetary policy

Taxes, Printing Money, ETC...

Dept. of DefenseFormed in 1949 (combined

the Dept. of Navy & Army)

Primary purpose is to direct and control the armed forces.

Joint Chiefs of Staff- highest ranking military officers of the army, navy and air force

advise the President

Dept. of Justice1870 – Replaced the Dept. of the Attorney General

Headed by the Attorney General

Only Dept. not led by a Secretary

Primary purpose is to enforce all federal laws

Dept. of AgricultureEstablished in 1889

Known primarily as the U.S.D.A.

Food Safety – nutrition labels

Drug Safety

Farm regulations

Dept. of LaborEstablished in 1913

Protects the American Workers

Minimum Wage

Occupational Health & Safety Administration (O.S.H.A.)

Safety in workplace

Dept. of Homeland Security

Established in 2002 (Newest)

Started as a result of 9/11/01

Goal is to prevent terrorist attacks in the United States

Coast Guard, Secret Service, Customs, Nuclear/Chemical & Biological weapons agencies included also

ExecutiveDepartments

ExecutiveAgencies

Cabinet

Pres.

Independent Agencies• More than 65• All created by congress for a

specific job• Help the President carry out the

duties of his office.• Different from departments

because they perform specialized duties.

Independent Agencies• N.A.S.A. (National Aeronautics

and Space Administration) – runs the space program

• OPM (Office of Personnel Management) – tests people who want jobs in the federal government

• General Services Administration – buys supplies for the government

Regulatory Commissions

• An independent agency that has the power to make rules and bring violators to court

• Decisions often have the force of law.

• Independent so they have the freedom to do their jobs.

Regulatory Commissions

• FEC (Federal Election Commission) – enforces the Federal Campaign Act. Determines how federal campaigns are financed, election laws and other campaign issues.

Regulatory Commissions

• CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) – sets and enforces safety standards for consumer products.

• NLRB (National Labor Relations Board) - enforces federal labor laws. Prevents and remedies unfair labor practices among businesses.

Regulatory Commissions

• SEC (Securities Exchange Commission) – enforces laws regulating the selling of stocks and bonds.