EXECUTIVE BRANCHDEPARTMENTS, CABINET,
AGENCIES, AND COMMISSIONS
Civics
Mr. Zimmer
The Executive Departments and the Cabinet The President is assisted
by an office staff and 15 cabinet departments
Each department has specific duties
Experts help each department develop policy and plans for the government
The State Department and the Department of Defense are the two most important Cabinets
State Department Ambassadors are the
highest ranking U.S. Representatives in foreign countries
An embassy building houses the offices and living quarters for our foreign diplomats
A consulate represents the U.S. business interests in a foreign country
Department of Defense The Secretary of
Defense is always a civilian
The Joint Chiefs of Staff consist of the highest ranking military officers from each branch of the military
The Pentagon houses the offices of the Department of Defense
Independent Agencies and Regulatory Commissions
There are 65 independent agencies and regulatory commissions in the federal government
These include the Food and Drug Administration, Consumer Protection Agency, NASA, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
The are independent and their rulings have the effect of law.