The Cabinet

ObjectivesEssential Questions 1 & 8

1. Be able to explain the organization of the Executive Branch, and how the Cabinet fits into that organization.

2. What is the function of the Cabinet?3. Be able to describe why the Cabinet is

important as well as how it has changed throughout history.

The Cabinet OverviewThe purpose of the Cabinet is to advise the president on matters relating to the responsibilities of their respective offices. The Cabinet includes the vice president and the heads (the different Secretaries) of the 15 different executive departments.

Constitutionality?????The Cabinet was never formally addressed in the Constitution.After Washington’s election, Congress created the Department of State (Jefferson) Department of War (Knox) Department of the Treasury

(Hamilton) Attorney General (Randolph)

Article II, Section 2, Clause 1

“… he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices …”

Constitutionality? Continued

Article II, Section 2, Clause 2“… he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.”

The Cabinet has Developed over the years as a result of Congressional creation. Based off of the

wording in the Constitution.

Barack Obama’s Cabinet15 major department heads advising the President

Plus the Vice President.

“Inner Cabinet”1. Secretary of State2. Secretary of Defense3. The Attorney General4. Secretary of The Treasury

Secretary of State Hillary

Clinton

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta Attorney General

Eric HolderSecretary of the Treasury

Tim Geithner

Key Members of President Obama’s Cabinet

There are currently 15 cabinet departments

Steps in the Process of Appointing Members of the

Cabinet1. Presidential Nomination2. White House Review3. Paperwork: Financial Disclosure4. FBI Investigation5. Senate Confirmation Hearings6. Senate Vote

• (Simple Majority Needed [51])

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.