THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH

Part 5Objective: You will be able to list

the different cabinet positions

PRESIDENT’S CABINET

EXECUTIVE OFFICES AKA SECRETARIES Each department is headed by a

secretary, except for the Department of Justice, whose work is directed by the attorney general.

Each department is made up of a number of subunits, both staff and line.

Today, the executive departments vary a great deal in terms of visibility, size, and importance.

The Cabinet is an informal advisory body brought together by the President to serve his needs.

By tradition, the heads of the executive departments form the Cabinet.

The President appoints the head of each of the executive departments, which are then subject to Senate approval.

Cabinet members serve as both head of their respective departments and as advisors to the President.

DEPT. OF STATE (1789)

John Kerry Chief engineer of

American diplomacy

manages American travel overseas.

DEPT. OF TREASURY (1789) Jack Lew Manages federal

finances, collects taxes, produces stamps, and provides government advice on matters of economic policy.

DEPT. OF THE INTERIOR (1849) Ken Salazar Manages

conservation efforts, national parks, and environmental protection.

DEPT. OF JUSTICE (1870) Eric Holder Attorney General Enforces federal

laws by taking offenders to court, investigates and detains offenders through the FBI.

DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE (1889)

Tom Vilsack Oversees national

forests & conservation efforts, responsible for safety of meat, poultry, and egg products

attempts to provide open foreign markets for American agricultural products.

DEPT. OF COMMERCE (1903)

Penny Pritzker

“to foster, serve, and promote the Nation’s economic development and technological development.”

DEPT. OF LABOR (1913)

Thomas Perez Looks out for “job

seekers, wage earners, and retirees” by administering federal labor laws

providing services like connecting potential employers to unemployed workers.

DEPT. OF DEFENSE (1947)

Ashton Carter

Manages the nation’s military

headquartered at the Pentagon.

DEPT. OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (1953)

Sylvia Mathews Burwell

Conducts health research, manages efforts to prevent disease

manages Medicare and Medicaid,

DEPT. OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (1965) Shaun Donovan

Strives to increase domestic homeownership and improve access to affordable housing free of discrimination.

DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION (1966) Anthony Foxx

Manages national transportation infrastructure like highways, air traffic, and railways.

DEPT. OF ENERGY (1977)

Ernest Moniz

Manages the nation’s nuclear weapons and energy

develops energy policies

conducts energy research.

DEPT. OF EDUCATION (1979) Arne Duncan Manages federal

student aid programs

monitors academic performance nationwide

administers federal education legislation

DEPT. OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (1988)

Robert McDonald

Provides for the healthcare, benefits, and memorial service needs of veterans.

DEPT. OF HOMELAND SECURITY (2002)

Jeh Johnson Oversees a wide

range of federal agencies to help them coordinate plans to confront national emergencies and threats to national security.