The President's Cabinet
The purpose of the Cabinet is to advise the President
on matters relating to the duties of their respective offices. As the
President's closest and most trusted advisors, members of the Cabinet
attend weekly meetings with the President. The Constitution does not
directly mention a "Cabinet," but the Constitutional authority
for a Cabinet is found in Article II, Section 2. The Constitution states
that the President "may require the opinion, in writing of the
principle officer in each of the executive departments, upon any subject
relating to the duties of their respective offices." The Constitution
does not say which or how many executive departments should be created.
Who makes up the Cabinet?
The Cabinet traditionally includes the Vice President and the heads
of 15 executive departments-the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce,
Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security,
Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, State, Transportation,
Treasury, and Veterans Affairs, and the Attorney General. Cabinet-level
rank has also been given to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection
Agency; the Director of the Office of Management and Budget; the Director
of the National Drug Control Policy; the Assistant to the President
for Homeland Security; and the U.S. Trade Representative.
When requested by the President, other officials
are asked to attend these weekly meetings including, the President's
Chief of Staff, the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, the
Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors, the Counselor to the President,
the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Administrator
of the Small Business Administration, and the U.S. Representative to
the United Nations.
How does one become a member of the Cabinet?
The 15 Secretaries from the executive departments are appointed by the
President, and they must be confirmed by a majority vote (51 votes)
of the Senate. They cannot be a member of Congress or hold any other
elected office. Cabinet appointments are for the duration of the administration,
but the President may dismiss any member at any time, without approval
of the Senate. In addition, they are expected to resign when a new President
takes office.
The following is a list of
the current heads of the 15 executive department agencies, their department,
when that department was created, and a brief description of the department
from the United
States Government Manual. The list is organized by order
of succession. More information about each department can be found in
the United States Government Manual on GPO Access. Clicking on
the name of the department will take you to that department's Web site.
State
| Treasury | Defense
| Justice | Interior
| Agriculture | Commerce
| Labor | Health & Human Services
Housing & Urban Development | Transportation
| Energy | Education
| Veterans Affairs | Homeland
Security
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Secretary of State
Department
of State (1789):
Handles foreign affairs and relationships with other nations. It
makes recommendations on foreign policy, negotiates treaties, speaks
for the United States in the United Nations, and represents the
United States at international conferences. back
to list |
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Secretary of the Treasury
Department
of the Treasury (1789):
Formulates and recommends economic, financial, tax, and fiscal
policies; serves as financial agent for the US Government; enforces
the law; and manufactures coins and currency. back
to list |
|
Secretary of Defense
Department
of Defense (1947):
Provides the military forces needed to deter war and to protect
the security of the United States. The Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines,
Coast Guard, National Guard, and Reserve Forces are part of this
Department. back to list |
|
Attorney General
Department
of Justice (1870):
Enforces and defends the Federal laws of the United States by preventing
and controlling crime, seeking just punishment for those guilty
of unlawful behavior; and enforcing the Nation's immigration laws.
back to list |
|
Secretary of the Interior
Department
of the Interior (1849):
Oversees national conservation efforts and is responsible for most
of our nationally owned public lands, natural resources, and wildlife.
back to list |
|
Secretary of Agriculture
Department
of Agriculture (1862):
Ensures a safe, affordable, nutritious, and accessible food supply;
cares for agriculture, forest, and range lands; supports the development
of rural communities; and provides economic development for farmers
and rural residents. back to list |
|
Secretary of Commerce
Department
of Commerce (1903):
Promotes economic, business, and job opportunities for all Americans.
It is responsible for all copyrights, patents, and trademarks. It
also plays a major role in Federal government matters related to
oceans, weather, and technology. back to list |
|
Secretary of Labor
Department
of Labor (1913):
Oversees the interests of US workers by protecting workers' wages,
health and safety employment and pension rights; promoting equal
employment opportunity; and administering job training, unemployment
insurance, and workers' compensation programs. back
to list |
|
Secretary of Health & Human Services
Department
of Health and Human Services (1953):
Protects the health of all Americans and provides essential human
services. The duties of the Department include conducting medical
research, preventing the outbreak of diseases, assuring the safety
of food and drugs; administering financial assistance for low income
families; protecting against child and domestic abuse; and protecting
against drug abuse. back to list |
|
Secretary of Housing & Development
Department
of Housing and Urban Development (1965):
Aims to create a decent, safe, and sanitary home and living environment
for every American. It is responsible for home ownership programs,
providing housing assistance for low income persons, helping the
homeless, and promoting growth and development in distressed neighborhoods.
back to list |
|
Secretary of Transportation
Department
of Transportation (1966):
Ensures a fast, safe, efficient, accessible and convenient transportation
system. This includes transportation of people and goods by car,
plane, train, and ship. It is also responsible for maintaining the
Federal highway system. back to list |
|
Secretary of Energy
Department
of Energy (1977):
Researches and develops reliable energy systems that are friendly
to the environment, but are not too expensive. It is also responsible
for the Nation's nuclear energy and weapons technologies.
back to list |
|
Secretary of Education
Department
of Education (1979):
Establishes guidelines and provides leadership to address American
education. It helps local communities meet the needs of their students.
It also helps individuals pay for college and prepare for employment.
back to list |
|
Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Department
of Veterans Affairs (1988):
Acts as the principal advocate for veterans and their families ensuring
that they receive medical care, benefits, social support, and lasting
memorials recognizing their service. back to
list |
|
Secretary of Homeland Security
Department
of Homeland Security (2003):
Works to prevent terrorist attacks within the United States, reduce
America's vulnerability to terrorism, and minimize the damage
from potential attacks and natural disasters. |
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