Chapter 6: The Executive Branch

1. Section 3: Executive Departments and the Cabinet pp. 153-161 Chapter 6:The Executive Branch

2. Reading Focus • The duties of the executive branch of the federal government has grown since its birth. • The President used a few assistants at first but now uses thousands of people to assist him/her in running the government.

3. Executive Office of the President • The President’s closest advisers and aides are part of the Executive Office of the President. It was established in 1939. • These people advise the president • Council of Economic Advisers: help inform about the economy. • Office of Management and Budget: help prepare a federal budget (income and spending). • National Security Council: top advisers on all matters involving defense and security.

4. Office of National Drug Control Policy: try to stop the use of illegal drugs. • Council of Environmental Quality: monitors the environment. • Besides these advisers, the office also includes researches, clerical stuff, social secretaries, and the president’s doctor. • These people are important to the president. Write speeches, make the schedule, represent the president in the media, help maintain good relations, etc.

5. Executive Departments • The Constitution makes no mention of the president’s assistants except that “he may require the opinion, in writing, of the principal officer in each of the executive departments.” • There are 15 Executive Departments in the federal government (pg. 158). • Congress has the power to establish executive departments, to reorganize and combine different departments, or even eliminate a department. • The President advises Congress on this and has the power to direct the executive departments.

6. The Cabinet • George Washington had the help of only 5 executive departments. He met with them regularly and became known as his cabinet. • The Cabinet consists of the 15 heads of the executive departments and any other officials the president chooses. This is usually the VP, and the president leads these meetings. • The President appoints the members of the cabinet and the Senate must approve them with a majority vote. Most of the cabinet members carry the title, secretary (except the head of the Department of Justice is known as the attorney general).

7. Department of State • Foreign policy is the special responsibility of this department. The Secretary of State controls many officials who work abroad and represent the US. • Ambassadors are the highest ranking US rep’s in foreign countries. The official residence and offices of an ambassador in a foreign country are called an embassy. • In smaller countries, ministers, or diplomatic ministers (below ambassadors) represent the US.

8. Consuls represent the US commercial interests in foreign countries. A US consul’s office, or consulate, can be found in most large foreign cities. • Try to promote foreign trade with the US • Protect US citizens who conduct business and own property in foreign countries. • Department of State is the keeper of the Great Seal of the US. This is put on all laws and treaties. • It issues passports and visas (passports are formal documents that allow US citizens to travel abroad and visas allow foreigners to come to the US).

9. Department of the Treasury • Manages the country’s money. • It collects taxes from citizens and businesses and pays out the money owed by the federal government. • It borrows money for the government, coins and prints money, and keeps the president informed about the economic condition of the country. • One division of this is the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) who collects income taxes • Custom Service collects taxes on goods brought into the country. • The Secret Service protects the president and helps prevent counterfeiting (fake money).

10. Department of Defense • In 1947, Congress placed the army, navy, and air force under this department. • The department’s head is always a civilian (nonmilitary person) but has many military officers advising him/her. • Army: commands land forces • Navy: commands seagoing forces (supervises the Coast Guard during times of war) • Air Force: responsible for air defense • US Marine Corps: first in to battle • All led by civilian secretaries.

11. The highest ranking military officers of the army, navy, and air force form the Joint Chiefs of Staff. They advise the president. • Head of Marines is not an official member, but attends all meetings and advises also • The department runs 4 officer training schools (US Military Academy at West Point, US Naval Academy at Annaplis, US Air Force Academy, and the US Coast Guard Academy). • Must be nominated to attend by a district representative or a senator • Successful candidate receive a free 4 year college education and upon graduation becomes an officer in one of the military services. Since 1976, women have been admitted into all service academies.

12. Department of Justice • Led by the attorney general, enforces laws. • It defends the US in court when a lawsuit is brought against the federal government. • The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is an important agency within. It investigates crimes in which federal government laws are broken and arrests those accused of crimes against the US. • The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and the Federal Bureau of Prisons are also agencies in this department.

13. Department of the Interior • Manages the nation’s natural resources. • It encourages the wise use of land, minerals, water, fish, and wildlife. • Also manages national parks and federal dams • Bureau of Indian Affairs handles matters involving American Indians. • Bureau of Reclamation sponsors irrigation, food control, and hydroelectric power projects • Also National Park Service, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

14. Department of Agriculture • Helps farmers raise and market crops. • Includes the Agricultural Research Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service which encourage better farming methods. • Also prepares reports on market conditions for crops and livestock to assist in planning. • Farm Service Agency (FSA) provides loans for buying and operating farms. • USDA Forest Service helps protect the nation’s woodlands. • Food and Nutrition Service manages the Food Stamp and National School Lunch programs.

15. Department of Commerce • Encourages American trade and business. • An agency is the Bureau of Economic Analysis that studies business conditions in the US. • Minority Business Development Agency assists in creating and strengthening minority owned businesses. • Patent and Trademark Office protects the rights of inventors. • International Trade Administration promotes world trade. • US Census Bureau which counts the population every 10 years • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration monitors and forecasts the country’s weather.

16. Department of Labor • Gathers information on working conditions in various businesses and industries. • Employment Standards Administration is responsible for carrying out federal laws that regulate the wages and hours of workers (also tries to improve working conditions). • Bureau of Labor Statistics collects information about and reports on employment and labor-management relations. • Women’s Bureau is responsible for promoting the employment opportunities and personal well-being of working women.

17. Other Executive Departments • Health and Human Services: • Runs programs to promote the health and well-being of all citizens. • Created out of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, and its largest division, Social Security Administration is now independent. • Housing and Urban Development (HUD): • Seeks to improve housing conditions in US cities. • Runs programs to help people buy homes, and it helps city and state governments provide public housing and improve neighborhoods.

18. Transportation: • Helps coordinate and develop the country’s ground, water, and air transportation systems. • Promotes public safety and deals with mass transportation issues. • Coast Guard is part of this during peace times. • Energy: • Helps plan and manage US energy policy. • Tries to lessen the amount of energy that is wasted in the US. • Responsible for enforcing energy laws. • Regulates the development and use of nuclear and hydroelectric power, gas, and oil pipelines and other energy resources.

19. Education: • Provides advice and information to the country’s school systems. • Responsible for distributing federal funds and administering federal school programs. • Veterans Affairs: • Replaced the Veterans Admin (VA) • Responsible for administering government benefits to US veterans and their families (health care, pensions, and education loans).

20. Homeland Security: • Created in 2002. • It was created in response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the US. • The primary responsibilities of protecting the territory of the United States and protectorates from and responding to terrorist attacks, man-made accidents, and natural disasters.