History >> US Government
United States Government
The US Cabinet
The Cabinet is a group of the President's top advisors. It is made up of the heads of the 15 main executive departments. Each of the department heads has the title Secretary, like Secretary of Defense or Secretary of Education, except for the head of the Justice Department who is called the Attorney General.
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Cabinet members are chosen by the president and the confirmed by the Senate. The president can also remove cabinet members at any time. The Cabinet members are some of the most powerful people in the United States and each of their departments is important in the running of our country.
The Cabinet has a long history all the way back to the first President, George Washington. President Washington appointed a Cabinet of four people to help and advise him. The first Cabinet included Thomas Jefferson (Secretary of State), Alexander Hamilton (Secretary of the Treasury), Henry Knox (Secretary of War), and Edmund Randolph (Attorney General).
President Obama and Cabinet
by Chuck Kennedy
Below is a list of the different departments and a short description of each:
Department of Agriculture
You may know this department by it's shortened name, the USDA. The USDA plays an important role in overseeing farming and our food. They make sure that our food is safe and properly grown and prepared. They also make sure that our land is protected and that farmers can successfully grow food to feed the nation.
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Department of Commerce
This department works on promoting the nation's economy. They do this by running programs that help technological innovation, supporting business and industry, and issuing patents and trademarks. The Department of Commerce also assists in international trade agreements and runs our telecommunications and technical policies.
Department of Defense
This department provides the military that defends our country. It includes the Army, Navy, and Air Force. It is headquartered at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. The Department of Defense (DOD) is the government's largest agency.
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Department of Education
This Department of Education promotes national education and works to keep America competitive and to make sure that education is available to everyone. The department works closely with the states to place financial aid and help where needed the most.
Department of Energy
The Department of Energy is often called the DOE. The DOE works to advance the national, economic, and energy security of the United States. It helps to find new sources of clean, reliable energy through helping with scientific research and innovation.
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Department of Health and Human Services
This department helps to keep Americans healthy. It helps with administering Medicare and Medicaid. Some major agencies report into this department including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Department of Homeland Security
This is a new department that was formed in 2002 by President George W. Bush after the 9/11 attacks. Its job is to prevent and disrupt terrorist attacks within the United States.
Department of Housing and Urban Development
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This department works on national housing needs. It helps poorer families to buy homes. It is often referred to by its initials HUD.
Department of the Interior
This department handles the conservation of our land. It manages our national parks and works to protect our lands, wildlife, and natural resources.
Department of Justice
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The job of the Department of Justice is to enforce the law and to protect public safety. It makes sure that criminals are prosecuted and that all Americans get fair justice. Some of the organizations included in this department include the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the US Marshals.
Department of Labor
This department is responsible for making sure America has a strong workforce. It works on job training, safe working conditions, minimum wage, discrimination in the workplace, and unemployment insurance.
Department of State
The Department of State handles our relationships with foreign countries. This includes diplomatic relationships with over 180 other countries. The Secretary of State is the President's top foreign advisor.
Department of Transportation
The DOT makes sure that there is fast and safe transportation around the United States. This is important for our economy and quality of life. They manage Federal Highways, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) which makes sure flying is safe.
Department of the Treasury
This department manages the money for the United State financial systems. It not only makes the money, but collects taxes and makes sure that the government has the money to keep running.
Department of Veteran's Affairs
This department administers benefit programs for our veterans. This is to make sure that people who served in battle for the United States are taken care of once they are back home.
what do they do
Cabinet Department
Department of State
Department of the Treasury
Department of the Interior
Department of Agriculture
Department of Justice
Department of Labor
Department of Commerce
Department of Defense
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Department of Transportation
Department of Energy
Department of Education
Department of Health and Human Services
Department of Veterans Affairs
Department of Homeland Security
Each department in the Cabinet has specific responsibilities and duties that contribute to the functioning of the United States government. Here is a summary of what each department does:
1. Department of State: Handles foreign policy and diplomacy, oversees international relations, and represents the United States at the United Nations and other international organizations.
2. Department of the Treasury: Manages the nation's finances, including collecting taxes, overseeing the production of currency, and maintaining economic stability.
3. Department of the Interior: Protects natural resources and manages public lands, national parks, wildlife conservation, and Native American affairs.
4. Department of Agriculture: Promotes and regulates agricultural production, ensuring the safety of food and agriculture products, and supporting farmers and rural communities.
5. Department of Justice: Enforces federal laws, responsible for prosecuting crimes, protecting civil rights, providing legal advice to the President, and maintaining the federal prison system.
6. Department of Labor: Promotes the welfare of workers and improves working conditions, regulates workplace safety, enforces labor laws, and administers unemployment insurance and job training programs.
7. Department of Commerce: Promotes economic growth, supports businesses, and enforces regulations related to trade and intellectual property. Also oversees the Census Bureau and the National Weather Service.
8. Department of Defense: Protects the United States through military defense and oversees the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps.
9. Department of Housing and Urban Development: Works to address housing needs, provides assistance to low-income individuals, and develops policies and initiatives to revitalize urban communities.
10. Department of Transportation: Ensures a safe, efficient, and accessible transportation system in the United States, including highways, aviation, railways, and waterways.
11. Department of Energy: Advances energy technology, research, and conservation efforts, promotes renewable and clean energy sources, and manages the nation's nuclear weapons program.
12. Department of Education: Oversees federal education policies, administers financial aid programs, promotes educational excellence, and ensures equal access to education.
13. Department of Health and Human Services: Protects the public health, provides healthcare programs and services, administers Medicare and Medicaid, conducts medical research, and supports social service programs.
14. Department of Veterans Affairs: Provides benefits and healthcare services to veterans, ensures their rights are protected, and manages national cemeteries.
15. Department of Homeland Security: Coordinates efforts to prevent and respond to domestic and international threats, including terrorism, natural disasters, and cybersecurity. Oversees agencies such as the Coast Guard, Secret Service, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).