Gov Departments of the Executive Branch

Executive Departments

Heads of which make up the President’s

Cabinet

Are called Secretaries

i.e.; Secretary of _________________

Exception: Head of Justice Dept. is called the

Attorney General

Nominated by the President, confirmed by the

Senate

Department of State

Represents U.S. interests abroad

and Advises the President on foreign

policy issues

Department of Treasury

Coins Money

Collect Taxes

Includes Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

Borrows money and manages public

debt

Department of Defense

Provides military forces

Army

Navy

Marines

Air Force

Joint Chiefs of Staff

Department of Justice

Enforces federal law

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

Represents U.S. Government in court

Operates federal prisons

Department of Interior

Manages federal lands

Protects natural resources

Bureau of Indian Affairs

Department of Agriculture

Assists farmers and ranchers

Inspects food

Administers food stamp & school

lunch programs

Department of Commerce

Promotes trade and economic

growth

Issues patents

Conducts census

Department of Labor

Enforces federal employment laws

Administers unemployment

programs

Department of Health & Human

Services

Funds medical research

Administers Medicare & Medicaid

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Department of Housing & Urban

Development

Operates public housing programs

Enforces fair housing laws

Department of Transportation

Promotes and regulates systems of

transportation

Federal Aviation Administration

(FAA)

Department of Energy

In charge of production and research

of nuclear weapons

Researches new and more efficient

energy sources

Department of Education

Administers federal aid to schools

Conducts educational research

Department of Veterans Affairs

Cares for national cemeteries

Administers health and benefit

programs for veterans

Department of Homeland Security

In charge of border and

transportation security

Operates federal emergency

preparedness and response system

Includes Coast Guard and Secret

Service