“Executive Departments & Cabinet”
“Independent Agencies and Regulatory
Commissions
Helping the President
Helping the President

To help the president
with all of his/her
many tasks, the
“Executive Office of
the President”
(“EOP”) was created
in 1939.
 This includes advisors,
clerks, secretaries, and
other specialists.
The “E.O.P”

The “EOP” has
approximately 2,000
employees and
operates on a budget
of over $100 million
dollars per year.
The “E.O.P”
“White House Office”
The “White House Office”, also
known as the “White House
Staff”, has a staff of over 500
people who work directly for the
president.
 It is lead by the “chief of staff”,
who is the most powerful
member of this staff.
 This office determines who can
see the president and reads most
of the reports and letters sent to
the president.

“Office of Management and
Budget” (“OMB”)

The “Office of
Management and
Budget” (“OMB”)
helps prepare the
president’s budget and
helps monitor
hundreds of
government agencies.
“National Security Council”
(“NSC”)
The “National Security
Council” (“NSC”) helps the
president coordinate military
and foreign policy.

This department is made
up of :
– Vice President
– Secretary of State
– Secretary of Defense
– Joint Chiefs of Staff
“National Security Council”
(“NSC”)

The “Joint Chiefs
of Staff” is made
up of the top
commanders of
each branch of the
U.S. military.
“Office of Administration”
The “Office of
Administration”
assists the president.
 It’s main task is to
help people who
request information
under the “Freedom
of Information Act”

“Council of Economic Advisers”
(“CEA”)

The “Council of
Economic
Advisers” (“CEA”)
helps the president
carry out the role of
economic leader.
“The Cabinet”

The “Cabinet” is a group of advisors that
include the heads of the 15 executive
departments.
Department of Homeland Security
“The Cabinet”

The advisors all
carry the title of
“secretary”.
 The only exception
is the head of the
Department of
Justice, who is the
Attorney General.
“The Cabinet”

The newest
department to be
created was the
“Department of
Homeland Security”
in 2002 (after 9/11) to
consolidate our
defenses against
terrorist attacks
“The Cabinet”

The main
responsibility of the
Cabinet is to advise
the president on all
matters.
 Although NOT
mentioned in the
Constitution, every
president since
Washington has had a
Cabinet.
The Vice President

The vice president
has historically had
a limited role.
 Recently, they have
been given more
responsibilities
over the year.
The “First Lady”
The “First Lady” has
no set responsibilities
that are listed in the
Constitution.
 Over the years, they
have become very
active in a variety of
issues.

The Federal Bureaucracy

The Federal
Bureaucracy is the
name given to the
millions of employees
(“bureaucrats”) and
agencies that help run
the U.S. government,
turn new laws into
action, and regulate the
government.
Independent Agencies
“Executive Agencies” are
responsible for specialized
areas.
– “NASA” is an example.

Although not part of the
“Cabinet”, these agencies
are still accountable to the
president.
Independent Agencies
“Government
Corporations” are
run like private
businesses, but
they are NOT for
profit
 The U.S. Postal
Service is an
example.

Independent Agencies
“Regulatory Boards
and Commissions”
have the task of
protecting the public.
 They do NOT report
to the president.
 The “F.C.C.” is an
example
