The Cabinet

Unit IV

Department of State (1789)

Plans and carries out the nation’s foreign policy objectives

Embassies; Consulates; Passports (Visas)*Current Secretary-John Kerry

Department of Treasury (1789)

Collects, borrows, spends and prints money

IRS; Customs; MintCurrent secretary- Jack Lew

Department of Defense (1949)*

Manages the Armed ForcesArmy, Navy, Air Force, Marines825,000+ served and serving; $270 B+Current secretary- Chuck Hagel

Department of Justice (1870)

Responsibility for all aspects of law enforcement

FBI; Federal Prisons; Court CasesBrings forth cases on behalf of NationCurrent attorney general- Eric H. Holder

Department of Interior (1849)

Manages and protects the nation’s public lands and natural resources

National Parks; Forest and Wildlife Service

Also, Bureau of Indian AffairsCurrent secretary- Sally Jewell

Department of Agriculture (1889)

Assists farmers and consumers of farm products

USDA, FHA, Food InspectionAlso, Soil Conservation and SubsidiesCurrent secretary- Thomas Vilsack

Department of Commerce (1903)

Supervises trade, promotes United States tourism, and businesses

Patents, Census BureauAlso, NOAA and NWSCurrent secretary- Rebecca Blank

(Acting)

Department of Labor (1913)

Concerned with working conditions and wages of United States’ workers

OSHA, UnemploymentAlso, BLSCurrent secretary- Seth Harris

Department of HHS (1953)

Works for the health and well-being of all Americans

SSA, Family Support, CDC, NIHAlso, FDACurrent secretary- Kathleen Sebelius

Department of HUD (1965)

Deals with the special needs, problems and distribution of various items in cities and some rural areas

Subsidized housing and creation of Affordable Housing

Current secretary- Shaun Donovan

Department of Transportation (1966)

Manages the nation’s highways, railroads, airlines, and sea traffic

NTSB, FAA, NHTSACurrent secretary- Raymond LaHood

Department of Energy (1977)

Directs and implements the nation’s energy plan and consumption

Alternative fuels-Ethanol, Biodiesel, etc.Petroleum, Coal, and Natural GasNuclear ProgramCurrent secretary- Steven Chu

Department of Education (1979)

Provides advice and funding to school districts through state grants

Free Public EducationSpecial Education, NCLBCurrent secretary- Arne Duncan

Department of Veterans Affairs (1989)

Directs services for American’s veteransVeterans Administration (VA)Hospitals, etc.Current secretary- Eric Shinseki

Department of Homeland Security (2002)

Direct security initiatives for federal agencies and governments at local, state, and federal levels

TSA, Secret Service, Coast GuardUSCIS formerly the INSCurrent secretary- Janet Napolitano

Cabinet Rank Members*White House Chief of Staff- Dennis

McDonoughEnvironmental Protection Agency-Bob

Perciasepe (acting)Office of Management and Budget- Sylvia

Mathews BurwellU.S. Trade Representative- Demetrios Marantis

(Acting)U.S. Ambassador to U.N.- Susan RiceCouncil of Economic Affairs- Alan Kreuger

The Cabinet

Unit IV