| | When George Washington was president, there were only three Cabinet officials: State, War (now Defense), and Treasury. But as the federal government has expanded over the past 223 years, so have the number of positions. There are now 15 Cabinet officials, and confirmation of appointments by the president is required to these positions. Typically the president fills these positions with members of his own political party; usually they are governors, former governors, or senators who were defeated for reelection. If Mitt Romney wins the presidency this year, then he would likely nominate Chris Christie to the Cabinet-level position of Attorney General, and perhaps Rick Santorum to the Cabinet-level position of the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Each position in the Cabinet corresponds to the head of an administrative agency in the executive branch. | | When George Washington was president, there were only three Cabinet officials: State, War (now Defense), and Treasury. But as the federal government has expanded over the past 223 years, so have the number of positions. There are now 15 Cabinet officials, and confirmation of appointments by the president is required to these positions. Typically the president fills these positions with members of his own political party; usually they are governors, former governors, or senators who were defeated for reelection. If Mitt Romney wins the presidency this year, then he would likely nominate Chris Christie to the Cabinet-level position of Attorney General, and perhaps Rick Santorum to the Cabinet-level position of the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Each position in the Cabinet corresponds to the head of an administrative agency in the executive branch. |