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| | The president supervises the executive branch, and fills thousands of positions in the numerous federal agencies. Senate approval is required for the highest positions, such as the "Cabinet" officials who directly advise the president. | | The president supervises the executive branch, and fills thousands of positions in the numerous federal agencies. Senate approval is required for the highest positions, such as the "Cabinet" officials who directly advise the president. |
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| − | 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. |
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| | + | One reason the presidential election is so important is because the winner then chooses leaders for each of the federal departments. |
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| | === Executive Office of the President === | | === Executive Office of the President === |
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| | == Federal Agencies == | | == Federal Agencies == |
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| − | The day-to-day power of the federal government is in its numerous "agencies", or departments. This section explains many of the most important federal agencies. | + | The day-to-day power of the federal government is in its numerous "agencies", or departments. These agencies, all located in the Executive Branch, handle many types of disputes before they become lawsuits. The Department of Education hears complaints about violation of federal law in public schools; the Department of Labor hears labor disputes, including alleged discrimination; the Department of Health and Human Services handles the massive federal health care spending. Each of the 15 federal agencies, including the new Department of Homeland Security, have responsibilities that grow over time. |
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| | + | These departments employ thousands of people. At the top of each department is a "Secretary", a word that does not have its ordinary meaning. The "Secretary of State" is the leader of the State Department. |
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| | + | A president's "Cabinet" includes the leaders (Secretary) of each of the departments. The president nominates the Secretary for each Department, and he is confirmed or rejected by the Senate. The president may fire a Secretary if unhappy with his work, but that rarely happens. |
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| | === State Department === | | === State Department === |
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| | Dealing with foreign countries is a primary responsibility of the President, and the Secretary of State advises him on this. When conflicts arise in foreign nations, the Secretary of State advises the president on how to handle them, and he or she often travels to those countries to try to resolve the conflicts. | | Dealing with foreign countries is a primary responsibility of the President, and the Secretary of State advises him on this. When conflicts arise in foreign nations, the Secretary of State advises the president on how to handle them, and he or she often travels to those countries to try to resolve the conflicts. |
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| − | At this time, and throughout the Obama Administration, the Secretary of State has been Hillary Clinton, at her request. She thought it would be a good stepping stone to running for president in 2016. She is likely to resign from her position as Secretary of State in early 2017, and then beginning quietly running for the Democratic nomination for president in 2016. | + | At this time, and throughout the Obama Administration, the Secretary of State has been Hillary Clinton, at her request. She thought it would be a good stepping stone to run for president in 2016. She is likely to resign from her position as Secretary of State early next year, in order to begin running for the Democratic nomination for president in 2016. |
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| | The State Department was extremely important during the Cold War (1945-1990), and Senator Joseph McCarthy accused Democratic Administrations of allowing the State Department to be infiltrated by communists who were opposed to our freedoms and position of strength in the world. | | The State Department was extremely important during the Cold War (1945-1990), and Senator Joseph McCarthy accused Democratic Administrations of allowing the State Department to be infiltrated by communists who were opposed to our freedoms and position of strength in the world. |
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| − | | + | Perhaps the most famous Secretary of State in American history was William Jennings Bryan, who resigned from his position in protest about how Woodrow Wilson was pushing the United States into World War I. About ten years later Bryan, who was a skilled attorney and orator, won the Scopes Trial to prohibit the teaching in Tennessee of the theory of human evolution. |
| − | Agencies in the Executive Branch handle many types of disputes before they become lawsuits. The Department of Education hears complaints about violation of federal law in public schools; the Department of Labor hears labor disputes, including alleged discrimination; the Department of Health and Human Services handles the massive federal health care spending. Each of the 15 federal agencies, including the new Department of Homeland Security, have responsibilities that grow over time.
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| | === Defense Department === | | === Defense Department === |
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| | + | The Defense Department, or "Department of Defense," was formerly known as the "Department of War." It handles military conflicts. The entire Armed Forces -- Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines -- are in the Executive Branch. Their commander-in-chief is the president, and the leader of their department is the Secretary of Defense. |
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| | + | The Defense Department is in charge of <> |
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| | === Department of Justice === | | === Department of Justice === |
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| | === Department of Health and Human Services === | | === Department of Health and Human Services === |
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| | + | === Department of Labor === |
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| | ==== Patent and Trademark Office ==== | | ==== Patent and Trademark Office ==== |
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| − | | + | A unique clause in the U.S. Constitution |
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| | === Federal Trade Commission === | | === Federal Trade Commission === |