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Executive Depts. Research Assignment: Due Wednesday February 5th. Review the information in the following slides Choose ONE department to focus on
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Executive Depts. Research Assignment: Due Wednesday February 5th • Review the information in the following slides • Choose ONE department to focus on • Research reputable news sources to find a current (within past 5 years) example of your department at work (note- it will most likely be an agency which falls within your department that you read about!) • Use their .gov website as your starting point
Requirements • You will turn in: • 1 paragraph (5-7+ sentences) summarizing the article, explaining which department/agency it is connected to, and how exactly it exemplifies their role • Citation of your source (Title, Date, URL link) • At least 3 specific details from the article (use standard in-text citations)
Selecting the Cabinet Numerous factors are considered when selecting members of the cabinet. • Does their background experience suit their post? • Do they have high-level administrative experience? • Do they bring geographical balance to the cabinet? • Will they satisfy interest groups? • Do they bring ethnic, racial, or gender balance to the cabinet?
The Role of the Cabinet • Cabinet secretaries are the heads of the 15 executive departments • The role of the Cabinet has always been determined by the President • Certain cabinet members form the “inner cabinet,” who can greatly influence the president’s decisions on matters related to their departments’ areas of interest • Secretary of State • Secretary of Defense • Secretary of Treasury • Attorney General
Department of State(1789) • Responsible for the nation’s overall foreign policy • Protects U.S. citizens abroad • Oversees embassies (and staffs them) • Analyzes American interests in other nations John Kerry, Secretary of State
Department of Defense(1789) • Protects the security of the U.S. • Oversees the armed forces and the Joint Chiefs of Staff • Largest department in the Executive Branch with nearly 2 million employees Chuck Hagel, Secretary of Defense
Treasury Department(1789) • Manages the nation’s monetary resources • The Mint manufactures coins • The Bureau of Printing & Engraving produces paper money • IRS collects taxes • ATF regulates production and distribution of alcohol and tobacco and administers explosives and firearms laws Jack Lew Treasury Secretary
Department of the Interior(1849) • Protects public lands and natural resources • Operates hydroelectric power plants • Oversees relations with American Indians; helps them manage their affairs • Oversees the mining of natural resources • National Park Service manages national parks and monuments, historic sites, wildlife refuges, and recreational areas Sally Jewell, Interior Secretary
Department of Justice(1870) • Office of the Attorney General est. 1789 • Oversees the nation’s legal affairs; represents the U.S. in court • Provides legal advice to the President • Enforces anti-trust and civil rights laws • FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) • DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) • Operates federal prisons Eric Holder, Attorney General
Department of Agriculture(1889) • Helps farmers and ranchers improve their incomes and expand their markets • Provides financial credits to farmers • Develops conservation programs • Safeguards the nation’s food supply Tom Vilsack, USDA Secretary
Department of Commerce(1903) • Promotes and protects American industry, technology, and business interests • Issues patents and trademarks • Census Bureau conducts census every 10 years Penny Pritzker, Secretary of Commerce
Department of Labor(1913) • Protects American workers by ensuring safe working conditions, safeguarding the minimum wage • Bureau of Labor and Statistics analyzes data on employment, wages, and compensation • Encourages cooperation between labor and management • Administers unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation programs Thomas Perez, Labor Secretary
Department of Housing andUrban Development (1965) • Helps preserve the nation’s communities • Ensures equal housing opportunities and fair housing laws • Helps make mortgages available for more people to buy homes • Operates public housing programs Shaun Donovan HUD Secretary
Department of Transportation(1966) • Regulates all aspects of American transportation needs, policy development, and planning • Regulates aviation, railroads, highways, waterways, mass transit, and oil and gas pipelines Anthony Foxx, DOT Secretary
Department of Energy(1977) • Promotes production of renewable energy, fossil fuels, and nuclear energy • Researches and develops energy technology • Conducts nuclear weapons research and production • Transmits and sells hydroelectric power • Sets rate for interstate transmission of natural gas and electricity Ernest Moniz, Energy Secretary
Department of Health and Human Services (1979) • Created in 1953 as part of Health, Welfare, and Education • Funds health care research programs • Social Security Administration aids seniors and welfare recipients • Manages Medicare and Medicaid programs • FDA (Food and Drug Administration) ensures the safety of food and drugs and approves new treatment of disease; enforces pure food and drug laws • CDC (Center for Disease Control) • NIH (National Institutes of Health) Kathleen Sebelius, HHS Secretary
Department of Education(1979) • Coordinates federal assistance programs for public and private schools • Conducts educational research • Oversees programs for LEP students (ESL/HILT) • Oversees programs for students with disabilities Arne Duncan, Secretary of Education
Department of Veterans’ Affairs(1989) • Administers hospitals and various educational programs to benefit veterans and their families • Administers benefits and pensions to veterans of the armed forces • Oversees military cemeteries Gen. Eric Shinseki, VA Secretary
Department of Homeland Security (2002) • Prevents, prepares for, and protects against terrorist attacks on American soil • Oversees border and transportation security • Oversees emergency preparedness and response • Provides information analysis and infrastructure protection When created, independent agencies and organizations from other cabinet departments were transferred to Homeland Security: - Secret Service from Treasury Dept - Coast Guard from Transportation Dept - INS from Justice Dept - FEMA Jeh Johnson, Secretary of Homeland Security