Presidential Advisors and Executive Agencies

1. Presidential Advisors and Executive Agencies Chapter 7, Section 4

2. Organization of the Federal Branch • Executive Office/White House Office • People who work directly for the President (about 500) • 10-12 of the President’s closest advisors • Chief of Staff is most powerful advisor • Office of Management and Budget • Prepares the federal budget • Oversees spending of hundreds of government agencies • Director of OMB works closely with the President

3. Organization of the Federal Branch cont • National Security Council • Helps the President direct US military and foreign policy • Head is National Security Advisor • Council of Economic Advisors • Helps the President carry out the role of the economic leader • Gives the President advice about complex economic matters (unemployment, inflation, taxes, etc.)

4. The Cabinet • Cabinet • Group of 15 presidential advisors that include the heads (Secretaries) of top level executive departments • Secretaries advise the President on issues related to their department • They meet whenever the President calls them together • Dept of Homeland Security is the newest cabinet position (added in Nov 2002)

5. The Cabinet

6. The Cabinet

7. The Cabinet

8. Federal Bureaucracy • Federal Bureaucracy- agencies and employees of the executive branch • Carry out programs created by Congress • Administer day to day functions of the Executive Branch • Regulate various activities (police, banks, airlines, etc.)

9. Federal Bureaucracy cont • Independent Agencies- agencies of the Executive Branch that are NOT part of the cabinet • Executive Agencies • Independent and deal with certain specialized areas within government • Ex. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

10. Federal Bureaucracy cont • Government Corporations • Private businesses owned and operated by the government and not private people • Ex. Postal Service (USPS) • Regulatory Boards and Commissions • Do no report to President, but instead to Congress • Protect the public by making and enforce rules for industries or groups • Ex. Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

11. Government Workers • Political Appointees- top leadership positions whom the President has chosen because they have proven executive ability (usually ends when the President leaves office) • Civil Service Workers- permanent employment, based on competitive tests and merit • They work within the Civil Service System

12. Spoils System • Became very popular under Andrew Jackson • Government jobs went to people as a reward for their political support • New President’s fired most workers and replaced them with their own • Ex. Jackson put Martin Van Buren as Sec. of State and then VP because he was Jackson’s campaign manager and helped Jackson win the election • Ex. Jackson made Roger Taney Supreme Court Chief Justice because he helped Jackson remove all of the money from the national bank because Jackson opposed it

13. Merit System • Came about during Progressive Era with the Pendleton Act • Known as Civil Service Reform Act of 1883 • Now jobs within the Civil Service System are awarded based on merit and examinations • Sets standards for federal jobs