Who and What makes up the US Cabinet?
The US Cabinet consists of key departments within the
Executive Branch, designed to provide crucial advice to the President on
matters specific to their areas. Each department is led by a secretary who
manages activities and reports directly to the President. Appointments are made
by the President but require Senate confirmation for nominees. Importantly,
these appointees can be dismissed at any time without needing Senate approval.
Cabinet departments include State, Treasury, Defense,
Attorney General, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Labor, Health and Human
Services, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, Energy, Education,
Veterans Affairs, and Homeland Security.
What Is the Role of the US Cabinet?
The primary role of the US Cabinet is to counsel the
President on pertinent issues related to their offices. While they lack
governing power themselves; they work closely with presidential directives that
address American needs.
Which Departments Comprise the US Cabinet?
Atop this influential group sits the Vice President—the
highest-ranking member—followed by various secretaries overseeing federal
government operations:
1. Department of State: Created by Thomas
Jefferson
Initially known as the Department of Foreign Affairs, this
department focuses on international relations and foreign policy for the
nation. The helm is held by the Secretary of State, who ranks first in line
within the Cabinet succession after the Vice President.
2. Department of Treasury: Created by Alexander
Hamilton
Guided by the Secretary of the Treasury, this department
oversees currency production in America. It also manages public debt and plays
a crucial role in finance, taxation laws, and fiscal strategies.
3. Department of Defense: Created by Congress to combine both Dept of
Navy and War Department in 1947.
With leadership from the Secretary of Defense, this
department is tasked with national security issues as well as overseeing all
operations related to the United States Armed Forces.
4. Attorney General: Created by President George
Washington in 1789
As head of the Justice Department, the Attorney General acts
as chief legal advisor to the U.S. Government. This role includes supervising
various agencies like the FBI, DEA, and Bureau of Prisons under DOJ’s umbrella
5. Department of the Interior Created by Robert James Walker
while serving President Polk
The Secretary of the Interior oversees this department,
which manages federal lands with a focus on conservation and natural resources
like wildlife, dams, and reservoirs. It also addresses territorial issues and
Native American affairs while handling responsibilities related to national
parks.
6. Department of Agriculture: Created by President Lincoln
Established by Abraham Lincoln, the USDA focuses on farming,
food production, and rural economic development. It's a vital resource for
farmers and food manufacturers in navigating crop sales and distribution.
7. Department of Commerce: Created by President Theadore Roosevelt
Headed by the Secretary of Commerce, this department
promotes economic growth through industrial standards setting and data
collection for informed policymaking.
8. Department of Labor: Created by President Taft
Led by the Secretary of Labor, this department administers
unemployment benefits and enforces workplace safety regulations to protect
employees' rights.
9. Department of Health and Human Services: Created by President
Jimmy Carter
This department is directed by its secretary to manage
public health initiatives ranging from physical fitness programs to opioid
prevention strategies as well as adoption services.
10. Department of Housing and Urban Development: Created by
President John F Kennedy
This department is at the forefront of managing initiatives
like Housing and Community Planning and Development. They are key players in
crafting legislation that shapes urban development and promotes fair housing
practices.
11. Department of Transportation: Created by both President
Lyndon B Johnson and Najeeb Halaby
Led by the Secretary of Transportation, this department
ensures that American transportation systems are both safe and up-to-date.
Commonly referred to as USDOT or DOT, it orchestrates policies to keep our
roads, transit, airways, and railways running smoothly.
12. Department of Energy: Created by President Jimmy Carter
The Department of Energy tackles critical issues surrounding
energy production, waste management, and nuclear security. It oversees the
nation’s energy supply while addressing climate change challenges through
groundbreaking research across its 17 National Laboratories.
13. Department of Education: Created by President Andrew
Johnson in 1867
Led by the Secretary of Education, this department is tasked
with various educational responsibilities, such as managing financial loans and
grants while gathering critical data on schools to shape future policies.
14. Department of Veterans Affairs: Created By President
Ronald Reagan
The Veterans Affairs Department focuses on delivering
healthcare and benefits to U.S. veterans. It addresses pressing challenges like
veteran homelessness and research effective policies to support those who have
bravely served their country.
15. Department of Homeland Security: Created by President George W Bush
Established by President George W. Bush in response to the
September 11 attacks, the DHS stands as the third-largest Cabinet office. Its
mission encompasses public security matters, including combating terrorism,
preventing disasters, enhancing cybersecurity, securing borders, and overseeing
immigration issues.
Other areas that are considered at the Cabinet-level include
the White House Chief of Staff, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the
Office of Management and Budget, the United States Trade Representative, the
United States Mission to the United Nations, the Council of Economic Advisers,
and the Small Business Administration. While these sections are not technically
their own departments, the head administrators receive Cabinet-rank status.
Elizabeth Kilbride is a Writer and Editor with forty years of
experience in writing with 12 of those years in the online content sphere.
Author of 5 books and a Graduate with an Associate of Arts from Phoenix
University in Business Management, then a degree. Mass Communication and Cyber
Analysis from Phoenix University, then on to Walden University for her master’s
in criminology with emphasis on Cybercrime and Identity Theft and is currently
studying for her Ph.D. degree in Criminology. Her work portfolio includes
coverage of politics, current affairs, elections, history, and true crime.
Elizabeth is also a gourmet cook, life coach, and avid artist in her spare
time, proficient in watercolor, acrylic, oil, pen and ink, Gouche, and pastels.
As a political operative having worked on over 300 campaigns during her career,
Elizabeth has turned many life events into books and movie scripts while using
history to weave interesting storylines. She also runs 6 blogs that range from
art to life coaching, to food, to writing, and opinion or history pieces each
week.