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The President's Cabinet

Do you have friends that you turn to for advice? When the President wants advice he asks a group of people called the Cabinet. The purpose of the Cabinet is to advise the President. Appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, the members of the Cabinet are often the President's closest confidants. The Cabinet includes the Vice President, the heads of 15 executive branch departments, and other Government officials chosen by the President. The Cabinet meets at least once a week to discuss matters that affect the United States.

The 14 Secretaries from the executive departments and the Attorney General are nominated by the President, and they must be approved (confirmed) by a majority vote (51 votes) of the Senate. Nominees cannot be a member of Congress or hold any other elected office. Executive department Secretaries and the Attorney General serve as long as the President is in office.

The following is a list of the current heads of the 15 executive department agencies, their department, when that department was created, and a brief description of the department.

Secretary of State Department of State (1789): Works with other countries.
Secretary of the Treasury Department of the Treasury (1789): Supervises the collection of taxes and the printing of money.
Secretary of Defense Department of Defense (1947): Oversees the armed forces.
Attorney General Department of Justice (1870): Enforces the U.S. Government's laws.
Secretary of the Interior Department of the Interior (1849): Protects natural resources and wildlife.
Secretary of Agriculture Department of Agriculture (1862): Ensures a healthy food supply and provides support for farmers.
Secretary of Commerce Department of Commerce (1903): Promotes business and job opportunities for all Americans, responsible for all copyrights, patents, and trademarks; and oversees matters related to oceans, weather, and technology.
Secretary of Labor Department of Labor (1913): Oversees the interests of U.S. workers.
Secretary of Health & Human Services Department of Health and Human Services (1953): Looks after people's health and provides services including conducting medical research, preventing diseases, assuring the safety of food and drugs; providing financial assistance for low income families.
Secretary of Housing & Urban Development Department of Housing and Urban Development (1965): Oversees housing needs, and focuses on improving and developing communities.
Secretary of Transportation Department of Transportation (1966): Oversees the nation's transportation system including highways, railroads, ports, and air travel.
Secretary of Energy Department of Energy (1977): Researches and develops energy systems that are friendly to the environment, but are not too expensive.
Secretary of Education Department of Education (1979): Establishes guidelines and provides leadership to address American education. It helps local communities meet the needs of their students.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Department of Veterans Affairs (1988): Operates programs for veterans and their families.
Secretary of Homeland Security Department of Homeland Security (2003): Works to prevent terrorist attacks within the United States, reduce America's vulnerability to terrorism, and minimize the damage from potential attacks and natural disasters.

 



Test Quiz

 
1) Who is the leader of the Executive branch of the government?
The Speaker of the House
The Majority Leader of the Senate
The Secretary of State
The President
The Chief Justice
2) Which of the following is not a part of the Executive Branch?
The Cabinet
The Supreme Court
The President
The Secretary of State
The Vice President
3) What is the main job of the Vice President?
To drive the president around in his limousine.
The vice president acts as Commander and Chief of the U.S. armed forces.
To take over as president if the president dies or can no longer do the job of president.
To lead the cabinet meetings and take notes for the president.
To take part in parades and funerals.
4) What are some of the functions of the Executive Office of the President?
Advise the president on national security issues.
Brief the press on the president`s activities.
Assist the president in running the many responsibilities of the Executive Branch.
All of the above.
None of the above.
5) True or False: Each cabinet member must be approved by the U.S. Congress.
TRUE
FALSE
 
 
 
6) How many different Cabinet departments are there?
7) Which of the following is not a requirement to become President of the United States?
You must be a natural born US Citizen
You must have lived in the United States for at least 14 years.
You must have the U.S. Constitution memorized by heart.
You must be at least 35 years old.
 
8) Which part of the Executive Branch votes to break a tie in the Senate?
Vice President
Secretary of State
The President
White House Head of Staff
The Cabinet
9) What is the longest time that one person can be president?
1 year
4 years
8 years
12 years
As long as they are elected by the people.
10) Which of the following is not a power of the president?
The power to veto legislation from congress.
The power to break a tie vote in the Senate.
The power to sign treaties with foreign nations.
The power to pardon criminals.
None of the above.

 

SUMMARY

1. The President is given executive power by the Constitution, which also lists qualifica­tions for this position. Presidents can serve two four-year terms.

2. The President has many duties. As chief of state, the President carries out many ceremonial duties and is a symbol of the country. As chief executive, the President enforces laws, heads the federal bureaucra­cy, and appoints and removes various government leaders. The President also may issue executive orders.

3. As Commander in Chief, the President has powers that can be exercised in times of war and times of peace. Wartime powers, however, were limited with the passage of the War Powers Act. The President also serves as the country's chief diplomat. Making treaties, drafting executive agree­ments, and receiving ambassadors from other countries all are diplomatic duties performed by the President.

4. The President's legislative powers include the power to call special sessions of Congress and to veto bills.

5. Heads of executive departments and other key leaders form the Cabinet, which meets with the President to give advice and share information.

 


Date: 2015-01-12; view: 2087


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