Developed over the years as an informal group of advisors from each executive department

2. Developed over the years as an informal group of advisors from each executive department • Article II, Section 2, Clause 1… “he may require the Opinion, in writing of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices…” • George Washington created the 1st Cabinet with: Secretaries of State, Treasury, War and an Attorney General

3. Washington’s top two advisors, Jefferson and Hamilton, disagreed so bitterly that political parties formed around these two men. Andrew Jackson preferred a group of informal advisors known as the “Kitchen Cabinet.” Abraham Lincoln once took a vote in which his entire cabinet unanimously opposed him. He said, “Seven nays, one aye, the ayes have it.” John F. Kennedy paid more attention to the advice of his brother, Robert, who served as Attorney General, than his formal Cabinet.

4. There are now 15 Cabinet Departments • Each of these Departments have many subunits. • The smallest is the State, with 25,000 employees • The largest is the DOD with over 2 million employees.

7. Handles America’s foreign policy Negotiates treaties & staffs embassies Speaks for the US at the United Nations $47B69k

8. Serves as the financial division of the government Collects taxes & manages debt Mints coins and currency $14B86k

9. Named the War Department until 1949 Ensures America’s security Oversees the armed forces through the Joint Chiefs of Staff $534B2.8m

10. Oversees the nation’s legal affairs, police, and prison system Administers explosive and firearm laws Regulates the production and distribution of alcohol and tobacco $31B113k

11. Protects the public lands and natural resources throughout the U.S. Oversees relationships with Native Americans $20B70k

12. Helps farmers improve incomes and production for home and abroad Develops conservation programs Safeguards the nation’s food supply $151B105k

13. Seeks to “promote job creation and improved living standards for all Americans” Carries out the census $9B44k

14. Ensures safe working conditions Oversees minimum wages and protects pensions Collects and analyzes data on employment $12B17k

15. Motto is "Improving the health, safety, and well-being of America“ Manages federal Medicare and Medicaid programs $1T79k

16. Founded in 1965, as part of President Lyndon Johnson’s “Great Society” program Works to assist communities in the nation Ensures equal housing opportunities $32B8k

17. Regulates America’s transportation needs, policies, & planning Works to ensure safe, efficient, and convenient highway, rail, & air transportation Includes the FAA $75b55k

18. Oversees America’s nuclear program Sets energy policy Researches and develops energy technology Directs research in genomics & the Human Genome Project $28B105k

19. Coordinates federal assistance programs for public and private schools Provides grants and student loans in addition to assisting students and schools with special needs $68B4k

20. Oversees medical care for military veterans and families Manages educational programs for veterans $180B377k

21. Charged with anti-terrorism, border security, immigration and customs, cyber security, & disaster prevention and management Newest department created in 2002 after 9/11 attacks $40B229k

22. A large, complex administrative structure that handles the everyday business of the government. • To some, bureaucracy has become synonymous with waste, red tape, delay, inefficiency… • Some argue that privatization would be better (Ex mail, health care, social security, schools) • Others advise against turning important agencies that help people over to for-profit corporations