Welcome to Understanding the E.O.P and the Cabinet

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The CabinetThe Cabinet

Executive Office of the President

(E.O.P)

Executive Office of the President

(E.O.P)

Executive Office of the PresidentThe Executive Office of the President (EOP) consists of the immediate staff of the President of the United States, as well as multiple levels of support staff reporting to the President.

Since its inception under Franklin D. Roosevelt, the size of the EOP has increased; the current figures for the EOP are about 1,800 full-time equivalent employees.

These employees work in the both the White House and in the Executive Office Building, an extension of the White House.

With the exception of two notable positions, none of the members of the E.O.P. are approved by congress. They are hired by the President and/or his/her Chief of Staff.

When a new presidential administration comes in, approximately half or more the E.O.P. is replaced with new administration hires.

The E.O.P are the personal employees of the president. They are at his/her beck and call.

They are the presidents advisors, speech writers, information gatherers and policy writers. They are the ultimate informational filter. If the president wants information, it is the E.O.P. that gives him/her that information.

If you ever watch the show “The West Wing” that is the E.O.P.

E.O.P. Cont…• Office of Management

and Budget• Office of Trade

Representative

• Office of Management and Budget

• Office of Trade Representative

For More In-depth Information

Go Learn about the Cabinet

CabinetThere are nearly 5 million people that work under the oversight of the 15 Cabinet positions.

Each Cabinet member runs a segment of the government. For the purposes of the area in question, the cabinet member functions with the voice and authority of the president.

Only the president can override the policy decisions of a Cabinet member.

Because Cabinet members jobs are to carry out Legislative Law and Presidential authority they must all be approved by the Senate.

About half of all federal

employees work for the

Department of Defense

About half of all federal

employees work for the

Department of Defense

George Washington only had 4 members in his cabinet:• Secretary of State• Secretary of Treasury• Secretary of Defense• Secretary of Justice

The Cabinet is present because it is impossible for aperson to be an expert in so many diverse areas. • There is no way the president can:

– be an expert in foreign affairs, run 190 embassies in 190 countries not to mention the 250 or so consulate offices

– and run the Army, Navy Air Force and Marines – and be an expert in and run the economy – and…. Well you get the idea.

• A Secretaries job is to be the expert in a field and to carry out the wishes of the president in that specified area to the best of their ability.

In essence the fifteen secretaries of the cabinet are the “mini-me” of the executive branch.

For More In-depth Information

Learn about the E.O.P.

In addition to running major federal agencies, The Cabinet plays an important role in the Presidential line of succession —

The Presidential Succession Act of 1947, signed by President Harry S. Truman, changed the succession order to what it is today.

The cabinet members are ordered in the line of succession according to the date their offices were established.

Presidential Order of succession:• Vice President• Speaker of the House• Senate President pro and tempore• Secretary of State• Secretary of the Treasury• Etc.

All the members of the Cabinet take the title Secretary, excepting the head of the Justice Department, who is entitled Attorney General.

What are the fifteen different Cabinet Secretaries and what

do they do?

What are the fifteen different Cabinet Secretaries and what

do they do?

What are the names of the E.O.P. Offices and what do they

do?

What are the names of the E.O.P. Offices and what do they

do?

Go back to the beginning to review

Click for more info on The Cabinet

Click for more info on The Cabinet

The PresidentThe President

The National Security Council (NSC) is the President's principal forum for considering national security and foreign policy matters

with his senior national security advisors and cabinet officials. Since its inception under

President Truman, the Council's function has been to advise and assist the President on national security and foreign policies. The

Council also serves as the President's principal arm for coordinating these policies

among various government agencies.

The Office of Administration was established by Executive Order on December 12, 1977. The organization's mission is to provide administrative services to all entities of the Executive Office of the President (EOP), including direct support services to the President of the United States. The services include financial management and information technology support, human resources management, library and research assistance, facilities management, procurement, printing and graphics support, security, and mail and messenger operations. The Director of the organization oversees the submission of the annual EOP Budget Request and represents the organization before congressional funding panels.

OMB's predominant mission is to assist the President in overseeing the preparation of the federal budget and to supervise its administration in Executive Branch agencies. In helping to formulate the President's spending plans, OMB evaluates the effectiveness of agency programs, policies, and procedures, assesses competing funding demands among agencies, and sets funding priorities. OMB ensures that agency reports, rules, testimony, and proposed legislation are consistent with the President's Budget and

with Administration policies.

The Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP) is the White House Office tasked with coordinating the continuing efforts of the government to reduce the number of HIV infections across the United States. Although the office emphasizes prevention through wide-ranging education initiatives, ONAP also helps to coordinate the care and treatment of citizens with HIV/AIDS. In addition, ONAP coordinates with international bodies to ensure that the fight against HIV/AIDS is fully integrated around the world.

The principal purpose of ONDCP is to establish policies, priorities, and objectives for the Nation's drug control program. The goals of the program are to reduce illicit drug use, manufacturing, and trafficking, drug-related crime and violence, and drug-related health consequences. To achieve these goals, the Director of ONDCP is charged with producing the National Drug Control Strategy. The Strategy directs the Nation's anti-drug efforts and establishes a program, a budget, and guidelines for cooperation among Federal, State, and local entities.

The Office of Science and Technology Policy advises the President on the effects of science and technology on domestic and international affairs. The office serves as a source of scientific and technological analysis and judgment for the President with respect to major policies, plans and programs of the Federal Government. OSTP leads an interagency effort to develop and implement sound science and technology policies and budgets. The office works with the private sector to ensure Federal investments in science and technology contribute to economic prosperity, environmental quality, and national security

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is an agency of over 200 people, who have experience in trade issues. They negotiate directly with foreign governments to create trade agreements, resolve disputes and participate in global trade policy organizations. They also meet with governments, business groups, legislators and public interest groups to gather input on trade issues and explain the president’s trade policy positions. The agency was founded in 1962 and has offices in Washington, Geneva and Brussels.

The President's Intelligence Advisory Board and Intelligence Oversight Board (PIAB) provides advice to the President concerning the quality and adequacy of intelligence collection, counterintelligence, and other intelligence activities. The PIAB also advises the President on the legality of foreign intelligence activities. PIAB membership is selected from among distinguished citizens outside the government. The PIAB has acts as a nonpartisan body, offering the President objective, expert advice on the conduct of U.S. foreign intelligence.

The Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB) is an independent executive agency mandated with monitoring the actions of the U.S. government on civil liberties and privacy interests. The board consists of five members, each appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.In 2004, following recommendations by the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (known as the 9/11 Commission), the PCLOB was established within the Executive Office of the President. The board was tasked with advising the President and other senior Executive Branch officials to ensure that concerns with respect to privacy and civil liberties are appropriately considered in the implementation of all laws, regulations, and executive branch policies related to efforts to protect the Nation against terrorism.

The White House Military Office (WHMO) provides military support for White House functions, including

food service, Presidential transportation, medical support and emergency medical services, and

hospitality services. The office, led by WHMO Director Louis Caldera, oversees policy related to WHMO functions and Department of Defense assets and

ensures that White House requirements are met with the highest standards of quality. The WHMO Director oversees all military operations aboard Air Force One

on Presidential missions worldwide. The Deputy Director of the White House Military Office focuses primarily on the day-to-day support of the WHMO.

Whitehouse Military Board

Whitehouse Military Board

Privacy and Civil Liberties

Oversight Board

Privacy and Civil Liberties

Oversight Board

Office of National

Drug Control Policy

Office of National

Drug Control Policy

Office of National

AIDS Policy

Office of National

AIDS Policy

Office of Management and Budget

Office of Management and Budget

Office of Administration

Office of Administration

National Security Council

National Security Council

Intelligence Oversight

Board

Intelligence Oversight

Board

Office of US Trade

Representative

Office of US Trade

Representative

Office of Science and Technology

Policy

Office of Science and Technology

Policy

A few of the entities that exist within the White House Office:• Appointments and Scheduling • Chief of Staff’s Office • Office of Communications • Office of Energy and Climate Change Policy • Office of the First Lady • Homeland Security Council • Office of Legislative Affairs • Office of Management and Administration • Oval Office Operations • Office of Political Affairs • Office of Presidential Personnel • Office of the Press Secretary • Office of Social Innovation • Office of the Staff Secretary • Office of Urban Affairs Policy

The Domestic Policy Council (DPC) coordinates the domestic policy-making

process in the White House and offers advice to the President. The DPC also supervises

the execution of domestic policy and represents the President’s priorities to

Congress.

Along with giving advice to the President, The Council of Economic Advisors is responsible for shaping the public understanding of current economic issues. This involves being available to government agencies and departments to evaluate economic policy issues, testifying to congressional committees, giving speeches, and conducting television interviews to answer the public’s questions.

The National Economic Council (NEC) was established in 1993 to advise the President

on U.S. on global economic policy. By Executive Order, the NEC has four principal

functions: to coordinate policy-making for domestic and international economic issues, to coordinate economic policy advice for the

President, to ensure that policy decisions and programs are consistent with the President's

economic goals, and to monitor implementation of the President's economic

policy agenda.

The Council on Environmental Quality coordinates federal environmental efforts and works closely with agencies and other White House offices in the development of environmental policies and initiatives.The Council's Chair serves as the principal environmental policy adviser to the President. In addition, CEQ reports annually to the President on the state of the environment; oversees federal agency implementation of the environmental impact assessment process; and acts as a referee when agencies disagree over the adequacy of such assessments.

White House Office

White House Office

National Economic Council

National Economic Council

Domestic Policy

Council

Domestic Policy

Council

Council on Environmental

Quality

Council on Environmental

Quality

Council of Economic Advisors

Council of Economic Advisors

I’m done and would like to go on

The CabinetThe Cabinet

Click for more info on The E.O.P.

Click for more info on The E.O.P.

Department of State

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Department of State

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Department of the Treasury Timothy F. Geithner

Department of the Treasury Timothy F. Geithner

Department of Defense

Robert M. Gates

Department of Defense

Robert M. Gates

Department of Justice

Attorney General Eric H.

Holder, Jr

Department of Justice

Attorney General Eric H.

Holder, Jr

Department of the Interior

Kenneth L. Salazar

Department of the Interior

Kenneth L. Salazar

Department of Agriculture

Thomas J. Vilsack

Department of Agriculture

Thomas J. Vilsack

Department of Commerce

Secretary-designate:

Gary F. Locke

Department of Commerce

Secretary-designate:

Gary F. Locke

Department of Labor

Hilda L. Solis

Department of Labor

Hilda L. Solis

Department of Health and

Human ServicesKathleen Sebelius

Department of Health and

Human ServicesKathleen Sebelius

Department of Housing and

Urban Development

Shaun L.S. Donovan

Department of Housing and

Urban Development

Shaun L.S. Donovan

Department of TransportationRaymond L. LaHood

Department of TransportationRaymond L. LaHood

Department of EnergySteven Chu

Department of EnergySteven Chu

Department of Education

Arne Duncan

Department of Education

Arne Duncan

Department of Veterans Affairs

Eric K. Shinseki

Department of Veterans Affairs

Eric K. Shinseki

Department of Homeland Security

Janet A. Napolitano

Department of Homeland Security

Janet A. Napolitano

The State Department advances U.S. objectives and interests in the world through its primary role in developing and implementing the President's foreign policy. The Department also supports the foreign affairs activities of other U.S. Government entities including the United States Department of Commerce and the U.S. Agency for International Development. It also provides an array of important services to U.S. citizens and to foreigners seeking to visit or immigrate to the U.S. Some of the key programs the State Department run:• 190 Embassies • Over 250 Consulate offices• Assisting businesses in foreign

countries• Assisting US travelers

The State Department advances U.S. objectives and interests in the world through its primary role in developing and implementing the President's foreign policy. The Department also supports the foreign affairs activities of other U.S. Government entities including the United States Department of Commerce and the U.S. Agency for International Development. It also provides an array of important services to U.S. citizens and to foreigners seeking to visit or immigrate to the U.S. Some of the key programs the State Department run:• 190 Embassies • Over 250 Consulate offices• Assisting businesses in foreign

countries• Assisting US travelers

The Department of the Treasury is organized into two major components the Departmental offices and the Operating bureaus. The Departmental Offices are primarily responsible for the formulation of policy and management of the Department as a whole, while the Operating bureaus carry out the specific operations assigned to the Department. Our bureaus make up 98% of the Treasury work force. Some of the basic functions of the Department of the Treasury include:• Managing Federal finances• Collecting taxes, duties and

monies paid to and due to the U.S.; paying all bills of the U.S.

• Enforcing Federal finance and tax laws

• Currency and coinage

The Department of the Treasury is organized into two major components the Departmental offices and the Operating bureaus. The Departmental Offices are primarily responsible for the formulation of policy and management of the Department as a whole, while the Operating bureaus carry out the specific operations assigned to the Department. Our bureaus make up 98% of the Treasury work force. Some of the basic functions of the Department of the Treasury include:• Managing Federal finances• Collecting taxes, duties and

monies paid to and due to the U.S.; paying all bills of the U.S.

• Enforcing Federal finance and tax laws

• Currency and coinage

The Department of Justice is designed to enforce the law and defend the interests of the United States according to the law and to ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans. The DoJ is responsible for:

• Investigating and prosecuting violations of federal laws.

• Represents the United States in all legal matters, including cases before the Supreme Court.

• Enforces all immigration laws, provides information, and processes applications for citizenship

• Maintains the federal prison system, halfway houses, and community programs

The Department of Justice is designed to enforce the law and defend the interests of the United States according to the law and to ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans. The DoJ is responsible for:

• Investigating and prosecuting violations of federal laws.

• Represents the United States in all legal matters, including cases before the Supreme Court.

• Enforces all immigration laws, provides information, and processes applications for citizenship

• Maintains the federal prison system, halfway houses, and community programs

The Department of the Interior is responsible for the management and conservation of most federal land and the administration of programs relating to Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. A few of the agencies under the management of the DoI are:

• Bureau of Indian Affairs• US Fish and Wildlife Service• National Park Service• US Geological Survey

The Department of the Interior is responsible for the management and conservation of most federal land and the administration of programs relating to Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. A few of the agencies under the management of the DoI are:

• Bureau of Indian Affairs• US Fish and Wildlife Service• National Park Service• US Geological Survey

The United State Department of Agriculture is responsible for developing and executing U.S. federal government policy on farming, agriculture, and food. It aims to meet the needs of farmers and ranchers, promote agricultural trade and production, work to assure food safety, protect natural resources, foster rural communities and end hunger in the United States and abroad.

The United State Department of Agriculture is responsible for developing and executing U.S. federal government policy on farming, agriculture, and food. It aims to meet the needs of farmers and ranchers, promote agricultural trade and production, work to assure food safety, protect natural resources, foster rural communities and end hunger in the United States and abroad.

The Department of Labor responsible for occupational safety, wage and hour standards, unemployment insurance benefits, re-employment services, and some economic statistics. This agency is most well know for publishing the current unemployment numbers. This department is larger than people understand with over 17,000 employees and a budget of over $60 billion.

The Department of Labor responsible for occupational safety, wage and hour standards, unemployment insurance benefits, re-employment services, and some economic statistics. This agency is most well know for publishing the current unemployment numbers. This department is larger than people understand with over 17,000 employees and a budget of over $60 billion.

The Department of Commerce Is a department with loft goals and an equal number of tasks. Among its tasks are gathering economic and demographic data for business and government decision-making, issuing patents and trademarks, and helping to set industrial standards.

Some of the most notable agencies under the Department of Commerce are:

• National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (weather service)

• Bureau of the Census• Patent and Trademark office• Economic Development

Administration

The Department of Commerce Is a department with loft goals and an equal number of tasks. Among its tasks are gathering economic and demographic data for business and government decision-making, issuing patents and trademarks, and helping to set industrial standards.

Some of the most notable agencies under the Department of Commerce are:

• National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (weather service)

• Bureau of the Census• Patent and Trademark office• Economic Development

Administration

The department of homeland security whereas the department of defense is charged with military actions abroad, the department of homeland security works in the civilian sphere to protect the united states within, at, and outside its borders. Its stated goal is to prepare for, prevent, and respond to domestic emergencies, particularly terrorism. 22 once separate agencies are now under the direction of homeland security. Here is a short list:• Customs• Coastguard• Secret service• Immigration/naturalization• Border patrol• Federal emergency management

agency (FEMA)

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for administering programs of veterans’ benefits for veterans, their families, and survivors. The benefits provided include disability compensation, pension, education, home loans, life insurance, vocational rehabilitation, survivors’ benefits, medical benefits and burial benefits. Of the 25 million veterans currently alive, nearly three of every four served during a war or an official period of hostility. About a quarter of the nation's population -- approximately 70 million people -- are potentially eligible for VA benefits and services because they are veterans, family members or survivors of veterans

The Department of Education is by far the smallest Cabinet-level department, with about 5,000 employees. The Department of Education is to formulate federal funding programs involving education and to enforce federal educational laws regarding privacy and civil rights. The department of education carries out such programs as:• No Child Left Behind• Federal Testing• Sets minimum educational

requirements• Sets minimal requirements for

teachers/administrators.

In the United States, Education is mostly a states rights issue and thus the Federal Government has limited authority in policy making.

The Department of Energy’s overarching mission is to advance the national, economic, and energy security of the United States; to promote scientific and technological innovation in support of that mission; and to ensure the environmental cleanup of the national nuclear weapons complex. Chief goals are:• Energy Security  • Nuclear Security• Scientific Discovery and

Innovation• Environmental Responsibility

Little know fact, the Department of Energy is in charge of anything nuclear including nuclear weapons and medical devises that use nuclear material.

Department of Transportation. This department overseas and sets into place any policy and/or laws that deal with transporting anything from point A to point B. The agency overseas safety and rules for everything from the operation of your school bus to Boeing 747’s to the long haul trucker.Here are the most well know agencies under the DoT:• Federal Aviation Administration• Federal Highway Administration• Federal Railroad Administration• Federal Transit Administration• Maritime Administration• National Highway Traffic Safety

Department of Housing and Urban Development. The major program offices are:• Section 8 Housing• Housing Opportunities for

Persons with AIDS (HOPWA).• Mission regulation of Fannie Mae

and Freddie Mac• Building and housing regulations• Administration of housing

programs for the Elderly and Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities

• This office enforces Federal laws against discrimination against minority households, families with children, and persons with disability.

• Policy Development and Research (PD&R): This office is responsible for maintaining current information on housing needs and market conditions

The Department of Health and Human Services. responsible for the health and wellbeing of all Americans. The agency is divided into two segments; The United States Health Service and the Public Health Service Corps (headed by the Surgeon General)The Department of Health and Human Services' budget includes more than 300 programs, covering a wide spectrum of activities. Some highlights include:• Health and social science

research • Preventing disease, including

immunization services • Assuring food and drug safety • Medicare and Medicaid• Medical preparedness for

emergencies, including potential terrorism

The Department Defense is the federal department charged with coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government relating directly to national security and the military. The DoD includes the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, as well as non-combat agencies such as the National Security Agency and the Defense Intelligence Agency. The DoD's annual budget was roughly $786 billion in 2007. This figure does not include tens of billions more in supplemental expenditures allotted by Congress throughout the year, particularly for the war in Iraq. It also does not include expenditures by the Department of Energy on nuclear weapons design and testing This is the largest agency with nearly 2.5 million employees. I’m done and would

like to go on

As you can see, the Executive Branch is much more than just the President.

Remember Article II of the Constitution, says the President is responsible for the execution and enforcement of the laws created by Congress.

The President runs Fifteen executive departments — each led by an appointed member of the President's Cabinet . These secretaries carry out the day-to-day administration of the federal government.

They are joined in this by other executive agencies such as the CIA and Environmental Protection Agency, the heads of which are not part of the Cabinet, but who are under the full authority of the President.

The President also appoints the heads of more than 50 independent federal commissions, such as the Federal Reserve Board or the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as federal judges, ambassadors, and other federal offices.

Who helps the president make all these decisions? The Executive Office of the President (EOP) which consists of the immediate staff to the President, along with entities such as the Office of Management and Budget and the Office of the United States Trade Representative.

That was a lot of information… my brain hurts. I think I’m

done for now.

That was a lot of information… my brain hurts. I think I’m

done for now.

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back to the beginning.

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