Chapter 11 Structure and Functions of the Executive

Chapter 11 Structure and Functions of the Executive Branch

Who are they? How are they selected? What do they do?

The Role of the Cabinet • President selects cabinet – Cabinet – close adviser to the president – VP and 15 other departments – Senate must approve all nominations – Check and Balance • Factors in choosing cabinet – Experience in Policy » Experience in their area/department – Administrative experience » Manage and supervise many people and programs – Support president’s plans » Loyalty to party and president – Support from various groups » Support from interest groups – Demographic Diversity » Represent different demographics (race/gender/location)

Steps in the Process of Appointing Members of the Cabinet • Presidential nomination – White House review – Paperwork financial disclosure – FBI investigation • Senate confirmation hearings – Senate vote (majority needed)

The First Executive Departments: George Washington’s Presidency • Department of State - Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson • Department of the Treasury - Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton • Department of War - Secretary of Defense Henry Knox • Office of the Attorney General - Edmund Randolph -became the Department of Justice in 1870 Today there are fifteen departments.

Presidential Cabinet Today • Secretary of State • Secretary of the Treasury • Attorney General (Justice Dept. ) • Secretary of Defense • Secretary of the Interior • Secretary of Agriculture • Secretary of Commerce • Secretary of Labor • Secretary of Health and Human Services • Secretary of Housing and Urban Development • Secretary of Transportation • Secretary of Energy • Secretary of Education • Secretary of Veterans Affairs • Secretary of Homeland Security

Functions and limits of the Cabinet • Functions – Advise the president / run the executive branch • Importance? – Some presidents do not rely on their cabinet members. » Lincoln – Some rely heavily on cabinet » FDR • Limitations – Loyalty • • President Officials in their dept. Members of congress Special interest groups

Executive office of the President • Group of advisers to help the president – Office of management and Budget • Prepares national budget – Each Department submits their budget – OMB reviews and creates national budget – National Security Council • Advise and conduct military action and foreign policy • National Security Advisor – director of National Security Council – Vice President, Secretary of State, Secretary of Treasury, and Secretary of Defense. – Economic Advisers • Nations economic health, plan economic future, fix certain problems. – Members must be confirmed by the Senate

Office of the White House • Group of advisers “Inner Circle” – Political strategy, communicate on behalf of the president, run day-to-day operations • People are chosen without Senate approval • VP, Spouse, Friends, Supporters – Chief of Staff – most trust adviser • Oversees operations of the White House – Political strategy, affect of policy decisions – Press Secretary – handle relations with the press • In charge of releasing information to the Press Steve Bannon Reince Priebus

11. 2 Cabinet Departments and Agencies © 2012, TESCCC

Department of State & Treasury • Handles the foreign policy of the nation • Staffs embassies • Analyzes data about American interests in other nations • Speaks for the United States at the United Nations

Department of Homeland Security • Charged with protecting the security of America’s borders, shores, land the safety of its people • Newest department created in 2002 after September 11, 2001 © 2012, TESCCC

Department of Justice & Defense • Oversees the nation’s legal affairs • Supervises the agencies that serve as the nation’s police and prison system • Enforces antitrust laws

Department of Interior & Agriculture • Protects the public lands and natural resources throughout the United States • Oversees relationships with American Indian nations • Helps farmers improve incomes and production for home and abroad • Develops conservation programs • Safeguards the nation’s food supply

Department of Commerce & Labor • Promotes and protects the industrial and commercial parts of the economy • Carries out the census

Department of Health and Human Services & Housing and Urban Development • Oversees programs concerned with health and social services of the American people • Manages federal Medicare and Medicaid

Department of Transportation and Energy • Regulates America’s transportation needs, policies and planning • Works to ensure safe, efficient, and convenient land, sea, rail, and air transportation including monitoring inland waterways and highways

Department of Education & Veteran Affairs • Establishes policy for, administers and coordinates most federal assistance to education, collects data on US schools, and enforces federal educational laws regarding privacy and civil rights • Its mission is: to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access

Other Agencies • NASA – National Aeronautics and Space Administration • Government Corporations – business that the Federal government runs • FDIC – Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation • USPS – United States Postal Service • Commissions – • independent agencies that have government’s authority to issue licenses and punish people – – FCC – Federal communication commission EPA – Environmental Protection Agency FTC – Federal Trade Commission FEC – Federal Election Commission

11. 3 Federal Workforce and Civil Service

Spoil System & Civil Service • Spoil System – Politician rewarding loyal political supporters • “to the victor goes the Spoil” • Andrew Jackson appointed loyal members of political party • Civil Service – Government employment based on competitive exams and merit – Pendleton Act – Hires and employs people who are qualified for the job. • Leads to corruption – Illegal to hire or fire someone based on political reasons. Hip Hughes – Spoil System

Civil Service • Office of Personal Management – Responsible for filling federal jobs • Jobs are attractive to people – many benefits – Health insurance, paid vacations, retirement – Federal employees join unions • Job security – can’t be fired “at will” • Whistleblowers – employees who report corruption by the government – Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act (2012) » Protects whistleblowers from being fired.

11. 4 Executive Branch at Work © 2012, TESCCC

Public Policy • Public Policy – plan of action adopted by government decision makers – Solve a problem or reach a goal • Different agencies help conduct public policy – Bureaucracy – implement laws created by public policy • Liaison officers – Officers within cabinets – Officer who helps to make sure bills are being passed through congress » Supply information to law makers

Rules and Policy • Federal Bureaucrats carry out policies Congress makes and signed by the President – Bureaucracy spells out how the law is actually enforced • Rules + regulations – Social Security – financial aid for disabled people » Bureaucrats then have to decide who actually is qualified to receive payments – Input from Citizens • Stakeholders – citizens who are affected by public policy – Law makers publish drafts and receive input from people » Lobbyists + Interest Groups • Injunction – order that will stop an action or enforce a rule or regulation © 2012, TESCCC

Size of Bureaucracy • Helpful to run the country? – OR? • Federal government becoming too large? – Growth of Bureaucracy • Population of the Country – 300+ million people – requires government to grow • Industrial and Technology – Urban and technological age • Global Economy – US economy involved with many other nations • National Security – Threats to our nation + international conflicts • Economic Crises – Government creates programs to help stimulate jobs © 2012, TESCCC

Interest Groups and Bureaucracy • Government agencies – Iron Triangle – Relationship between three groups that affect public policy • Congressional Committees, Client Groups and Federal department – Makes it difficult for outside voices to be heard – Hard to eliminate agencies – Client Groups – individuals and groups who with the government agency • Most affected by decisions – Influence agencies through lobbyists © 2012, TESCCC

Government Regulation • Social Contract Theory • Economy + Environment + Businesses + National Security • Can hurt businesses – Regulations • Protect consumers, workers, environment • “RED TAPE” – burdensome regulations and requirements – Makes it hard to get things done – Deregulate – call for a smaller government • Remove regulations © 2012, TESCCC