The Presidents Cabinet Who Are They How are

The President’s Cabinet Who Are They? ? ? How are they selected? ? ?

Constitutional Authority? ? ? • Not a formal organization mandated by law • Developed over the years as an informal group of advisors from each of the executive departments 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…”

Interesting Facts about Presidential Cabinets • George 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 the seven members 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. • Ronald Reagan held cabinet meetings an average of twice a week to stay informed.

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 Randolphbecame the Department of Justice in 1870 Today there are fifteen departments.

Presidential Cabinet Today • • Secretary of State Secretary of the Treasury Attorney General Department 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

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

Secretary of State • On January 21, 2009, Hillary Rodham Clinton was sworn in as the 67 th Secretary of State of the United States. • Secretary Clinton joined the State Department after nearly four decades in public service as an advocate, attorney, First Lady, and Senator. • She has traveled to more than 80 countries as a representative of our country, winning respect as a champion of human rights, democracy and civil society.

Department of the Treasury • Serves as the financial division of the government • Manages public debt • Collects taxes • Manufactures coins and currency • Administers explosive and firearm laws • Regulates the production and distribution of alcohol and tobacco

Secretary of the Treasury • On January 26, 2009, Timothy F. Geithner was sworn in as the 75 th. Secretary of the United States Department of the Treasury • Served as the ninth president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York • First joined the Department of Treasury in 1988 and worked in three administrations for five Secretaries of the Treasury in a variety of positions.

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

Attorney General • Eric H. Holder, Jr. was sworn in as the 82 nd Attorney General of the United States on February 3, 2009 • In 1997, Mr. Holder was named by President Clinton to be the Deputy Attorney General, the first African. American named to that post. Prior to that he served as U. S. Attorney for the District of Columbia.

Department of Defense • Protects the security of the United States • Oversees the armed forces through the Joint Chiefs of Staff • Until 1949 was called the Department of War

Secretary of Defense • Leon Edward Panetta was sworn in as the 23 rd Secretary of Defense on July 1, 2011 • Served as the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency from February 2009 to June 2011.

Department of Interior • Protects the public lands and natural resources throughout the U. S. • Oversees relationships with Native Americans

Secretary of the Interior • Ken Salazar, was confirmed as the 50 th secretary of the U. S. Department of the Interior on Jan. 20, 2009, in a unanimous vote by the U. S. Senate. • Prior to his confirmation, Salazar served as Colorado's 35 th U. S. senator, winning election in November 2004 and serving on the Finance Committee, which oversees the nation's tax, trade, socialsecurity, and health-care systems. • He also served on the Agriculture, Energy and Natural Resources, Ethics, Veterans Affairs and Aging Committees.

Department of Agriculture • Helps farmers improve incomes and production for home and abroad • Develops conservation programs • Safeguards the nation’s food supply

Secretary of Agriculture • Tom Vilsack serves as the Nation's 30 th Secretary of the Agriculture.

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

Secretary of Commerce • Rebecca M. Blank is currently the Acting Secretary of Commerce and Deputy Secretary of Commerce. She assumed the role of Acting Secretary in June, 2012 when Secretary John Bryson resigned following a medical leave of absence. • Dr. Blank was confirmed as the Deputy Secretary of Commerce in March 2012, after serving as the Acting Deputy Secretary for most of the previous year.

Department of Labor • Ensures safe working conditions • Oversees minimum wages and protects pensions • Collects and analyzes data on employment

Secretary of Labor • Secretary Hilda L. Solis was confirmed as Secretary of Labor on February 24, 2009. • Solis represented the 32 nd Congressional District in California, a position she held from 2001 – 2009. • In the Congress, Solis’ priorities included expanding access to affordable health care, protecting the environment, and improving the lives of working families.

Department of Health and Human Services • Oversees programs concerned with health and social services of the American people • Manages federal medicare and medicaid

Secretary of Health and Human Services • Kathleen Sebelius was sworn in as the 21 st Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on April 28, 2009. • Secretary Sebelius has led ambitious efforts to improve America’s health and enhance the delivery of human services to some of the nation’s most vulnerable populations, including young children, those with disabilities, and the elderly. • As part of the historic Affordable Care Act, Secretary Sebelius is implementing reforms that end many of the insurance industry’s worst abuses, and will help 34 million uninsured Americans get health coverage.

Department of Housing and Urban Development • Works to assist communities in the nation • Ensures equal housing opportunities

Secretary for Housing and Urban Development • On January 26, 2009, Shaun Donovan was sworn in as the 15 th United States Secretary for Housing and Urban Development. • He has devoted his career to ensuring access to safe, decent, and affordable housing, and has continued that effort in the Obama Administration.

Department of Transportation • Regulates America’s transportation needs, policies and planning. • Works to ensure safe, efficient, and convenient land air transportation

Secretary of Transportation • Secretary Ray La. Hood became the 16 th Secretary of Transportation on January 23, 2009 • Served for 14 years in the U. S. House of Representatives from the 18 th District of Illinois (from 1995 -2009) • Secretary La. Hood started career as a junior high school teacher

Department of Energy • Plans energy policy • Researches and develops energy technology

SECRETARY OF ENERGY • As United States Secretary of Energy, Dr. Steven Chu is charged with helping implement President Obama's ambitious agenda to invest in clean energy, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, address the global climate crisis, and create millions of new jobs. • Dr. Chu is the co-recipient of the Nobel Prize for Physics (1997) and received numerous other awards. He has devoted his recent scientific career to the search for new solutions to our energy and climate challenges - a mission he continues with even greater urgency as Secretary of Energy.

Department of Education • Co-ordinates federal assistance programs for public and private schools • Develops programs to help students with limited English proficiency and physically challenged students

Secretary of Education • Arne Duncan is the ninth U. S. secretary of education. • The Department has focused billions of dollars to transform struggling schools, prompting nearly 1, 000 low-performing schools nationwide to recruit new staff, adopt new teaching methods, and add learning time.

Department of Veterans Affairs • Oversees medical care for veterans and families • Manages educational programs for veterans

Secretary of Veterans Affairs • Retired U. S. Army General Eric K. Shinseki was nominated by President Barack Obama on December 7, 2008 • Served as Chief of Staff, United States Army, from 1999 to June 11, 2003, and retired from active duty on August 1, 2003. • During his tenure, he initiated the Army Transformation Campaign to address both the emerging strategic challenges of the early 21 st century and the need for cultural and technological change in the United States Army.

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

Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security • Janet Napolitano was sworn in on January 21, 2009 as the third Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. • Former Governor of Arizona

Other Cabinet Rank Members • The Vice President • Head of the Office of Management and Budget • Head of the Environmental Protection Agency • White House chief of Staff • United States Trade Representative • Head of the Office of Nation Drug Control Policy

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)