The U.S. President and the Cabinet: The Executive Branch
The U.S. executive branch is made up of two essential components: the president and the Cabinet he or she selects to represent each of the 15 major departments of U.S. government. The Cabinet is an intimate group that meets at least once a week to discuss the most essential aspects of U.S. policy and government with the president. Members of the executive branch function not only as essential policymakers, but also as direct representatives of the American electorate.
Expand All Guide SectionsThe Role of the U.S. President and Cabinet
The following sites provide historical and contextual background for the executive branch of the ... read more »
How the U.S. Presidential Cabinet Functions
We hear about the U.S. Cabinet and its decisions every day in the news, and although it is an essential element in U.S. politics, many Americans aren’t familiar with exactly how the Cabinet works. The following sites provide an overview of the rules that govern the Cabinet and the U.S. departments it represents.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Cabinet members are selected by the president and generally serve with him throughout the length of his term. When the president leaves office, his Cabinet resigns as well.
- A traditional presidential Cabinet contains these positions: the vice president, the attorney general, and the heads of 15 executive departments: the secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Justice, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury and Veterans Affairs.
Dulcinea's Picks
Ben’s Guide to U.S. Government for Kids
presents “The President’s Cabinet,” a basic overview of the purpose, selection process and qualifications of Cabinet members. The site lists each department and its role in U.S. government, and clarifies the role of each Cabinet member in advising the president.
The U.S. Constitution Online
has a section on the U.S. Cabinet that explains how the Constitution implied that a Cabinet should be created. The site provides a chart listing the departments and the date each one was officially added by Congress to the executive branch. You’ll also learn which president was the first to appoint a secretary to each Cabinet position.
Presidents and Their Cabinets in History
The sites below provide information on the careers of past presidents and the politicians who ... read more »
President Obama and His Cabinet
Discover who President Obama has selected to represent his Cabinet thus far and what their roles ... read more »
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