
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.
The 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 ... read more »
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 entail. Because there are so many secretaries to keep track of, it’s easy to forget which name goes with which department: these sites offer profiles and information on members of the new administration.
Dulcinea's Insight
- If you encounter a term you don’t recognize, visit a glossary of political terms, like this one, presented by ThisNation.com.
Dulcinea's Picks
The White House
official Web Site is the definitive source of information on the president and the executive branch as a whole, offering current news and historical detail. Visit "The Administration" to learn about incoming members of the Obama team, including biographies of the First Lady and Dr. Jill Biden as well as those who will serve in the Cabinet, as White House staff and in the Executive Office of the President.
The New York Times
profiles all of the confirmed Cabinet secretaries. You’ll see a photo of each department head, along with links to descriptions of each member's responsibilities and up-to-date biographical information on each.