Isabella Carter
The United States federal government comprises several agencies, including executive departments and independent agencies. While the exact number of federal agencies is unclear due to varying and contradictory definitions, there are currently 15 executive departments, each led by a secretary appointed by the President. These departments serve as the administrative arms of the President and include areas such as agriculture, health, education, transportation, and more. In addition to the executive departments, numerous independent agencies exist, such as the U.S. Agency for Global Media and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency. These agencies operate across a diverse range of sectors, including education, national security, and cultural preservation.
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What You'll Learn
The executive branch of the federal government
The US federal government is divided into three branches: the executive, the legislative, and the judicial. The executive branch is responsible for executing federal laws and approving or vetoing new legislation passed by Congress. It includes the Executive Office of the President and the federal executive departments, whose secretaries belong to the Cabinet. The Cabinet serves as advisors to the President and includes the vice president, heads of executive departments, and other high-ranking government officials.
The executive branch also includes independent agencies, boards, commissions, and committees. These agencies are not subordinated under a Cabinet position, and their employees are considered civil servants. Examples of independent agencies include the United States Postal Service (USPS), NASA, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). There are also government-owned corporations within the executive branch, such as the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the National Railroad Passenger Corporation.
The executive branch has the authority to create and oversee executive departments and courts subordinate to the US Supreme Court. This includes the establishment of federal courts under Article Three of the US Constitution, such as the Alien Terrorist Removal Court and the US bankruptcy courts.
Additionally, the executive branch is subject to the system of checks and balances, where each branch of the government can respond to the actions of the others. For example, the President can veto legislation created by Congress, but Congress also has the power to confirm or reject the President's nominees for federal agency heads and high court appointees. In exceptional circumstances, Congress even has the power to remove the President from office.
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The legislative branch oversees the Library of Congress
The Library of Congress (LOC) is a federal cultural institution in the United States, founded in 1800. It is overseen by the Librarian of Congress, who is responsible for managing the library and setting policies, and supported by over 3,000 staff. The LOC is one of the largest libraries in the world, housing approximately 173 million items, including research materials in over 470 languages. The library's primary mission is to inform legislation through the Congressional Research Service, which provides confidential, objective, and authoritative research and analysis to Congress.
The Library of Congress has a rich history, starting as a small congressional library in the Capitol when Congress moved to Washington in 1800. The library gained significance during the American Civil War, as the demand for legislative research increased to meet the needs of a growing federal government. In 1870, the library acquired the right to receive two copies of every copyrightable work printed in the United States, significantly expanding its collections.
The Library of Congress has undergone several expansions and acquisitions over the years. The Thomas Jefferson Building, constructed between 1890 and 1897, is a testament to its growth. The John Adams Building, opened in 1939, and the James Madison Memorial Building, opened in 1980, further added to its capacity. The library's collections are diverse and universal, covering various subjects and languages, reflecting Jefferson's belief that "there is, in fact, no subject to which a Member of Congress may not have occasion to refer."
The Legislative Branch's oversight of the Library of Congress extends to various programs, agencies, and services. One notable example is the Open World Leadership Center, established in 2000, which administered professional exchanges for emerging post-Soviet leaders. Additionally, the Veterans History Project, mandated in 2000, collects and preserves the personal accounts of American war veterans. The LOC also houses the National Film Preservation Board, selecting twenty-five American films annually for preservation in the National Film Registry. These initiatives highlight the Legislative Branch's commitment to preserving history, culture, and knowledge through the Library of Congress.
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The judicial branch includes the federal judiciary
The US government is divided into three distinct branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Each branch has its own unique roles and areas of authority, and they operate within a constitutional system of "checks and balances". This means that while the branches are formally independent of each other, they must also cooperate. For example, federal laws are passed by Congress and signed by the President, but it is the judicial branch that has the authority to decide the constitutionality of these laws and resolve other cases involving them.
The US Constitution establishes the judicial branch as one of the three separate branches of the federal government. This system of separation of powers ensures that no one branch of the government can overpower another. While the President can veto legislation created by Congress, and Congress can confirm or reject the President's nominees for federal agencies and high court appointees, it is the judicial branch that has the power to overturn unconstitutional laws.
The judicial branch is essential for maintaining the balance of power between the legislative and executive branches. It provides a peaceful way to resolve disputes that people cannot resolve themselves, with cases being heard in either federal or state courts depending on the nature of the dispute or crime.
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The Department of Agriculture
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an executive department of the United States federal government. It was given cabinet-level status in 1889. The USDA is headed by the secretary of agriculture, who reports directly to the president of the United States and is a member of the president's Cabinet. The current secretary is Brooke Rollins, who has served in this role since February 13, 2025.
The USDA's mission is to meet the needs of commercial farming and livestock food production, promote agricultural trade and production, ensure food safety, protect natural resources, foster rural communities, and work to end hunger in the United States and internationally. The USDA provides leadership on food, agriculture, and natural resources, and related issues. It assists farmers and food producers with the sale of crops and food in domestic and international markets. The department also plays a role in overseas aid programs by providing surplus foods to developing countries through organisations such as USAID, foreign governments, international bodies, and approved nonprofits.
The USDA offers a variety of grants, loans, and other financial assistance, including pandemic relief to farmers, ranchers, agricultural producers, researchers, and citizens. The department also administers nutrition assistance programs such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), which provides nutrition benefits to needy families. Approximately 71% of the USDA's $213 billion budget goes towards these nutrition assistance programs, which are administered by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).
The USDA has a long history of supporting American agriculture. During the Great Depression, for example, the USDA helped ensure food production and distribution to those in need, provided loans for small landowners, and offered technical advice. In more recent years, the USDA has emphasised its focus on environmental justice in rural communities and connecting with Indigenous Tribes to ensure they understand and receive their environmental rights.
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The Department of Economic Development
The number of federal agencies in the US is difficult to ascertain due to varied and sometimes contradictory definitions of a "federal agency". The US Government Manual and Administrative Procedure Act do not provide clear definitions, and Congress can define agencies as it chooses through enabling legislation.
One such federal agency is the Economic Development Administration (EDA), a department within the US Department of Commerce. The EDA's mission is to stimulate economic growth in communities across the country. It provides grants to economically distressed communities to generate new employment and stimulate industrial and commercial growth. The EDA's investment policy is designed to establish a foundation for sustainable job growth and the building of durable regional economies. This foundation is based on two key economic drivers: innovation and regional collaboration.
Innovation is key to global competitiveness, creating new and better jobs, building a resilient economy, and achieving national economic goals. Regional collaboration is essential for economic recovery, as regions that work together to leverage resources and address weaknesses will be more successful in the new global economy.
The EDA was reauthorized by Congress for the first time in 20 years, along with other regional commissions, to modernize and continue its mission of promoting economic growth. The EDA is headquartered in Washington, DC, and its activities are overseen by the US Department of Commerce.
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Frequently asked questions
There are 15 executive departments, but the exact number of federal agencies is unclear due to varied and contradictory definitions of "agency".
Some federal agencies in the US include the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Justice, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Department of Transportation.
Federal agencies in the US have a range of responsibilities, including overseeing national records, administering grants, and executing federal laws.
