Omar Bennett
The Executive Branch of the United States government is led by the President, who acts as head of state and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. The President is responsible for enforcing laws written by Congress and appoints the heads of federal agencies, including the 15 executive departments, which are carried out by the Cabinet. The Vice President is also part of the Executive Branch and can assume the Presidency if required. The Cabinet and independent federal agencies are responsible for the day-to-day enforcement and administration of federal laws, with departments including the Department of Defense, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Homeland Security.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Departments | 15 |
| Power Vested In | President of the United States |
| President's Role | Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces |
| President's Responsibility | Implementing and enforcing laws written by Congress |
| Vice President's Role | Ready to assume the Presidency if needed |
| Cabinet's Responsibility | Day-to-day enforcement and administration of Federal laws |
| Departments with Small Employee Headcounts | Education, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation |
| Departments with Large Missions | Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security |
| Other Agencies | CIA, Environmental Protection Agency, Social Security Administration, Securities and Exchange Commission |
| Number of Americans Employed | Over 4 million |
| Department Proposers | John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Mike McConnell, Arlen Specter |
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What You'll Learn
Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense (DoD, USDOD, or DOD) is an executive department of the US federal government. It is America's largest government agency, with over 2.91 million employees, including more than 2 million military retirees. The DoD's mission is "to provide the military forces needed to deter war and ensure our nation's security".
The DoD is headed by the secretary of defense, a cabinet-level head who reports directly to the president. The secretary of defense is part of the line of succession to the president, based on when the Department of War was formed. The authority and control of the Armed Forces are executed through two chains of command: the president, through the secretary of defense, to the Combatant Commanders (CCDRs) for missions and forces assigned to Combatant Commands (CCMDs); and the president, through the secretary of defense, to the Secretaries of the Military Departments (MilDeps) for purposes other than operational direction of forces assigned to the CCMDs.
The DoD is the successor agency to the National Military Establishment, established by the National Security Act Amendments of 1949. It coordinates and supervises the six US armed services: the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Space Force, and the Coast Guard for some purposes, as well as related functions and agencies. The department has a vast budget, with spending in 2017 accounting for 15% of the US budget and 38% of the budgeted global military spending.
The DoD also provides healthcare services through its TRICARE program, serving approximately 9.4 million beneficiaries. Additionally, it executes a multibillion-dollar global supply chain and manages a 5 million-item inventory. The department has faced challenges with financial management, including wasteful spending and difficulties in accounting for its assets.
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Department of Veterans Affairs
The United States Executive Branch is composed of 15 departments, each with its unique responsibilities and missions. One of these departments is the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which holds a prominent role in the Executive Branch. The VA is dedicated to serving and supporting veterans of the United States Armed Forces, and its mission is deeply intertwined with the history of America's wars. The VA's responsibilities include providing health care, education, disability services, funerary honours, and financial benefits to those who have served in the nation's military.
The history of the VA dates back to the country's early wars, including the American Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and World Wars I and II. The middle section of Abraham Lincoln's quote, "to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan," became the guiding principle for the VA. The VA's evolution has been significantly influenced by the nation's wars, with the majority of military casualties occurring in eight major conflicts, including the American Civil War, World War I, World War II, and the Vietnam War.
The VA's Veterans Health Administration is the largest integrated healthcare network in the United States, serving 9 million enrolled veterans annually through 1,255 healthcare facilities. The VA also assists veterans in transitioning to civilian life through the Veterans Benefits Administration, providing support with education, home loans, life insurance, and career development. Additionally, the VA's National Cemetery Administration ensures dignified burial services for veterans and eligible family members, maintaining over 150 cemeteries as national shrines.
The VA became the 14th Department in the President's Cabinet, with legislation signed by President Reagan elevating it to Cabinet status. The Department is headed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, who is appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Secretary oversees the VA's mission and is supported by the Deputy Secretary, who serves as the Chief Operating Officer. The VA is committed to serving veterans and their beneficiaries with integrity, respect, and excellence, striving for continuous improvement in its services.
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Department of Homeland Security
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is a US federal department established in 2002 by the Homeland Security Act. It is the third-largest department in the President's Cabinet, employing 216,000 people. The Cabinet is an advisory body comprising the heads of the 15 executive departments, appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
The DHS was formed in response to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, to consolidate 22 executive branch agencies related to "homeland security" into a single organisation. These agencies include the US Customs Service, the US Coast Guard, the US Secret Service, the Transportation Security Administration, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The department's mission is to prevent and disrupt terrorist attacks, protect critical infrastructure and American citizens, and respond to and recover from incidents that occur. This includes patrolling borders, protecting travellers and transportation infrastructure, enforcing immigration laws, and responding to disasters and emergencies. The DHS also promotes preparedness and emergency prevention among citizens.
The DHS has a significant budget, with a net discretionary budget of $47.716 billion in fiscal year 2018. The department has also been involved in initiatives such as the "If You See Something, Say Something®" campaign, which aims to raise public awareness of the signs of terrorism and terrorism-related crimes, and how to report suspicious activity.
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Department of State
The Executive Branch of the US government is made up of 15 departments, including the Department of State. The power of the Executive Branch is vested in the President, who acts as the head of state and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. The President is responsible for enforcing the laws written by Congress and appoints the heads of the federal agencies, including the Cabinet. The Cabinet is an advisory body made up of the Vice President, heads of the 15 executive departments, and the Attorney General.
The Department of State falls under the Executive Branch and is responsible for the nation's foreign policy and relations. It advises the President and represents the country in international affairs. The Secretary of State, who leads the department, is a member of the President's Cabinet and is fourth in the line of succession to the President. The Department of State has a wide range of responsibilities, including diplomatic relations, foreign aid, and promoting the country's interests abroad. It works closely with other agencies and organizations to achieve its goals and advance the nation's interests.
The Department of State has a long history and has played a significant role in shaping the country's foreign policy. It was established in 1789 and has since then been responsible for conducting the nation's diplomatic relations and representing its interests worldwide. The department has a vast network of embassies, consulates, and diplomatic missions around the globe, which facilitate its operations and engagements with foreign governments and international organizations.
The State Department's responsibilities include issuing passports to US citizens, providing assistance to Americans abroad, and promoting international trade and investment. It also plays a crucial role in national security by gathering intelligence and working to counter global threats. The department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security is responsible for safeguarding US diplomatic missions and personnel worldwide, while its Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation works to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction.
The Department of State's publications and documents are a valuable source of information for researchers and the general public. Its website provides access to a range of resources, including daily press briefings, performance and budget reports, and policy papers. The department's most requested publications and reports to Congress are highlighted and easily accessible. The website also offers quick links to the most recently published performance-related plans and reports, providing transparency and accountability.
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Department of Labor
The United States Department of Labor (DOL) was created in 1913 to assist workers, job seekers, and retirees by establishing standards for wages, occupational safety, hours, and benefits, as well as by collecting economic statistics. The department's creation can be traced back to 1884 when the U.S. Congress established the Bureau of Labor Statistics within the Department of the Interior to gather information on labor and employment. This bureau later became independent as the Department of Labor in 1888, but it lacked executive rank. In 1903, it merged with the Department of Commerce, only to become an independent department again in 1913 under President William Howard Taft, who signed the bill officially establishing it as an executive department.
The Department of Labor's mission is to promote the well-being of American workers, job seekers, and retirees. It does this by ensuring fair and safe working conditions, providing workforce development, and delivering unemployment benefits and other critical services. The department also collects, analyses, and publishes economic and labour data, such as employment rates, wages, and prices. This data is used to inform policy decisions and to help businesses and workers make informed choices.
The Department of Labor is led by the Secretary of Labor, who is a member of the President's Cabinet. The first Secretary of Labor was William B. Wilson, appointed by President Woodrow Wilson in 1913. The current Secretary of Labor is Lori Chavez-DeRemer. The department is organised into several agencies and offices, each with its specific responsibilities and functions. These include the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Wage and Hour Division, the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, and the Employment and Training Administration.
The Department of Labor has undergone several changes and reforms throughout its history. One notable example is the Federal Employees' Compensation Act of 1916, which introduced benefits for federal workers injured or ill due to their workplace. The act led to the creation of an agency responsible for federal workers' compensation, which was later transferred to the Department of Labor in the 1940s. Additionally, in the 1970s, the department made significant efforts to promote racial diversity in unions following the civil rights movement.
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