
The US Cabinet is an advisory body made up of the heads of 15 executive departments, appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The President is responsible for the execution and enforcement of laws created by Congress, and the 15 executive departments carry out the day-to-day administration of the federal government. The Secretary of State is the most senior official in the Department of State and a member of the Cabinet who advises the President of the United States. The Department of State works to maintain diplomatic relations with about 180 countries and many international organizations, adding up to 273 posts around the world. The President of the United States is the Chief Diplomat and is given the power to negotiate with foreign governments and appoint ambassadors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Role | To advise the President on any subject relating to the duties of each member’s respective office |
| Appointment | Appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate |
| Members | The heads of the 15 executive departments |
| Powers | The President is the Chief Diplomat of the United States and has the power to negotiate with foreign governments and appoint ambassadors |
| Diplomacy | The Department of State works in close coordination with other federal agencies, including the departments of Defense, Treasury, and Commerce |
| Secretary of State | The most senior official in the Department of State and a member of the Cabinet who answers directly to, and advises, the President of the United States |
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What You'll Learn

The President is the Chief Diplomat
The President's role as Chief Diplomat involves representing the interests of the United States abroad and negotiating treaties with foreign leaders. For example, President Clinton made peacemaking in Ireland a diplomatic goal during his administration, travelling to Northern Ireland in 1995 to engage directly with the Irish people on the issue of peace.
The President is advised by the Cabinet, which is an advisory body made up of the heads of 15 executive departments. The Cabinet members are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, often becoming the President's closest confidants. One of the key roles of the Cabinet is to advise the President on matters relating to their respective offices, including foreign policy and diplomacy.
The Secretary of State, as the chief executive officer of the Department of State, is a crucial member of the Cabinet in the realm of diplomacy. The Department of State is responsible for maintaining diplomatic relations with other countries and international organizations, with about 5,000 employees working on tasks such as compiling and analyzing reports from overseas, providing logistical support, and formulating the budget. The Secretary of State advises the President directly on foreign policy matters and works closely with other federal agencies, such as the Departments of Defense, Treasury, and Commerce.
The Department of State is organized into various offices and bureaus that support policy planning, coordination, and execution. The Under Secretary for Political Affairs, for instance, manages day-to-day regional and bilateral policy issues, while the Assistant Secretaries guide the operation of U.S. diplomatic missions within their regional jurisdictions. The Department also includes offices dedicated to specific issues, such as the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, which leads global efforts against human trafficking, and the Office of Global Youth Issues, which focuses on empowering young people through diplomacy.
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The Secretary of State is the second-highest-ranking member
The President of the United States is the Chief Diplomat, as outlined in Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution. The President has the power to negotiate with foreign governments, appoint ambassadors, and sign treaties, which must be ratified by two-thirds of the Senate. While the President is the Chief Diplomat, the Secretary of State is the second-highest-ranking member of the Department of State and plays a crucial role in diplomacy.
The Secretary of State is the chief executive officer of the Department of State and a member of the President's Cabinet. They answer directly to and advise the President on matters of foreign policy and international relations. The Department of State is responsible for maintaining diplomatic relations with other countries and international organizations, with approximately 5,000 employees working to compile and analyze reports, provide logistical support, communicate with the American public, and perform other vital functions.
The Department of State is organized into various offices and bureaus that support policy planning, coordination, and execution. The Under Secretary for Political Affairs, for example, manages day-to-day regional and bilateral policy issues, while the Assistant Secretaries advise the Under Secretary and guide the operation of U.S. diplomatic missions within their regional jurisdiction. The Department of State also includes offices dedicated to specific issues, such as the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, which leads global efforts against human trafficking, and the Office of Global Youth Issues, which focuses on empowering young people through diplomacy.
The Secretary of State plays a pivotal role in shaping and executing U.S. foreign policy, working in close coordination with other federal agencies and consulting with Congress on foreign policy initiatives. They are supported by a dedicated team within the Department of State, ensuring the effective conduct of diplomacy and the promotion of America's interests on the world stage.
The position of Secretary of State has been held by notable individuals such as Madeleine Albright, who became the first woman to serve in this role in 1997. The Secretary of State is a key member of the President's Cabinet, providing expertise and guidance on foreign affairs, thereby contributing to the formulation and implementation of the nation's diplomatic strategies.
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The Deputy Secretary manages the budget and planning
The US Constitution designates the President as the Chief Diplomat of the United States, responsible for negotiating with foreign governments, signing treaties, and appointing ambassadors. The President is supported by the Executive Branch, which includes the Cabinet, in carrying out diplomacy.
The Cabinet is an advisory body comprising the heads of 15 executive departments, appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. While the President is the Chief Diplomat, the Secretary of State is the most senior official in the Department of State and a member of the Cabinet. The Secretary of State is the chief executive officer of the Department and advises the President on foreign policy.
Within the Department of State, the Deputy Secretary holds significant responsibilities, including managing the budget and ensuring strategic and effective allocation of resources. The Deputy Secretary also oversees the Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review (QDDR) office and promotes coordinated strategic planning.
The Deputy Secretary plays a crucial role in the Department's financial management and strategic planning. They are responsible for overseeing the Department's budget and ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently. This includes managing development assistance and ensuring that foreign assistance resources are used effectively, working in coordination with the Office of U.S. Foreign Assistance Resources (F).
Additionally, the Deputy Secretary is involved in policy planning and coordination. They work closely with the Under Secretary for Political Affairs, who manages day-to-day regional and bilateral policy issues. The Deputy Secretary also ensures that the Department's bureaus and offices, including those of the Under Secretaries, are well-coordinated through the Executive Secretariat (S/ES).
In summary, the Deputy Secretary plays a vital role in the Department of State's operations by managing the budget, promoting strategic planning, and ensuring effective coordination within the Department and with other agencies. Their responsibilities encompass financial management, policy support, and maintaining smooth operations in the execution of US diplomacy.
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The Under Secretary manages regional and bilateral policy issues
The US Constitution designates the President as the country's Chief Diplomat, responsible for negotiating and signing treaties, appointing ambassadors, and executing foreign policy. The President is supported by the Executive Branch, which includes the Cabinet, a group of the heads of the 15 executive departments who are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
The Secretary of State is the most senior official in the Department of State and a member of the Cabinet who advises the President directly on foreign policy. The Department of State is responsible for maintaining diplomatic relations with other countries and international organizations, and it works in coordination with other federal agencies.
The Under Secretary for Political Affairs is responsible for managing regional and bilateral policy issues. They are supported by Assistant Secretaries who advise them and guide the operation of US diplomatic missions within their regional jurisdiction. These officials work closely with US embassies and consulates overseas, as well as foreign embassies in Washington, DC.
The Under Secretary for Management is the State Department's representative on the President's Management Council and is responsible for implementing the President's Management Agenda. They are also responsible for ensuring the effective allocation, management, and use of foreign assistance resources.
The Department of State has several offices and bureaus that support policy planning, coordination, and execution, including the Office of Policy, Planning, and Resources (R/PPR), which provides long-term strategic planning and performance measurement for public diplomacy and public affairs programs. The Bureau of Public Affairs (PA) helps Americans understand the importance of foreign affairs, while the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) fosters mutual understanding between Americans and people from other countries to promote friendly and peaceful relations.
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The Assistant Secretary advises diplomatic missions
The President of the United States is the Chief Diplomat, with the power to negotiate and sign treaties, which must be ratified by two-thirds of the Senate. The President also has the power to appoint ambassadors and issue executive orders. The Secretary of State is the most senior official in the Department of State and is a member of the Cabinet. The Department of State works in coordination with other federal agencies, including the Departments of Defense, Treasury, and Commerce, and consults with Congress about foreign policy initiatives and policies.
The Department of State is composed of two primary administrative units: the diplomatic service and the consular service. The diplomatic service staffs US legations and embassies, while the consular service promotes American commerce abroad and assists distressed American sailors. The Department of State has a projected discretionary budget of $51.7 billion.
The Under Secretary for Political Affairs is the day-to-day manager of overall regional and bilateral policy issues. The Under Secretary for Management is the State Department's representative on the President's Management Council and is responsible for implementing the President's Management Agenda. The Office of Policy, Planning, and Resources (R/PPR) provides long-term strategic planning and performance measurement capability for public diplomacy and public affairs programs.
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Frequently asked questions
The President of the United States is the Chief Diplomat and has the power to negotiate and sign treaties, appoint ambassadors, and issue executive orders.
The Cabinet advises the President on any subject relating to the duties of each member’s respective office. The Cabinet is made up of the heads of 15 executive departments and are appointed by the President.
The Secretary of State is the most senior official in the Department of State and a member of the Cabinet.
The Secretary of State is the chief executive officer of the Department of State and advises the President of the United States.
The Under Secretary for Political Affairs is responsible for the day-to-day management of overall regional and bilateral policy issues. They are assisted by Deputy Assistant Secretaries, office directors, post management officers, and country desk officers.


















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