Simone Lawson
The title of a cabinet department head is 'Secretary'. The US Cabinet is a series of departments within the Executive Branch of the government that advise the President on issues related to their respective offices. The Cabinet includes the Vice President and the heads of 15 executive departments, including the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs, as well as the Attorney General. Each cabinet department in the US government is headed by a secretary who is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Title | Secretary |
| Appointed by | The President |
| Confirmed by | The Senate |
| Salary | $250,600 per year |
| Reports to | The President |
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What You'll Learn
- The title of a cabinet department head is 'Secretary'
- The President can dismiss a Secretary at any time without Senate approval
- The Vice President is the highest-ranking member of the Cabinet
- The Secretary of State is the first Cabinet member in the line of succession
- The Secretary of State handles foreign relations
The title of a cabinet department head is 'Secretary'
The title of a cabinet department head is "Secretary". This title is used to denote the leaders of various departments in the US government. Each cabinet department in the US government is headed by a secretary who is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
The heads of the executive departments and most other senior federal officers at the cabinet or sub-cabinet level receive their salary under a fixed five-level pay plan known as the Executive Schedule, which is codified in Title 5 of the United States Code. As of January 2025, the Level I annual pay was set at $250,600.
The US Cabinet is a series of departments within the Executive Branch of government that are meant to advise the President on issues related to their respective offices. Each department has a secretary who oversees all department activity and reports to the President. The US Cabinet Secretaries are selected by the President of the United States, with a Senate confirmation hearing required for approval of nominees.
The Cabinet includes the Vice President 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, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs, as well as the Attorney General. The Secretary of State is the first Cabinet member in the Presidential line of succession after the Vice President.
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The President can dismiss a Secretary at any time without Senate approval
The head of a cabinet department holds the title of Secretary. For example, the Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, and Secretary of Education.
The President's removal power was affirmed in the Myers Case, where the Court held that the President could remove a postmaster at will, despite a statutory provision requiring the President to act with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Court's decision relied on the "decision of 1789," which recognized the Secretary's removability by the President.
Additionally, in the absence of specific legislative provisions, the President may remove an inferior officer with a limited term or one appointed with Senate consent. The President can also remove army or navy officers by nominating their successor to the Senate for approval.
The President's removal power is not absolute, however. The Constitution provides for the impeachment of "civil officers of the United States," and Congress may enact legislation to vest the appointment and removal of inferior officers in another authority, such as the Courts of Law or Heads of Departments.
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The Vice President is the highest-ranking member of the Cabinet
The role of the Cabinet is to advise the President on any subject relating to the duties of each member's respective office. The members of the Cabinet are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, except for three positions. The President can dismiss members of the Cabinet at any time without the approval of the Senate. The Cabinet members sit in the order in which their respective departments were created, with the earliest being closest to the President and the newest farthest away.
The Vice President's inclusion in the Cabinet was not always a given. In fact, the first Vice President, John Adams, was not included in George Washington's Cabinet because the position was initially regarded as a legislative officer, as the president of the Senate. It was only after the death of President William Henry Harrison in 1841 that it became established that the vice president would serve as president for the remainder of the original term.
Today, the Vice President's role in the Cabinet is significant. In addition to being the highest-ranking member, the Vice President can, together with a majority of the heads of the executive departments, declare the president "unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office" under the Twenty-fifth Amendment. This power underscores the critical role of the Vice President in the Cabinet and highlights the importance of their position as the highest-ranking member.
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The Secretary of State is the first Cabinet member in the line of succession
The head of a cabinet department holds the title of Secretary, followed by the name of their department. For example, the head of the Department of State is the Secretary of State, and the head of the Department of Defense is the Secretary of Defense.
The Cabinet is a body of high-ranking officials, established in Article II, Section 2 of the US Constitution, whose role is to advise the President on any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices. The Cabinet includes the Vice President and the heads of 15 executive departments, including the Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, Attorney General, and Secretary of Homeland Security.
The Secretary of State is the first Cabinet member in the line of presidential succession, as established by the Presidential Succession Act of 1886. This Act outlines that in the event of a vacancy in the presidency, the powers and duties of the office pass to the vice president, followed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, and then the president pro tempore of the Senate. If the vice presidency is also vacant, the Cabinet secretaries are next in line, starting with the Secretary of State.
The order of succession of Cabinet officers is based on the creation of their respective agencies. However, there have been concerns raised about this order, as it does not take into account the skills or capacities of the individuals serving as secretaries. Some have suggested that more senior Cabinet officers, such as the Secretary of State, should be able to replace a more junior Cabinet officer who is already serving as Acting President.
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The Secretary of State handles foreign relations
The head of a cabinet department holds the title of Secretary, followed by the department name. For instance, the head of the Department of State is the Secretary of State, and the head of the Department of Defense is the Secretary of Defense.
The Secretary of State is the highest-ranking member of the cabinet and the third-highest official in the executive branch of the US federal government, after the President and Vice President. They are fourth in line to succeed the presidency.
The Secretary of State is responsible for supervising the US Foreign Service and immigration policy and administering the Department of State. They also have domestic responsibilities, including the custody of the Great Seal of the United States and the preparation of certain presidential proclamations.
Additionally, the Secretary of State can conduct negotiations, interpret, and terminate treaties related to foreign policy. They can represent the United States in international conferences, organizations, and agencies. The Secretary also ensures the protection of US citizens, their property, and interests in foreign countries, providing services such as issuing passports.
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Frequently asked questions
The title of a cabinet department head is 'Secretary', for example, the Secretary of State or the Secretary of Defense.
The role of a cabinet department head is to oversee and manage various aspects of government operations, including implementing laws and policies related to their specific department.
The cabinet department heads are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
While the correct term for a cabinet department head is always 'Secretary', other similar titles include Chief of Staff, which refers to a senior staff position within the White House, and Chief Executive, which typically refers to the President or CEO of a corporation.
