Eleanor Finch
The Cabinet's role, as established in Article II, Section 2 of the US Constitution, is to advise the President on any subject he may require relating to the duties of each member's respective office. The Cabinet includes the Vice President and the heads of 15 executive departments, including the Department of State. The Department of State is the oldest cabinet-level department, having been established in 1789. Its primary responsibilities include managing US foreign relations, preparing diplomatic correspondence, and engaging with foreign governments to pursue national interests. The Secretary of State is the cabinet member responsible for foreign diplomacy, acting as the chief diplomat and overseeing the State Department.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Role | To advise the President on any subject he may require relating to the duties of each member's respective office |
| Members | Vice President, Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury, Veterans Affairs, Attorney General |
| Primary Responsibility | Managing U.S. foreign relations, preparing diplomatic correspondence, and engaging with foreign governments to pursue national interests |
| Other Responsibilities | Negotiating with foreign countries, leading U.S. representation abroad, coordinating other U.S. agencies focused on developing and implementing foreign policy, providing healthcare to U.S. government employees and their families assigned to embassies and consulates worldwide |
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What You'll Learn
The Secretary of State is the chief diplomat
The Secretary of State's role in diplomacy includes managing US foreign relations, preparing diplomatic correspondence, and engaging with foreign governments to pursue national interests. This involves dealing with critical issues such as trade agreements, international treaties, and conflict resolution. The Secretary of State is also responsible for implementing the President's foreign policy and guiding diplomatic initiatives. The Bureau of Legislative Affairs (H) within the Department of State coordinates legislative activity and advises the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Under Secretaries, and Assistant Secretaries on legislative strategy.
The Under Secretary for Political Affairs is responsible for the day-to-day management of overall regional and bilateral policy issues. The Department groups countries into six areas of responsibility, each with an Assistant Secretary who advises the Under Secretary and guides the operation of US diplomatic missions within their regional jurisdiction. These officials work closely with US embassies and consulates overseas and with foreign embassies in Washington, DC.
The Office of Global Youth Issues is another important component of the State Department, aiming to empower young people through US programs and encouraging governments to respond to youth through diplomacy. The Under Secretary for Management represents the State Department on the President's Management Council and is responsible for implementing the President's Management Agenda, which includes initiatives to make the government more citizen-centric, effective, and efficient.
Overall, the Secretary of State plays a vital role in US diplomacy, advocating for the nation's positions and policies on the international stage and ensuring the effective operation of the State Department.
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The Department of State manages US foreign affairs
The Department of State, also known as the State Department, is the lead US foreign affairs agency. The Secretary of State is the president's principal foreign policy advisor and is appointed by the president with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Secretary of State carries out the president's foreign policies through the State Department, which includes the Foreign Service, Civil Service, and US Ambassadors and Embassies. The State Department has four main foreign policy goals:
- Support US diplomats, government officials, and all other personnel at home and abroad
- Protecting America through diplomacy
- Promoting mutual understanding between Americans and people in other countries
- Using diplomacy in all regions of the world to keep local conflicts from becoming wider wars that may harm US interests
The State Department is responsible for issuing passports and visas, posting foreign travel advisories, and advancing commercial ties abroad. It also provides diplomatic training to US officials and military personnel and exercises partial jurisdiction over immigration. The State Department manages the allocation of resources for foreign relations and leads interagency coordination. The department has a variety of bureaus and offices that support policy planning, coordination, and execution, including the Bureau of Legislative Affairs, the Bureau of Intelligence and Research, the Office of Global Youth Issues, and the Office of Medical Services. The State Department also administers the Fulbright Program, which operates in over 160 countries and provides scholarships for American high school students to develop their foreign language skills.
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The Bureau of Legislative Affairs advises the Secretary of State
The US Department of State has had the Bureau of Legislative Affairs (H) advancing its mission and legislative priorities in the US Congress since 1949. The Bureau of Legislative Affairs advises the Secretary of State and coordinates all official communications, notifications, briefings, and hearings between the Department and Capitol Hill. It ensures the Secretary's advocacy in Congress for the Department's highest priorities and supports the Constitutional oversight role of the Congress.
The Bureau of Legislative Affairs is led by the Office of the Assistant Secretary and three Deputy Assistant Secretaries. It consists of approximately 60-70 direct-hire US employees and leads all Department communications and activities with 535 Members of Congress, their offices, and committee staff. The Bureau is responsible for advocating on behalf of the Secretary, the Department, and the nation's foreign policy goals. It also facilitates effective communication between State Department officials and Members of Congress and their staff.
In 2021, the Bureau of Legislative Affairs managed, staffed, and helped prepare Department principals for numerous congressional hearings, policy-related congressional briefings, calls, meetings, and nomination-related activities. It also processed hundreds of congressional reports and thousands of letters from Congress. Additionally, the Bureau plays a critical role in supporting the direct link between Congress and Americans facing crises while overseas.
The Bureau of Legislative Affairs is just one part of the Department of State's organizational structure. The Department also includes offices dedicated to bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, public diplomacy and public affairs, global youth issues, and more. These offices work together to advance US interests and engage with foreign governments and international organizations.
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The Bureau of Intelligence and Research provides independent analysis
The US Cabinet, comprising the 15 executive departments, is responsible for the day-to-day enforcement and administration of federal laws. While the President is the head of state and government and enforces the laws created by Congress, the Cabinet aids in the execution of these laws.
The Department of State is responsible for diplomacy and foreign affairs. The Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR) is a bureau within the Department of State and a member of the Intelligence Community (IC). The INR's primary mission is to harness intelligence to serve US diplomacy. It provides independent analysis of events to Department policymakers, drawing on all-source intelligence. The INR is the oldest civilian intelligence element in the US government, with its origins in the Research and Analysis Branch of the World War II-era Office of Strategic Services.
The INR provides value-added independent analysis of events to Department policymakers. It ensures that intelligence activities support foreign policy and national security purposes. The INR also serves as the focal point in the Department for ensuring policy review of sensitive counterintelligence and law enforcement activities. The Assistant Secretary for Intelligence and Research provides intelligence support for the Secretary of State, other department principals, and policy bureaus. They also direct the department's program of research and analysis.
The INR produces daily analyses of foreign media editorial commentary on major policy issues for officials in Washington, DC, and abroad. It also represents the INR in interagency committees on open-source issues. The INR manages the Russian, Eurasian, and East European Research and Training Program. It is the State Department's 24/7 intelligence center for monitoring, evaluating, alerting, and briefing time-sensitive intelligence. The INR also standardizes the format and assures the quality of INR publications. It manages INR participation in Intelligence Community groups and committees.
The INR also has an economic analysis division, the Office of Economic Analysis (INR/AN/EC), which produces all-source intelligence analysis and assessments on international economic issues, including terrorism financing.
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The Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy leads public outreach
The US Department of State is responsible for diplomacy, and within this department, the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs leads America's public diplomacy outreach. This role was created on October 1, 1999, during the presidency of Bill Clinton, and is currently a top-ten ranking position in the Department of State. The Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy leads efforts to expand and strengthen the relationships between the people of the United States and citizens of other countries. They oversee the bureaus of Educational and Cultural Affairs and Global Public Affairs, and participate in foreign policy development.
The Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy is responsible for messaging to counter terrorism and violent extremism. They also oversee the Office of Policy, Planning and Resources for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, and the Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy. The Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy works to advance US national interests by seeking to engage, inform, and understand the perspectives of foreign audiences.
The Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy role is one of six Under Secretary roles in the Department of State. The other Under Secretary roles include the Under Secretary for Management, who is responsible for implementing the President's Management Agenda, and the Under Secretary for Political Affairs, who manages overall regional and bilateral policy issues.
The Cabinet is an advisory body made up of the heads of 15 executive departments, including the Department of State. The members of the Cabinet are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, and they are responsible for the day-to-day enforcement and administration of federal laws.
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Frequently asked questions
The Department of State is the cabinet department with primary responsibility for diplomacy. It is the oldest cabinet-level department, established in 1789.
The Department of State is responsible for managing US foreign relations, preparing diplomatic correspondence, and engaging with foreign governments to pursue national interests. This includes dealing with trade agreements, international treaties, and conflict resolution.
The Secretary of State is the head of the Department of State and is considered the nation's chief diplomat. They are responsible for implementing the president's foreign policy and guiding diplomatic initiatives.
The Secretary of Defense also influences foreign policy, particularly concerning military aspects and national security. Other officials, like the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, focus primarily on military strategy.
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