1. Federal Agencies
Legislative, Judicial, Executive, and Independent Governmental Departments

2. Legislative Branch
Important Agencies and Offices within the Legislative Branch
Library of Congress
United States Copyright Office
United States Capitol Police

3. Judicial Branch
Important Agencies and Offices within the Judicial Branch:
Federal Judicial Center
Office of Probation and Pretrial Services
United States Sentencing Commission

4. Executive Departments
The Executive Departments make up the President’s Cabinet and are part of the order of succession as created by the 25th Amendment.
The original three were the Departments of State, War, and the Treasury.
15 Total Departments

5. United States Department of Agriculture
Also known as the USDA
Is responsible for developing and executing the policy on farming, agriculture, forestry, and food.
Major Agencies within the USDA:
Food Safety and Inspection Service
Forest Service
4-H

6. United States Department of Commerce
Is most concerned with promoting Economic Growth.
Promotes job creation and improved living standards for all Americans.
Important Agencies:
Census Bureau
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Patent and Trademark Office

7. United States Department of Defense
In charge of all agencies and functions of the Armed Forces.
This department is the largest employer in the world
Important Agencies:
Army, Navy (Marines), Air Force, National Guard
Joint Chiefs of Staff
National Security Agency (NSA)
Pentagon
West Point Military Academy

8. United States Department of Education
Smallest of all the cabinet agencies with about 5,000 total employees.
Created in 1868, but not cabinet level until 1979
Establishes policy for administering education, collects data on schools, and enforces education laws.
Major Agencies:
Office for Civil Rights
Office of Federal Student Aid

9. United States Department of Energy
Concerned with policy regarding energy and safety in handling nuclear material.
Responsible for the nuclear weapons program. (Nuclear Weapons are secured by the Navy)
Supports physical science more than any other US Department.

10. United States Department of Health and Human Services
Goal of protecting the health of all Americans.
Motto is “Improving the health, safety, and well-being of America”.
Was originally combined with the Department of Education.
Major Agencies:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Public Health Service

11. United States Department of Homeland Security
The newest cabinet department. Formed after 9/11
Primary responsibility is protecting the US and its territories from and responding to terror, man-made accidents, and natural disasters.
Important Agencies:
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
United States Coast Guard
Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
US Border Patrol
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Secret Service

12. United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Founded in 1965 as part of Lydon Johnson’s Great Society Program.
The mission is to create strong, sustainable communities, with quality affordable housing.
Important Agencies:
Federal Housing Administration
Federal Housing Finance Agency
Equal Employment Opportunity

13. United States Department of the Interior
Responsible for the management of federal land and natural resources.
Important Agencies:
Fish and Wildlife Service
National Park Service
United States Geological Survey

14. United States Department of Justice
Responsible for the enforcement of law and administration of justice.
Department is led by the Attorney General.
Important Agencies:
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Federal Bureau of Prisons/National Institute of Corrections
United States Marshals
United States Parole Commission

15. United States Department of Labor
Responsible for occupational safety, wage and hour standards, unemployment insurance benefits, re- employment services, and economic statistics.

16. United States Department of State
The first established executive department
Led by the Secretary of State
Operates diplomatic missions of the US abroad and is responsible for implementing foreign policy.

17. United States Department of Transportation (DOT)
Concerned with transportation.
“Ensuing a fast, safe, efficient, accessible, and convenient transportation system that meets our vital national interests and enhances the quality of life of the American people, today and into the future.”
Important Agencies:
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Federal Highway Administration

18. United States Department of the Treasury
Prints and mints all paper currency and coins in circulation.
Collects all federal taxes.
Manages all government debt.
Important Agencies:
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
United States Mint

19. United States Department of Veterans Affairs
Runs the military veteran benefit system.
In charge of the VA Hospitals.

20. Independent Government Agencies
Not all Government agencies are found in one of the three branches, some of the most important are:
Federal Trade Commission
Consumer Product Safety Commission
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
National Science Foundation
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
United States Postal Service (USPS)
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)