Advisors to the President – the Bureaucracy A look at the V-P, the Cabinet, Independent Agencies, Government Corporations, An Regulatory Commissions

Presidential Succession In 1967, the 25 th Amendment of the Constitution establishes an order of leadership in case something happens to the President. Not only does it create an order of succession if the President dies, but what happens if the President is incapacitated as well.

The Vice-President “The man with the best job in the country is the vice-president. All he has to do is get up every morning and say, "How is the president?” Will Rogers The truth is that the Vice-President has only the responsibility that the President gives him. His only Constitutional duty is to be the President of the Senate.

White House Chief of Staff This person is often the closest advisor to the President. Their most important task is gathering necessary information about key issues for the President to decide on. Another role is to provide the President with important political strategies and the impact of political decisions. Some as “political enforcers” for the President. Denis McDonough

White House Press Secretary This person handles the relationship between the President and the White House Press Corps. He / she also sets up press conferences to make public statements in the President’s name. Why can this be such a challenging position? Josh Ernest

The Cabinet and the Bureaucracy Beginning with George Washington, the Executive Branch has offered advisors to the President. Every President selects people to head up these advisories known as cabinet secretaries. The secretaries are in charge of agencies that make day-to-day life “better” for Americans. The people that do the day-to-day work and research for a better America are known as bureaucrats. Bureaucrats are the nameless and faceless people that run America “behind the scenes.” The bureaucracy is what causes the government to grow (or shrink).

State Department The Secretary of State is in charge of foreign policy for the United States. This agency protects American citizens when they are travelling abroad. The State dept. is in charge of staffing American embassies. A representative from this dept. will speak on behalf of the U.S. in the United Nations.

Department of Defense The Defense dept. is in charge of protecting the nation’s security abroad. How is this department different from Homeland Security? This department is aided by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the leaders of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and the Marines. Chuck Hagel Joint Chiefs Chuck Hagel

Department of Justice This dept. was created to oversee the nation’s legal affairs. In other words, this dept. is in charge of federal police actions from beginning to end. The head of the Justice Dept. is the Attorney General. FBI, DEA, and U.S. Marshalls Service to name of few. Eric Holder

Treasury Department This dept. manages the finances of the U.S. Many groups fall under this dept. I.R.S. – the tax people. Bureau of the mint – makes the coins. Bureau of Engraving + Printing – makes the money. Bureau of Public Debt – is responsible for borrowing the money needed to operate the federal gov’t. The Secret Service also falls under the dept. of the Treasury. Why? Jacob Lew

Dept. of Health + Human Services This dept. manages the health and social need of Americans. The FDA inspects food and drug processes and approves new drugs. It assists older Americans with Medicare and Medicaid health coverage. It helps older and less fortunate Americans with Social Security. Public Health Services research diseases such as AIDS and cancer. The head of the dept. is the Surgeon General. Sylvia Burwell

Dept. of Homeland Security After the attacks of Sept. 11 th, President Bush created this dept. Not only does this dept. analyze info. from both the FBI and CIA for possible terrorist attacks, but … This dept. is in charge of –Coast Guard –Border Patrol –INS –Customs –FEMA Jeh Johnson

Other Cabinet Departments Dept. of the Interior – protects public lands, natural resources, and historical sites. Dept. of Agriculture – created to help farmers improve their income and expand their markets. It also keeps tabs on the nation’s food supply. Dept. of Commerce – protects the commercial and industrial sector of the American economy. Includes the Census Bureau, Patent Office, and Institute of Standards for weights and measures.

Other Cabinet Departments Dept. of Labor – protects workers including OSHA and safeguards minimum wage. Housing + Urban Development – ensure all Americans equal housing opportunities. Dept. of Veterans Affairs – administers hospitals, education programs, and other benefits for veterans and their families. Dept. of Transportation – in charge of all federal highways and modes of transportation including the FAA, FRA, and the FTA. Dept. of Energy – researches for alternative energies. Dept. of Education – helps ESL and physically handicapped students to receive equal educations.