Executive Departments of the executive branch
Department of State: Passport and Visa Office, Foreign Service, Bureau of African Affairs
Oldest, most prestigious, advises President on Foreign Policy, represents the U.S. abroad
Department of the Treasury: Customs Service, IRS, Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Produces coins and bills, enforces alcohol, tobacco, and firearms laws, collects taxes, borrows money
Defense Department: Department of the Navy, Joint Chiefs of Staff
Provide military forces, largest department, approximately 14 million in uniform and 670,000
civilians
Justice Department: Antitrust Division, Civil Rights Division, Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI
Prosecute the accused, enforce federal law
Department of the Interior: Bureau of Indian Affairs, National Park Service
Manage public lands, wildlife refugee, national parts, operate hydro-electric power plants
Department of Agriculture: Forest Service, Food Safety & Inspection Service, Soil Conservation
Service
Inspect food, assist farmers
Commerce Department: National Bureau of Standards, Bureau of Census, Patent & Trademarks
Office
Conduct census, patents and trademarks
Department of Labor: Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Enforce minimum wage, maximum hours, and safe working conditions
Department of Health and Human Services: Social Security, Public Health Services
Funds healthcare, enforces food laws, largest budget – ¼ of all federal spending
Department of Housing and Urban Development: Agency for Community Planning and
Development
Department of Transportation: Federal Aviation Admin., National Highway Traffic Safety Admin.
Programs to promote highways, mass transit, railroads, air travel, and gas pipelines
Department of Energy: Environment Protection Agency, Fossil Energy
Promotes production of renewable energy
Department of Education: Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education
Administers federal aid to schools
Department of Homeland Security: Secret Service, Coast Guard, Parts of FBI and FEMA
Newest department (created in 2002), border and transportation security, emergency preparedness
Department of Veteran’s Affairs
Administers benefits, pensions, and medical programs
DEPARTMENT
Year
Created
Major Functions/Responsibilities
Agriculture
1889
Oversees national forests & conservation efforts, responsible for
safety of meat, poultry, and egg products, and attempts to provide
open foreign markets for American agricultural products.
Commerce
1903
“…To foster, serve, and promote the Nation’s economic
development and technological development.”
Defense
1947
Manages the nation’s military and headquartered at the Pentagon.
Education
1979
Manages federal student aid programs, monitors academic
performance nationwide, and administers federal education
legislation like No Child Left Behind Act.
Energy
1977
Manages the nation’s nuclear weapons and energy, develops
energy policies, and conducts energy research.
Conducts health research, manages efforts to prevent disease,
manages Medicare and Medicaid, and pursues efforts to remedy
societal ills like drug abuse and child abuse.
Oversees a wide range of federal agencies to help them coordinate
plans to confront national emergencies and threats to national
security.
Health &
Human
Services
1953
Homeland
Security
2002
Housing &
Urban
Development
1965
Strives to increase domestic homeownership and improve access
to affordable housing free of discrimination.
Interior
1849
Manages conservation efforts, national parks, and environmental
protection.
Justice
1870
Enforces federal laws by taking offenders to court, investigates
and detains offenders through the FBI.
Labor
1913
Looks out for “job seekers, wage earners, and retirees” by
administering federal labor laws and providing services like
connecting potential employers to unemployed workers.
State
1789
Chief engine of American diplomacy in executive branch, also
manages American travel overseas.
Transportation
1966
Manages national transportation infrastructure like highways, air
traffic, and railways.
Treasury
1789
Manages federal finances, collects taxes, produces stamps, and
provides government advice on matters of economic policy.
Veterans
Affairs
1988
Provides for the healthcare, benefits, and memorial service needs
of veterans.
Directions:
For each statement, identify the name of the executive department that has responsibility for the individual’s
concern.
1. Mr. Oswald formed a coalition of coal mine operators to protest discontinuation of coal
experiments as a basis for obtaining cheap fuel.
2. Mora and Tony organized a group of young people to pressure this department to support
their demands for a higher minimum wage.
f
3. Mr. Owens recently received a tax refund from this department.
f
4. Adam and Karen organized the students at their respective universities to protest recent
reductions in financial aid to institutions of higher learning.
f
5. Mr. Adams, after rescuing a railroad from bankruptcy and making it profitable, new seeks to
sell it in the private sector.
f
6. A coalition of Native American spokespersons appealed to this department for assistance in
improving public health services on Indian reservations.
f
7. Joyce appealed to this department for a visa to Poland.
f
8. Mrs. Smith asked this dept. to check a local food processor for improperly graded meats.
f
9. Mr. Brennan asked a bureau of this department to check on a neighbor for housing a criminal.
f
10. Sarah Jones applied to this department for a patent on a new type of hair curler.
f
11. Dr. Johanni asked this department to investigate an epidemic of skin rashes in the area.
f
12. The Ohio Shipbuilding Corporation asked this department to investigate the possibilities of
enlarging the St. Lawrence Seaway.
f
13. Secretary Hall sought the release of American hostages being held by Iraqi terrorists.
f
14. President Reagan used this department to protect American interests in Grenada.
f
15. During the 1960s, blacks asked a division of this department for help with voter registration
problems.
16. The mayor of Houston announced the city’s receipt of a block grant to rehabilitate declining
neighborhoods.
f
17. Mr. Black received advice from this department on the best methods of maintaining ground
moisture in the semi-arid region of Alliance, Nebraska.
f
18. Mr. Moxley wrote to this department for information about camping in the national park
system.
f
19. Mr. and Mrs. Dare were distraught by this department’s announced intention to reduce their
retirement income.
ff
20. Every ten years a representative from this department has visited Mr. Scofield for the purpose
of counting him and his family in the census.