Explainer: Understanding The Executive Branch
The U.S. Government is divided into the legislative, judicial, and executive branches. The executive branch is responsible for carrying out and enforcing the laws of the nation. The President is the executive branch chief, and the Vice President, Cabinet, and various departments and agencies compose it. The Legislative Branch, also known as Congress, is responsible for creating and passing laws and consists of two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Judicial Branch is responsible for interpreting the law and is headed by the Supreme Court.
Along with being chief of the Executive Branch, the President of the United States also acts as the head of state and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. The president is responsible for implementing the laws written by Congress and appointing the heads of federal agencies, including the Cabinet. Should anything happen to the President and interfere with his or her ability to serve as head of state, the Vice President is prepared to step in and assume the Presidency.
The Executive Branch is also responsible for conducting diplomacy with other nations. The President appoints ambassadors and other diplomats and can negotiate and sign treaties, which at least two-thirds of the Senate must ratify. The President can also issue pardons, reduce federal sentences, and issue executive orders, which are directives from the President that manage federal government operations.
The Cabinet advises the President on policies and laws and is responsible for the day-to-day enforcement of federal laws. The Cabinet comprises the heads of the 15 executive departments, including the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice.
Members of the Cabinet are often the President’s closest confidants who offer advice and expertise on subjects related to their departments. After the Vice President, Speaker of the House and Senate President, members of the Cabinet are expected to step into the line of Presidential succession should the need arise.
The 15 Executive Departments are listed below:
Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Department of Commerce (DOC)
Department of Defense (DOD)
Department of Education
Department of Energy (DOE)
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Department of the Interior (DOI)
Department of Justice (DOJ)
Department of Labor (DOL)
Department of State (DOS)
Department of Transportation (DOT)
Department of the Treasury
Department of Veterans Affairs
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References and Further Reading:
The White House. The Executive Branch. Date Unknown
Youth Engaged 4 Change. Exploring the Executive Branch. 25 October 2022
Britannica. The Executive Branch. Date Unknown.
History.com. Executive Branch. 27 November 2019.
The Library of Congress. Official US Executive Branch Web Sites. March 30, 2022.
The Cabinet. The White House - President Barack Obama.
