Transcript Chapter Six, Section Two

The White House Staff
&Cabinet
“Presidential Advisers and
Executive Agencies”
Helping the President
Helping the President

To help the president
with all of their many
tasks, the “Executive
Office of the
President” (“EOP”)
was created in 1939.
 This includes advisors,
clerks, secretaries, and
other specialists.
The “E.O.P”

The “EOP” has
approximately 2,000
employees and
operates on a budget
of over $100 million
dollars per year.
The “E.O.P”
The “E.O.P”

The “EOP” has five
divisions to assist the
president:
–
–
–
–
White House Office
OMB
NSC
Office of
Administration
– CEA
“White House Office”
The “White House
Office”, also known as
the “White House
Staff”, has a staff of
over 500 people who
work directly for the
president.
 It is lead by the “chief
of staff”, who is the
most powerful
member of this staff.

“White House Office”

This office determines
who can see the
president and reads
most of the reports
and letters sent to the
president.
 Their job is to brief
the presidents on these
reports or letters.
“Chief of Staff”

The current White
House “Chief of
Staff” for President
Obama is Dennis
McDonough.
 He is one of the
president’s most
trusted advisors.
“Office of Management and
Budget” (“OMB”)

The “Office of
Management and
Budget” (“OMB”)
helps prepare the
president’s budget and
helps monitor
hundreds of
government agencies.
“Office of Management and
Budget” (“OMB”)

The current director of
the “OMB” for
President Obama is
Sylvia Mathews.
 The director works
directly for the
president and reports
to him personally.
“National Security Council”
(“NSC”)

The “National
Security Council”
(“NSC”) helps the
president coordinate
military and foreign
policy.
“National Security Council”
(“NSC”)

This departments is
made up of four
advisors:
– Vice President
– Secretary of State
– Secretary of
Defense
– Joint Chiefs of Staff
“National Security Council”
(“NSC”)

The “Joint Chiefs
of Staff” is made
up of the top
commanders of
each branch of the
U.S. military.
“Office of Administration”
The “Office of
Administration”
assists the president.
 It’s main task is to
help people who
request information
under the “Freedom
of Information Act”

“Council of Economic Advisers”
(“CEA”)

The “Council of
Economic
Advisers” (“CEA”)
helps the president
carry out the role of
economic leader.
“Council of Economic Advisers”
(“CEA”)

The current “CEA”
director for
President Obama is
Alan Kreuger.
“The Cabinet”

The “Cabinet” is a
group of advisors
that include the
heads of the 15
executive
departments.
“The Cabinet”
“The Cabinet”

The advisors all
carry the title of
“secretary”.
 The only exception
is the head of the
Department of
Justice, who is the
Attorney General.
“The Cabinet”

The newest
department to be
created was the
“Department of
Homeland
Security” in 2002
(after 9/11)
“The Cabinet”
It’s main goal was
to consolidate our
defenses against
potential terrorist
attacks.
 Janet Napolitano is
the current
secretary.

“The Cabinet”

The main
responsibility of the
Cabinet is to advise
the president on all
matters.
 Although NOT
mentioned in the
Constitution, every
president since
Washington has had a
Cabinet.
The Vice President

The vice president
has historically had
a limited role.
 Recently, they have
been given more
responsibilities
over the year.
The “First Lady”
The “First Lady” has
no set responsibilities
that are listed in the
Constitution.
 Over the years, they
have become very
active in a variety of
issues.

The Federal Bureaucracy

The Federal
Bureaucracy is the
name given to the
millions of
employees
(“bureaucrats”)
and agencies that
help run the U.S.
government.
The Federal Bureaucracy

The bureaucracy has
three (3) basic jobs:
– Turn new laws into
action
– Run the day to day
operation of the
government
– Regulate various
activities within the
government.
Independent Agencies

Although not part
of the “Cabinet”,
these agencies are
still accountable to
the president.
Independent Agencies
“Executive
Agencies” are
responsible for
specialized areas.
 “NASA” is an
example.

Independent Agencies
“Government
Corporations” are
run like private
businesses, but
they are NOT for
profit
 The U.S. Postal
Service is an
example.

Independent Agencies
“Regulatory Boards
and Commissions”
have the task of
protecting the public.
 They do NOT report
to the president.
 The “F.C.C.” is an
example

Who gets these jobs?

Many of these top
jobs go to “political
appointees”
(trusted friends or
advisors of the
president)
 They usually serve
until the president
leaves.
Who gets these jobs?
“Civil Service
Workers” make up
90% of the work force
and keep permanent
jobs.
 They are chosen based
on their performance
in the “civil service
system”.

Who gets these jobs?

Before 1883, most
“civil service” jobs
were given out
through the “spoils
system”
 This is where jobs are
given as reward for
political support.
 “To the victor go the
spoils”…
Who gets these jobs?

The “Civil Service
Reform Act” of 1883
placed limits on the
number of jobs a
president can give to
their supporters.
Who gets these jobs?

Today, we use the
“merit system” where
jobs are given out
based on high
standards and exams.
Who gets these jobs?

The “Office of
Personnel
Management”
(“OPM”) today
controls and operates
the civil service
system.