Congress for Kids: [Executive Branch]: The President's Cabinet

Executive Branch

Introduction The President President's Job, Part I President's Job, Part II President's Cabinet President and Congress Impeachment President Has Fun

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What is the function of the President’s Cabinet? Who may belong to the Cabinet?

If you were part of the President's Cabinet, what would you suggest to him that would help improve our economy?

What's the difference between a Cabinet-level department and a federal agency?

When President George W. Bush announced the appointment of Condoleezza Rice to the head of the National Security Council (NSC), he said he had decided not to make her part of the Cabinet. Has the head of the NSC ever been part of the Cabinet?

Meet President Barack Obama's Team

The President's Cabinet

There are a lot of closed doors down these hallways. Who works behind them? Each door enters a department of the executive branch of the U.S. government. A Cabinet member is working behind each one. Most of them have the title of "Secretary" of their department.

Read the word or phrase on the door that describes the responsibility of the department. Then write the full title of the department of the executive branch that belongs on the name plate. Note: All but one answer begins with "Secretary of ____?____."

Rollover the images to see if your answers match the correct ones on the blue arrows when the doors open.

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Did you know James Madison of Virginia was responsible for proposing the resolution to
create the various Cabinet positions within the Executive Branch?

Projects You Can Do

Think about the responsibilities, programs, and impact of government departments whose leaders comprise the Presidential Cabinet.

Examine President Obama's selections for his Cabinet members.

Participate in a Web Exploration about the government departments whose leaders serve in the Presidential Cabinet. Go to the Exploration's URL and click on the "Load" button on the control panel, which is located in the bottom right corner.

Imagine that you are involved in a newly-designated secretary of a government department and compose an agenda offering department goals and initiatives for the next four years.

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