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Biden Cabinet 2021-2024
Click on a Cabinet Member's name below to see their stances on the issues,
Click on the Cabinet Member's title for the cabinet agency's home page.
Cabinet departments are arranged by the presidential order of succession.
The 2023-2024 office-holders for succession to the presidency are:
- Vice President Kamala Harris
- Speaker of the House Mike_Johnson
- President Pro-Tem of the Senate Patty Murray
After those three Constitutionally-defined successors, Cabinet officers comprise the line of succession, in the order in which each department was defined in the Constitution or created by later presidents.
That order is shown below (in other words, the Secretary of State is 4th in the line of succession to the presidency; the Secretary of the Treasury is 5th, and so on).
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Antony Blinken | Former Secretaries of State:
Mike Pompeo (2018-2021);
Rex Tillerson (2017-2018);
4 more below.
2024 Budget: $87 billion ; 2017 Budget: $29.6 billion; 2018 Trump proposal: $10.9 billion decrease; 2013 Budget: $59.5 billion; 2007 Budget: $35.1 billion; 2001 Budget: $21.9 billion
The State Department handles foreign policy and sends out foreign service officers.
- Runs U.S. embassies, to assist U.S. travelers abroad.
- Also runs USIA, the US Information Agency, to disseminate information abroad.
- John Kerry Secretary of State in Pres. Obama's second term (2013-2017); Climate Envoy in Pres. Biden's term (2021-2024).
Secretary Kerry authored This Moment On Earth
- Hillary Clinton Secretary of State in Pres. Obama's first term (2009-2013)
Secretary Clinton authored It Takes A Village
- Condoleezza Rice Secretary of State in Pres. Bush's second term (2005-2009)
Secretary Rice authored No Higher Honor
- Colin Powell Secretary of State in Pres. Bush's first term (2001-2005)
General Powell authored My American Journey
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Janet Yellen | Former Treasurers:
Steve Mnuchin in Pres. Trump's first term (2017-2021);
Timothy Geithner: in Pres. Obama's first term (2009-2012);
Hank Paulson in Pres. Bush's second term (2006-2009);
John Snow in Pres. Bush's second term (2003-2006);
2 more below.
2024 Budget: $2.2 trillion ; 2017 Budget: $622 billion including $346 billion interest on national debt, and $62 billion for EITC; 2018 Trump proposal: $519 million decrease; 2013 Budget: $14 billion for administration plus $96 billion supplemental; 2008 Budget: $11.3 billion for administration plus $700 billion supplemental "Financial Bailout"; 2001 Budget: $14.0 billion
The Treasury Department prints U.S. currency and collects it at tax time. Some Treasury agencies:
- IRS: The Internal Revenue Service.
- Customs Service: controlling incoming people and goods.
- The Mint: where currency, coins, and stamps are produced.
- The Secret Service which protects the President and other officials.
- ATF: The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.
- Paul O'Neill served as Secretary of the Treasury in Pres. Bush's first term (2001-2003)
Secretary O`Neill authored The Price of Loyalty in 2004.
- Donald Regan served as Secretary of the Treasury in Pres. Reagan's first term (1981-1985)
Secretary Regan authored For the Record in 1988.
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General Lloyd Austin | Former Defense Secretaries:
Gen. James Mattis (2017-2018);
Acting Secretaries 2019-2021: Patrick M. Shanahan & Christopher C. Miller;
Leon Panetta: in Pres. Obama's first term (2011-2013);
Robert Gates in George W. Bush's Cabinet from 2006-2009, and then in Barack Obama's Cabinet until 2011;
Sen. William Cohen (R, ME) in Bill Clinton's Cabinet from 1997-2001;
3 more below.
2024 Budget: $886 billion including $171B for DOD + $36B for Ukraine + $5B for Mideast; 2017 Budget: $590 billion for military programs including $146 billion for military personnel; Trump proposal: $52.3 billion increase; 2013 Budget: $673 billion; 2007 budget: $439 billion for operations, plus $192 billion supplemental spending for Iraq War; 2001 Budget: $296 billion
Defends the nation and, sometimes, defends the administration's political goals in other countries.
The Defense Department is headquartered in the Pentagon and is in charge of the U.S. Armed Forces.
The DoD's budget dwarfs all other departments' budgets -- 26% of all budgetary spending -- but defense spending is spread out into "military programs" (and the DHS, DVA, ACE, DOE, and more).
Hence DoD should be at the top of the list in all discussions of "shrinking government."
- JCS: Joint Chiefs of Staff from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps.
- DARPA: The agency that initiated the Internet.
- Chuck Hagel Secretary of Defense in Pres. Obama's second term (2013-2017)
Secretary Hagel authored America: Our Next Chapter in 2008.
- Donald Rumsfeld served as George W. Bush's Defense Secretary from 2001-2006,
and served as Gerald Ford's Defense Secretary from 1975-1977.
Secretary Rumsfeld authored Known and Unknown in 2011.
- Dick Cheney served as George Bush Sr.'s Defense Secretary from 1989-1993.
Vice President Cheney authored In My Time in 2011.
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Merrick Garland | Former Attorneys General:
Trump's 1st term: William Barr (2019-2020); Acting A.G. Matthew Whitaker (2018-2019); Sen. Jeff Sessions (2016-2018);
Eric Holder in Pres. Obama's first term (2009-2015);
Michael Mukasey in Pres. Bush's second term (2007-2009); Alberto Gonzales in Pres. Bush's second term (2005-2007)
+ 2 more below.
2024 Budget: $67.1 billion; 2017 Budget: $35.3 billion; 2018 Trump proposal: $1.1 billion decrease; 2013 Budget: $36.5 billion; 2007 budget: $43.5 billion; 2001 Budget: $20.9 billion
The Justice Department is in charge of investigating crimes and enforcing federal law, including civil rights laws that guarantee Americans equal opportunity regardless of race. Its agencies include:
- DEA: The Drug Enforcement Agency
- INS: The Immigration and Naturalization Service
- FBI: The Federal Bureau of Investigation
- James Comey served as FBI Director in Pres. Bush's first term (2013-2017)
Comey authored A Higher Loyalty in 2018.
- John Ashcroft served as Attorney General in Pres. Bush's first term (2001-2004)
A.G.Ashcroft authored Lessons From a Father to His Son in 1998.
- Janet Reno served as Bill Clinton's Attorney General from 1993-2000.
A.G.Renot authored Doing the Right Thing in 1994.
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Rep. Deb Haaland | Former Interior Secretaries:
Acting Secretary David Bernhardt (2019-2021); Rep. Ryan Zinke (2017-2019);
Sally Jewell: Interior Secretary in Pres. Obama's first term (2013-2017);
Ken Salazar Interior Secretary in Pres. Obama's first term (2009-2012);
Dirk Kempthorne served as Interior Secretary in Pres. Bush's second term (2006-2009);
Gale Norton served as Interior Secretary in Pres. Bush's first term (2001-2006).
2024 Budget: $92.9 billion; 2017 Budget: $20.6 billion; 2018 Trump proposal: $1.5 billion decrease; 2013 Budget: $13.5 billion; 2009 Budget: $10.5 billion for operations plus $22.9 billion in disaster aid; 2004 Budget: $10.7 billion; 2001 Budget: $10.2 billion
Responsible for protecting the nation’s natural landscape, and making sure people and companies have the proper access to it. It also handles:
- NPS: The National Park Services, which operates parks, rivers, & monuments.
- BLM: The Bureau of Land Management, which overseas federally-owned land.
- USGS: The U.S. Geological Survey, which is a science agency for mapping and data collection.
- BIA: The Bureau of Indian Affairs, which deals with all Native American issues.
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Governor Tom Vilsack | Former Agriculture Secretaries:
Gov. Sonny Perdue in Trump's first term (2017-2021);
Tom Vilsack in Pres. Obama's first and second term (2009-2017);
Gov. Mike Johanns in Pres. Bush's second term (2005-2007);
Ann Veneman in Pres. Bush's first term (2001-2004);
Rep. Dan Glickman in Pres. Clinton's second term (1995-2001).
2024 Budget: $437 billion; 2017 Budget: $155.4 billion including $81.8 billion for SNAP (food stamps); 2018 Trump proposal: $4.7 billion decrease; 2013 Budget: $27 billion for operations plus $128 billion in mandatory outlays; 2006 Budget: $94 billion (including mandatory outlays); 2001 Budget: $19 billion
The Department of Agriculture, or USDA, monitors the safety and quality of meat, eggs and poultry.
- USFS: The U.S. Forest Service is run by USDA, because forests were then considered primarily an agricutltural resource.
- NRCS: Natural Resource Conservation Service (formerly Soil Conservation Service).
- Sam Clovis, Undersecretary of Agriculture for Research, Education, and Economics, (2017 Trump appointee)
- USDA also runs the food stamp program and the national school lunch program.
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Governor Gina Raimondo | Former Commerce Secretaries:
Wilbur Ross (2017-2021);
Rebecca Blank, Commerce Secretary in Pres. Obama's second term (2012-2013);
Gary Locke in Pres. Obama's first term (2009-2011); appointed as Ambassador to China in 2011;
Carlos Gutierrez in Pres. Bush's second term (2005-2009);
Donald Evans in Pres. Bush's first term (2001-2004).
2024 Budget: $122 billion; 2017 Budget: $12.1 billion; 2018 Trump proposal: $1.5 billion decrease; 2013 Budget: $9.5 billion; 2009 Budget: $8.2 billion; 2001 Budget: $5.1 billion
Commerce tries to make sure businesses and industries run well and can sell things overseas. Some of its agencies:
- Census2010: The department also runs the Census Bureau.
- NOAA: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
- NWS: The National Weather Service (part of NOAA).
- USPTO: The Patent and Trademark Office.
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Secretary Julie Su |
Julie Su (Acting Secretary 2023-2025)
(Labor Secretary)
Former Labor Secretaries:
Marty Walsh in Pres. Biden's term (2021-2023);
Tom Perez in Pres. Obama's second term (2013-2017);
Hilda Solis in Pres. Obama's first term (2009-2012);
Elaine Chao in Pres. Bush's two terms from 2001-2009;
+ 2 more below.
2024 Budget: $71.3 billion; 2017 Budget: $46.8 billion including $12.5 billion for training programs, $8.1 billion for pension insurance, and $3.6 for state unemployment insurance; 2018 Trump proposal: $2.5 billion decrease; 2013 Budget: $13.2 billion for operations plus $71 billion in mandatory outlays; 2009 budget: $10.5 billion for operations plus $42 billion in Unemployment & Job Training; 2001 Budget: $11.9 billion
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Rep. Xavier Becerra | Former HHS Secretaries:
Alex Azar (2018-2021); Rep. Tom Price in Trump's first term (2017);
Sylvia Mathews Burwell in Pres. Obama's second term (2014-2017);
Kathleen Sebelius in Pres. Obama's first term (2009-2014);
Mike Leavitt in Pres. Bush's second term (2005-2009);
+ 2 more below.
2024 Budget: $2.8 trillion; 2017 Budget: $1.1 trillion total, including $386 billion for Medicare, $315 billion for Medicaid, and $325 billion for the Health Care Trust Fund; 2018 Trump proposal: $15.1 billion decrease; 2013 Budget: $941 billion total, including $860 billion for Medicare/Medicaid; 2006 Budget: $67.2 billion for operations plus $574 billion for Medicare/Medicaid; 2001 Budget: $53.9 billion
Protects the health and well-being of Americans. HHS is in charge of Medicare (which provides health insurance to older and disabled Americans) and Medicaid (which helps provide insurance to low-income citizens). Its other agencies include:
- FDA: The Food and Drug Administration
- NIH: National Institutes of Health.
- CDC: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- AFDC: Aid to Families with Dependent Children (the welfare program).
- Tom Daschle nominated as Secretary of H.H.S. by Pres. Obama; withdrew (2009)
Sen. Daschle authored Critical: What We Can Do About the Health-Care Crisis in 2008
- Tommy Thompson served as Secretary of H.H.S. in Pres. Bush's first term (2001-2005);
Secretary Thompson authored Power to the People in 1996
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Rep. Marcia Fudge | Former HUD Secretaries:
Shaun Donovan in Pres. Obama's first term (2009-2014);
Alphonso Jackson in Pres. Bush's second term (2004-2008);
Mel Martinez in Pres. Bush's first term (2001-2004);
+ 3 more below.
2024 Budget: $283 billion; 2017 Budget: $47.9 billion; 2018 Trump proposal: $6.2 billion decrease; 2013 Budget $46.3 billion; 2006 Budget $28.5 billion; 2001 Budget: $28.5 billion
HUD tries to make sure there is enough affordable housing to fulfill "The American Dream" of home ownership. It also helps enforce equal-opportunity housing laws, so that people won’t be discriminated against when they try to move into a new neighborhood.
- Dr. Ben Carson served as Secretary of H.U.D. in Pres. Trump's second term (2017-2021)
Dr. Carson authored One Nation in 2014
and A More Perfect Union in 2015.
- Julian Castro served as Secretary of H.U.D. in Pres. Obama's second term (2014-2017)
Secretary Castro authored An Unlikely Journey in 2018.
- Andrew Cuomo served as HUD Secretary in Bill Clinton's second term (1997-2000).
Secretary Cuomo American Crisis in 2020.
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Mayor Pete Buttigieg | Former Transportation Secretaries:
Anthony Foxx in Pres. Obama's second term (2013-2017);
Ray LaHood in Pres. Obama's first term (2009-2013);
Mary Peters in George W. Bush's second term (2006-2009);
Norman Mineta in George W. Bush's two terms (2001-2006) and in Bill Clinton's second term (2000-2001);
+ 3 more below.
2024 Budget: $293 billion; 2017 Budget: $95.3 billion including $45.5 billion in federal highway administration; 2018 Trump proposal: $2.4 billion decrease; 2013 Budget: $99 billion including $75 billion in mandated spending; 2008 Budget: $58 billion; 2001 Budget: $18.4 billion
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Gov. Jennifer Granholm | Former Energy Secretaries:
Ernest J. Moniz in Pres. Obama's second term (2013-2017);
Steven Chu in Pres. Obama's first term (2009-2012);
Samuel Bodman in Pres. Bush's second term (2005-2009);
Spencer Abraham in Pres. Bush's first term (2001-2005);
+ 3 more below.
2024 Budget: $153 billion; 2017 Budget: $30.8 billion; 2013 Budget: $35.6 billion; 2018 Trump proposal: $1.7 billion decrease; 2006 budget: $23.4 billion; 2001 Budget: $19.7 billion
In charge of making sure the country has enough energy, from gas for our cars to oil for heating our homes. Some of its agencies:
- FERC: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
- DOE also manages nuclear testing facilities and the military's nuclear weapons (about $49.4 billion, which is excluded from the DoD budget).
- Jennifer_Granholm served in Pres. Biden's term (2021-2024).
Secy. Granholm authored A Governor`s Story in 2011.
- Gov. Rick Perry served in Pres. Trump's first term (2017-2019).
Sec. Perry authored On My Honor in 2008.
- Gov. Bill Richardson served in Pres. Clinton's second term (1998-2001).
Secy. Richardson authored Leading by Example in 2007.
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ED Secretary Miguel Cardona | Former Education Secretaries:
Betsy DeVos (2017-2021);
Arne Duncan in Pres. Obama's administration (2009-20!5);
Margaret Spellings in Pres. Bush's second term (2005-2009);
Rod Paige in Pres. Bush's first term (2001-2004);
Lamar Alexander in George Bush Sr.'s term (1991-1993).
2024 Budget: $242 billion; 2017 Budget: $79.4 billion; 2018 Trump proposal: $9.2 billion decrease; 2013 Budget: $71.9 billion; 2006 Budget: Discretionary $56.0 billion plus Mandatory $13.4 billion; 2001 Budget: $39.9 billion
Distributes federal money for college loans and scholarships, and funds programs to improve the education of grade school and high school kids, especially those from low-income families.
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DVA Secretary Denis McDonough |
Denis McDonough (2021-2024)
(Secretary of Veterans Affairs)
Former DVA Secretaries:
Acting Secretary Robert Wilkie (2018-2021); David Shulkin in Pres. Trump's first term (2017-2018);
Gen. Eric Shinseki in Pres. Obama's first term (2009-2014);
James Peake in Pres. Bush's second term (2007-2009);
Jim Nicholson in Pres. Bush's second term (2005-2007);
Anthony Principi in Pres. Bush's first term (2001-2005)
2024 Budget: $406 billion; 2017 Budget: $179 billion including $104 billion in benefits paid; 2018 Trump proposal: $4.4 billion increase; 2013 Budget: $60 billion plus $89 billion in mandated spending; 2006 Budget: $73.2 billion; 2001 Budget: $22.3 billion
The VA manages hospitals for veterans and gives support to America’s 25 million veterans and their families.
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Alejandro Mayorkas | Former DHS Secretaries:
Gen. John Kelly in Pres. Trump's first term (resigned July 2017 to become Chief of Staff);
Jeh Johnson in Pres. Obama's second term (2013-2017);
Janet Napolitano in Pres. Obama's first term (2009-2013);
Michael Chertoff in Pres. Bush's second term (2005-2009);
Rep. Paul McHale served as Assistant Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security under Pres. Bush (2003-2009);
+ 2 more below.
2024 Budget: $176 billion;2017 Budget: $47.8 billion; 2018 Trump proposal: $2.8 billion increase; 2013 Budget: $55 billion; 2009 budget: $52 billion; 2001 Budget: $40 billion
The "Terrorism Czar" was first a Cabinet-level position, and then made a Cabinet department.
- Coordinates a comprehensive national strategy to safeguard our country against terrorism, and responds to any attacks that may come.
- The office was created on Sept. 20 2001 by Pres. Bush in response to the World Trade Center attack.
- The Terrorism Czar Richard Clarke was not Ridge's predecessor -- Clarke's title was National Coordinator for Security and Counter-Terrorism and he served under Condoleezza Rice on the National Security Council.
Clarke authored Against All Enemies in 2004.
- Tom Ridge served as Secretary of the Office Homeland Security in Pres. Bush's first term (2001-2004).
Gov. Ridge authored Test of our Times in 2009.
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EPA Director Michael S. Regan |
Michael S. Regan (2021-2024)
(Director of the Environmental Protection Agency) Acting Secretary Andrew Wheeler
Former EPA Directors:
Scott Pruitt in Trump's first term (2017-2018);
Gina McCarthy in Pres. Obama's second term (2013-2017);
Lisa Jackson in Pres. Obama's first term (2009-2012);
Stephen Johnson in Pres. Bush's second term (2005-2009);
Mike Leavitt in Pres. Bush's first term (2003-2005);
Christie Whitman in Pres. Bush's first term (2001-2003).
2024 Budget: $84.4 billion;2017 Budget: $8.7 billion; 2013 Budget: $9.2 billion; 2007 Budget: $7.3 billion; 2001 Budget: $7.8 billion
The EPA is technically not in the Cabinet, but is a "Cabinet-level agency." EPA is responsible for promulgating and enforcing environmental regulations.
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Independent AgenciesNumerous federal agencies are not directly supervised by any Cabinet department. These include:
- ACE: Army Corps of Engineers
(2024 Budget: $83.7 billion; 2006 budget: $4.3 billion plus $1.6 billion for construction; 2001 budget: $4.5 billion)
- CIA: Central Intelligence Agency
(2024 Budget: $3.1 billion; 2017 budget: $0.5 billion; 2008 budget and earlier budgets are classified (secret); 1998 budget: $26.7 billion)
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Mike Pompeo, (2017 Trump appointee)
Porter Goss resigned as CIA chief in May 2006.
- CBO: Congressional Budget Office
- CFPB: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Elizabeth Warren, pre-Agency Special Adviser, 2010-2011
Richard Cordray, Director, 2012-2017
Mick Mulvaney, Director, (2017 Trump appointee)
- CPSC: Consumer Product Safety Commission
Inez Tenenbaum, Chair, 2009-2013
Ann Marie Buerkle, Commissioner, 2013-date
- Council of Economic Advisers
(2024 Budget: $0.006 billion;
2017 budget: $0.005 billion)
Larry Kudlow, (2017 Trump appointee)
- EPA: Environmental Protection Agency (see above at Cabinet-level)
- EXIM: Export-Import Bank
Scott Garrett, chairman and president (2018 Trump appointee)
- FCC: Federal Communications Commission
- FDIC: Federal Deposit Insurance Commission
- FEC: Federal Election Commission
- FEMA: Federal Emergency Management Agency
(2024 Budget: $46.9 billion; 2017 budget: $2.0 billion (part of DHS budget); 2008 budget: $8.0 billion; 2001 budget: $2.4 billion)
- Federal Reserve: The agency headed by Alan Greenspan which sets interest rates.
- FDA: Food and Drug Administration
- FHFA: Federal Housing Finance Agency
Mel Watt, Director, 2013-date
- GAO: Government Accountability Office
David Walker, Comptroller-General of the United States, 1998-2008
- LSC: Legal Services Corporation (2017 budget: $0.5 billion; 2008 budget: $0.4 billion; 2001 budget: $0.3 billion)
- NASA: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (2017 budget: $19.2 billion; 2008 budget: $17.3 billion; 2001 budget: $14.3 billion)
Bill Nelson, NASA Administrator (2021 Biden appointee)
Jim Bridenstine, NASA Administrator (2018 Trump appointee)
- NEA: National Endowment for the Arts
(2024 Budget: $0.210 billion; 2017 budget: $0.1 billion; 2004 budget: $0.1 billion; 2001 budget: $0.1 billion)
- NEH: National Endowment for the Humanities
(2024 Budget: $0.211 billion; 2017 budget: $0.02 billion; 2001 budget: $0.1 billion)
- NRC: Nuclear Regulatory Commission
- NSF: National Science Foundation (2017 budget: $8.1 billion; 2001 budget: $4.4 billion)
- ODNI: Office of the Director of National Intellignce The DNI oversees the CIA and 15 other intelligence agencies, serving as the principal adviser to the president
- Dan Coats, (2017 Trump appointee)
- John Ratcliffe, (2020 Trump appointee)
- Peace Corps: overseas volunteer service
- Public Health Service: Uniformed service of the Department of H.H.S.
Richard Carmona, Surgeon-General of the United States, 2002-2006
- SEC: Securities and Exchange Commission
- SBA: Small Business Administration
(2024 Budget: $58 billion; 2017 budget: $2.1 billion; 2006 budget: $0.4 billion; 2001 budget: $0.3 billion)
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Linda McMahon, (2017 Trump appointee)
- Smithsonian: National Museum (2017 budget: $1.1 billion; 2008 budget: $0.7 billion; 2001 budget: $0.5 billion)
- SSA: Social Security Administration
(2024 Budget: $13.7 billion operating budget; 2017 budget: $98.6 billion for "on-budget" accounts including $64.3 billion SSI and $39.5 Trust Fund; then in addition, $1.03 trillion for "off-budget" accounts; 2009 budget: $9.7 billion for operations, plus $610 billion for Social Security payments; 2001 budget: $6.0 billion)
- USAID: U.S. Agency for International Development
- USITC: U.S. International Trade Commission
Rep. Connie Morella, Ambassador to OECD, 2003-2005
- USPS: U.S. Postal Service
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Executive AgenciesSome additional federal agencies are overseen directly by the Executive branch:
- White House: The Chief of Staff oversees the functioning of the White House.
- NSA: National Security Agency
- NSC: National Security Council
- OPE: White House Office of Public Engagement, for outreach to the public.
Rep. Cedric Richmond, Director of OPE, appointed by Pres. Biden, (2021-2022)
Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Director of OPE, appointed by Pres. Biden, (2022-2023)
- OMB: Office of Management and Budget, the President's counterpart to Congress' CBO.
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Source for budget figures: US Budget FY 2002 Presidential Request, Table S-6, Discretionary Budget Authority by Agency. Note that mandatory spending is not included in budget figures.
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