United States Federal Agencies

The Executive Branch at Work

Overview

Federal agencies are organizations in the executive branch that carry out the laws and policies of the United States government. They play crucial roles in implementing and enforcing federal laws, providing services, and managing government operations.

Key Facts

  • Total Agencies: Over 400 agencies
  • Cabinet Departments: 15 executive departments
  • Federal Employees: Over 2 million civilian
  • Budget (2024): $6.8 trillion (total federal)

Types of Agencies

  • Executive Departments: Cabinet-level agencies
  • Independent Agencies: Non-cabinet agencies
  • Regulatory Agencies: Rule-making bodies
  • Government Corporations: Business-like entities

Cabinet Departments

The President's Cabinet includes the heads of the 15 executive departments, which are the primary units of the federal government.

State, Defense, Treasury

  • State Department:
    Foreign policy and diplomatic relations
    state.gov →
  • Defense Department:
    Military operations and national security
    defense.gov →
  • Treasury Department:
    Financial and economic management
    treasury.gov →

Health and Human Services

  • Department:
    Health and Human Services
  • Key Functions:
    Healthcare, social services

Education

  • Department:
    Education
  • Key Functions:
    Education policy, funding

Transportation

  • Department:
    Transportation
  • Key Functions:
    Transportation policy, infrastructure

Independent Agencies

These agencies are not part of the Cabinet but still play crucial roles in the federal government.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

  • Purpose:
    Domestic intelligence and security service
    fbi.gov →
  • Key Functions:
    Federal law enforcement, counterterrorism, counterintelligence

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)

  • Purpose:
    Foreign intelligence gathering and analysis
    cia.gov →
  • Key Functions:
    Foreign intelligence, covert operations, national security

Social Security Administration (SSA)

  • Purpose:
    Social security benefits administration
    ssa.gov →
  • Key Functions:
    Retirement benefits, disability insurance, Medicare enrollment

National Security Agency (NSA)

  • Purpose:
    Signals intelligence and cybersecurity
    nsa.gov →
  • Key Functions:
    Cryptography, communications intelligence, cyber operations

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

  • Purpose:
    Drug control and enforcement
  • Key Functions:
    Narcotics law enforcement, drug trafficking prevention

Environmental Protection Agency

  • Purpose:
    Environmental protection and regulation
    epa.gov →

NASA

  • Purpose:
    Aerospace research and exploration

National Science Foundation

  • Purpose:
    Funding and support for scientific research

Secret Service

  • Purpose:
    Federal law enforcement
  • Key Functions:
    Presidential protection, financial crimes investigation

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

  • Purpose:
    Immigration and customs law enforcement
    ice.gov →

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

U.S. Marshals Service

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

National Science Foundation (NSF)

Regulatory Bodies

These bodies are responsible for creating and enforcing rules and regulations.

Federal Communications Commission

Federal Trade Commission

  • Purpose:
    Protecting consumers and promoting fair competition
    ftc.gov →

National Labor Relations Board

  • Purpose:
    Promoting collective bargaining and preventing strikes
    nlrb.gov →

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

  • Purpose:
    Ensuring workplace safety and health
    osha.gov →

Government Corporations

These entities operate like businesses but are owned by the government.

United States Postal Service (USPS)

United States Postal Rate Commission

  • Purpose:
    Setting postal rates

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

  • Purpose:
    Insuring bank deposits and regulating financial institutions
    fdic.gov →

National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak)

Export-Import Bank

  • Purpose:
    Financing and facilitating U.S. exports
    exim.gov →