Executive Department
Executive Departments
Find detailed information about each Executive Department, including the department's secretary, role in government, contact information, and history of the department. * Department of Agriculture * 1400 Independence Ave., SW (20250) * Established: May 15, 1862. Administered by Commissioner of Agriculture until 1889, when it was made executive department. * Function: Supervises agricultural production to make sure prices are fair; helps farmers financially with subsidies and development programs; helps food producers sell their goods overseas; runs food assistance and nutrition programs. The USDA's inspection and grading programs make sure food is safe to eat. * Secretary: Tom Vilsack * Department of Commerce * 1401 Constitution Ave., NW (20230) * Established: Department of Commerce and Labor was created Feb. 14, 1903. On March 4, 1913, all labor activities were transferred out of Department of Commerce and Labor and it was renamed Department of Commerce. * Function: Promotes international trade, economic growth, and technological advancement; works to keep the U.S. competitive in international markets and to prevent unfair foreign trade practices; gathers statistics for business and government planners. * Acting Secretary: Rebecca Blank * Department of Defense * Office of the Secretary, The Pentagon (20301-1155) * Established: July 26, 1947, as National Military Establishment; name changed to Department of Defense on Aug. 10, 1949. Subordinate to Secretary of Defense are Secretaries of Army, Navy, Air Force. * Function: Oversees everything related to the nation's military security; directs the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force, as well as the Joint Chiefs of Staff and several specialized combat commands; nonmilitary responsibilities including flood control, development of oceanographic resources, and management of oil reserves. * Secretary: Chuck Hagel * Deputy
Find detailed information about each Executive Department, including the department's secretary, role in government, contact information, and history of the department. * Department of Agriculture * 1400 Independence Ave., SW (20250) * Established: May 15, 1862. Administered by Commissioner of Agriculture until 1889, when it was made executive department. * Function: Supervises agricultural production to make sure prices are fair; helps farmers financially with subsidies and development programs; helps food producers sell their goods overseas; runs food assistance and nutrition programs. The USDA's inspection and grading programs make sure food is safe to eat. * Secretary: Tom Vilsack * Department of Commerce * 1401 Constitution Ave., NW (20230) * Established: Department of Commerce and Labor was created Feb. 14, 1903. On March 4, 1913, all labor activities were transferred out of Department of Commerce and Labor and it was renamed Department of Commerce. * Function: Promotes international trade, economic growth, and technological advancement; works to keep the U.S. competitive in international markets and to prevent unfair foreign trade practices; gathers statistics for business and government planners. * Acting Secretary: Rebecca Blank * Department of Defense * Office of the Secretary, The Pentagon (20301-1155) * Established: July 26, 1947, as National Military Establishment; name changed to Department of Defense on Aug. 10, 1949. Subordinate to Secretary of Defense are Secretaries of Army, Navy, Air Force. * Function: Oversees everything related to the nation's military security; directs the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force, as well as the Joint Chiefs of Staff and several specialized combat commands; nonmilitary responsibilities including flood control, development of oceanographic resources, and management of oil reserves. * Secretary: Chuck Hagel * Deputy