Category:Executive Branch

The executive branch carries out and enforces America's laws. It includes the president, vice president, the Cabinet, executive departments, independent agencies, and other boards, commissions, and committees.

Key roles of the executive branch include:

• President - The president leads the country. He or she is the head of state, leader of the federal government, and Commander in Chief of the United States Armed Forces. The president serves a four-year term and can be elected no more than two times.

• Vice president - The vice president supports the president. If the president is unable to serve, the vice president becomes president. The vice president can be elected and serve an unlimited number of four-year terms as vice president, even under a different president.

• The Cabinet - Cabinet members serve as advisors to the president. They include the vice president, heads of executive departments, and other high-ranking government officials. Cabinet members are nominated by the president and must be approved by a simple majority of the Senate—51 votes if all 100 Senators vote.

• Executive Branch Agencies, Commissions, and Committees - Much of the work in the executive branch is done by federal agencies, departments, committees, and other groups.

Organizational Hierarchy

This organizational tree displays child organizations of the U.S. Executive Branch.