United States Cabinet

The Cabinet is a part of the executive branch of the U.S. federal government consisting of the heads of federal executive departments. Despite having evolved as one of the most powerful organs of the contemporary U.S. government, the term "Cabinet" does not appear in the U.S. Constitution, where reference is made only to the heads of departments.

Secretary selection process

The 15 Cabinet Secretaries are chosen by the President, and they are approved by the United States Senate by simple majority vote. Cabinet Secretaries are often selected from past and current American governors, senators, representatives, and other political office holders. Because of the strong system of separation of powers, however, no Cabinet member can simultaneously hold an office in the legislative or judicial branches of government while serving in Cabinet, nor can they hold office in state government. Private citizens such as businessmen or former military officials are also common Cabinet choices. Unlike the parliamentary system of government, Cabinet members are rarely "shuffled," and it is rare for a Secretary to be moved from one department to another. Some exceptions apply. For example, current Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta has previously served as Secretary of Commerce. A slightly more common occurrence is for popular Cabinet secretaries to be "brought back" to serve a second term under a new president. For example, current Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld held his position once before, under President Gerald Ford from 1975–1977.

Related Topics:
United States Senate - Governor - Senator - Representatives - Legislative - Judicial - State - Norman Mineta - Donald Rumsfeld - Gerald Ford

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Unlike many Cabinets in parliamentary systems, where the Prime Minister is said to be "first among equals," the officials in the United States Cabinet are strongly subordinate to the President. In addition, the United States Cabinet does not play a collective legislative or executive role (as do the Cabinets in parliamentary systems). The main interaction that Cabinet members have with the legislative branch are regular testimonials before Congressional committees to justify their actions, and coordinate executive and legislative policy in their respective fields of jurisdiction.

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Cabinet members can be fired by the President or impeached and removed from office by Congress. Commonly, a few Cabinet members may resign before the beginning of a second Presidential term. Usually, all Cabinet members resign shortly after the inauguration of a new President. Rarely, a popular or especially dedicated Cabinet member may be asked to stay, sometimes even serving under a new President of another party.

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