Executive Departments

Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Develops and executes federal laws related to farming, forestry, rural economic development, and food.

Department of Commerce (DOC)
Promotes economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development, and provides economic data.

Department of Defense (DOD)
Coordinates and supervises all agencies and functions of the government relating to national security and the armed forces.

Department of Education (ED)
Establishes policy for, administers, and coordinates most federal assistance to education.

Department of Energy (DOE)
Oversees the United States' policies regarding energy and safety in handling nuclear material.

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Protects the health of all Americans and provides essential human services, especially for those least able to help themselves.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Works in the civilian sphere to protect the United States within, at, and outside its borders.

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Addresses America's housing needs, improves and develops the nation's communities, and enforces fair housing laws.

Department of the Interior (DOI)
Manages America's vast natural and cultural resources.

Department of Justice (DOJ)
Enforces federal laws, seeks just punishment for the guilty, and ensures the fair and impartial administration of justice.

Department of Labor (DOL)
Promotes and improves the welfare, opportunities, and working conditions of wage earners in the United States.

Department of State (DOS)
Implements foreign policy, operates diplomatic missions, and represents the U.S. at the United Nations.

Department of Transportation (DOT)
Oversees federal highway, air, railroad, and maritime transportation.

Department of the Treasury
Manages federal finances, collects taxes, produces currency, and advises on economic policy.

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Provides vital services to America’s veterans.

Independent Agencies

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
Gathers, processes, and analyzes national security information from around the world.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Protects human health and the environment by enforcing regulations.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable.

Federal Reserve System (Fed)
Central banking system of the United States, which conducts the nation's monetary policy.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and aerospace research.

National Science Foundation (NSF)
Supports fundamental research and education in all the non-medical fields of science and engineering.

Social Security Administration (SSA)
Administers the social security program, a social insurance program consisting of retirement, disability, and survivors' benefits.

Regulatory Agencies

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
Ensures that consumers are treated fairly by banks, lenders, and other financial institutions.

Federal Election Commission (FEC)
Enforces campaign finance law in federal elections.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Protects consumers and competition by preventing anticompetitive, deceptive, and unfair business practices.

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Enforces federal securities laws and regulates the securities industry, the nation's stock and options exchanges.

Government Corporations

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
Insures deposits in banks and thrift institutions for at least $250,000.

National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak)
Provides intercity passenger train service.

Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
Provides electricity for business customers and local power companies.

Other Notable Agencies

United States Postal Service (USPS)
Provides mail processing and delivery services to individuals and businesses in the United States.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Preserves and documents government and historical records.

Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
Manages the civil service of the federal government.

Small Business Administration (SBA)
Supports small businesses and entrepreneurs with loans, loan guarantees, contracts, and counseling sessions.