The Cabinet

The tradition of the Cabinet dates back to the beginnings of the Presidency itself. Established in Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution, the Cabinet's role is to advise the President on any subject he may require relating to the duties of each member's respective office.

The Cabinet includes the Vice President and the heads of 15 executive departments — the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs, as well as the Attorney General.

Official Cabinet Photo

President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden pose with the full Cabinet for an official group photo in the Grand Foyer of the White House, July 26, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

In order of succession to the Presidency:

Vice President of the United States
Joseph R. Biden

Department of State
Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton
http://www.state.gov
 
Department of the Treasury
Secretary Timothy F. Geithner
http://www.treasury.gov
 
Department of Defense
Secretary Leon E. Panetta
http://www.defenselink.mil
 
Department of Justice
Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr.
http://www.usdoj.gov
 
Department of the Interior
Secretary Kenneth L. Salazar
http://www.doi.gov
 
Department of Agriculture
Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack
http://www.usda.gov
 
Department of Commerce
Acting Secretary Rebecca Blank
http://www.commerce.gov
 
Department of Labor
Secretary Hilda L. Solis
http://www.dol.gov
 
Department of Health and Human Services
Secretary Kathleen Sebelius
http://www.hhs.gov
 
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Secretary Shaun L.S. Donovan
http://www.hud.gov
 
Department of Transportation
Secretary Ray LaHood
http://www.dot.gov
 
Department of Energy
Secretary Steven Chu
http://www.energy.gov
 
Department of Education
Secretary Arne Duncan
http://www.ed.gov
 
Department of Veterans Affairs
Secretary Eric K. Shinseki
http://www.va.gov
 
Department of Homeland Security
Secretary Janet A. Napolitano
http://www.dhs.gov

The following positions have the status of Cabinet-rank:
 
White House Chief of Staff
Jack Lew

Environmental Protection Agency
Administrator Lisa P. Jackson
http://www.epa.gov

Office of Management & Budget
Jeffrey Zients, Acting Director
whitehouse.gov/omb

United States Trade Representative
Ambassador Ronald Kirk
www.ustr.gov

United States Ambassador to the United Nations
Ambassador Susan Rice
www.usunnewyork.usmission.gov/

Council of Economic Advisers
Chairman Alan B. Krueger
www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/cea/
 
Small Business Administration
Administrator Karen G. Mills
www.sba.gov/

 

Inside the White House: The Cabinet

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