[United States Government Manual]
[July 01, 1995]
[Page 91]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 91]]
________________________________________________________________________

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES               William J. Clinton
________________________________________________________________________

Article II, section 1, of the Constitution provides that ``the executive 
Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He 
shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, * * *  together 
with the Vice President, chosen for the same Term * * *.'' In addition 
to the powers set forth in the Constitution, the statutes have conferred 
upon the President specific authority and responsibility covering a wide 
range of matters (United States Code Index).

    The President is the administrative head of the executive branch of 
the Government, which includes numerous agencies, both temporary and 
permanent, as well as the 14 executive departments.

The Cabinet

The Cabinet, a creation of custom and tradition dating back to George 
Washington's administration, functions at the pleasure of the President. 
Its purpose is to advise the President upon any subject, relating to the 
duties of the respective offices, on which he requests information 
(pursuant to Article II, section 2, of the Constitution).

    The Cabinet is composed of the heads of the 14 executive 
departments--the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, 
Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban 
Development, Interior, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury, and 
Veterans Affairs, and the Attorney General. Additionally, in the Clinton 
administration, Cabinet-level rank has been accorded to: the Chief of 
Staff to the President; the Chairman, Council of Economic Advisers; the 
Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency; the Director, Office of 
Management and Budget; the U.S. Representative to the United Nations; 
and the U.S. Trade Representative. The Vice President also participates 
in Cabinet meetings, and from time to time, other individuals are 
invited to participate in discussions of particular subjects. A 
Secretary to the Cabinet is designated to provide for the orderly 
handling and followup of matters brought before the Cabinet.
________________________________________________________________________