cabinet

• memebrship and recruitment

  
  

  • The cabinet consists of 15 executive department heads and other presidential appointees.
  • The president selects cabinet members from Congress, city mayors, state governors, or academics.
  • Cabinet members cannot be members of Congress (e.g., John Kerry resigned as Senator when appointed Secretary of State in 2013).
  • The president seeks specialists in the policy areas of the department they head.
• • cabinet power for the president
  • The cabinet helps the president present major legislation, the budget, and elections.
  • Presidents aim to unite their cabinet early to support their agenda.
  • The cabinet is used to appear collegial and open to consulting on policies.
  • Cabinet meetings help presidents monitor legislation passing through Congress.
• significance of the cabinet

  • The cabinet helps resolve disputes between departments and allows interaction with the president.
  • Cabinet members are key to the president's functions.
  • They are among the most important officials, heading major state departments.
• Insignificance of the cabinet

  • EXOP has grown in importance, offering more access and advice than the cabinet.
  • The Constitution grants executive power to the president, not the cabinet.
  • Cabinet officers have divided loyalties, including loyalty to their own departments.