The Executive Branch of Government This article contains facts and information about the powers, duties, responsibilities and powers of the Executive Branch and how the Legislative and the Judiciary Branches can check the Executive. Definition of the Executive Branch of Government Definition: The Executive Branch of Government is empowered to enforce the law. The Executive branch consists of the president, the vice president and all the people, departments and agencies that report to the president. The Executive Branch is responsible for administering and enforcing the laws that Congress passes. Members of the Executive Branch There are over three million people who work in the Executive Branch. The three main areas are the Executive Office of the President (EOP); the cabinet and 15 executive departments. The Executive Branch - The President The President is assisted by official advisers he has appointed to head executive departments of government. The chief advisors of the President are collectively known as the Presidential Cabinet. The President and his Vice President are elected by the people every four years and have offices in the White House. The President has many duties. He is Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces and has the power to declare war, agree treaties, establish the armed forces and regulate foreign trade.. The Executive Branch - The Executive Office of the President (EOP) The Executive Office of the President (EOP) is comprised of the immediate staff of the President and support staff who include policy experts in various fields. Their duties are to implement presidential policies and programs. The National Security Council (NSC) advises the president on national security and foreign policy matters. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) formulates the budget. The Executive Branch - Agencies The Executive Branch is assisted by various independent agencies (organizations) such as the Post Office, the CIA and the Environment Protection Agency. Other agencies include the Commission on Civil Rights, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the Peace Corps and the Social Security Administration (SSA) |