January 2009
Obama Wax Figure at Madam Turand’s Wax Museum
Obama’s Cabinet
Vice President: Joe Biden
Serves as first in line to succeed the
president if he is unable to fulfill his
duties and as president of the Senate.
Chief of Staff: Rahm Emanuel
Controls access to the president and is
responsible for day-to-day operations
of the White House.
Attorney General: Eric Holder
Oversees the federal agency in charge
of law enforcement and defending the
legal interests of the U.S.
Secretary of the Treasury:
Timothy Geithner
Leads the United States Department of the
Treasury and has a central role in guiding
U.S. economic and financial policy.
Head of Office of Management and Budget:
Peter Orszag
Oversees the federal agency that assists the
president in compiling a budget and
evaluating government programs and
organizations.
Secretary of Defense: Robert Gates
Oversees the Department of
Defense.
Secretary of State: Hillary Clinton
Oversees the federal agency that
represents the U.S. in its relations with
other countries.
Secretary of Homeland Security:
Janet Napolitano
Oversees the federal agency responsible for
coordinating resources and activities among
federal, state and local governments aimed
at protecting the homeland.
Ambassador to UN: Dr. Susan E. Rice
The UN Ambassador is the leader of the United
States' delegation to the United Nations. She will be
charged with representing the United States on the
UN Security Council.
National Security Adviser:
Retired General James L. Jones
The National Security Council is the President's
principal forum for considering national security
and foreign policy matters with his senior
national security advisers and cabinet officials.
Secretary of Commerce: Bill
Richardson
Oversees the federal agency
responsible for developing and
promoting domestic and foreign trade.
Secretary of Health, Human Services:
Tom Daschle
Oversees the federal agency responsible for
promoting public health and providing
essential human services.
Secretary of Veteran’s Affairs: General
Eric Shinseki
Overseas the administration of programs for veterans, their
families, and survivors. The benefits provided include disability
compensation, pension, education, home loans, life insurance,
vocational rehabilitation, survivors' benefits, medical and burial
benefits.
Secretary of Interior: Ken Salazar
Oversees the federal agency that
manages federal lands and natural
resources.
Secretary of Energy: Steven Chu
Oversees the federal agency
responsible for promoting energy
development.
Administrator of Environmental Protection
Agency: Lisa Jackson
Oversees the federal agency that leads the
nation's environmental science, research,
education and assessment efforts.
Secretary of Education:
Arne Duncan
Oversees the federal agency responsible for
promoting student academic achievement and
competitiveness in the global marketplace.
Chair of White House Council on
Energy and Climate: Carol Browner
This is a new position. Obama said Browner would
"coordinate energy and climate policy" from the White
House and "will be indispensable in implementing an
ambitious and complex energy policy."
White House Council on Environmental
Quality: Nancy Sutley
Coordinates federal environmental efforts and
works closely with agencies and other White
House offices in the development of
environmental policies and initiatives.
Secretary of Agriculture: Tom Vilsack
Oversees the federal agency
responsible for helping set policy on
food, agriculture and related issues.
Secretary of Transportation:
Ray LaHood
Oversees the federal agency that
works to ensure safe, efficient
transportation.
Secretary of Labor: Hilda Solis
Oversees the federal agency that
promotes the welfare of workers and
improvement of working conditions.
U.S. Trade Representative: Ron Kirk
Oversees the federal agency that
negotiates trade agreements with
other nations.
Administrator of U.S. Small Business
Administration: Karen Mills
The U.S. Small Business Administration was created in 1953 as an independent agency
of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small
business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and
strengthen the overall economy of our nation.
Chair of Securities and Exchange
Commission: Mary Shapiro
The mission of the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission is to protect investors, maintain fair, orderly,
and efficient markets, and facilitate capital formation.
Chair of Commodities Futures Trading Commission: Gary Gensler
The mission of the Commodities Futures Trading
Commission is to protect market users and the public
from fraud, manipulation, and abusive practices related
to the sale of commodity and financial futures and
options, and to foster open, competitive, and financially
sound futures and option markets.
Federal Reserve Board Governor:
Daniel K. Tarullo
• 7 Members
• Nominated by President
• Confirmed by Senate
• Fair representation of financial,
agricultural, industrial and commercial
interests and geographical divisions of
the country
• No two governors may come from the
same Federal Reserve District.
• Full term is 14 years
• One term expires on January 31 of each
even numbered year
• May not be reappointed, but can
complete an unexpired term and then
one of their own.
• Once appointed, may not be removed
for policy views.