Departments of the Executive Branch of the United States Government

Poison the Fish: Starve the Eagles

Of note: the Departments of State; Treasury; and, Justice are Constitutionally authorized Executive Departments. The remainder of the Cabinet is populated by Congressionally Authorized Departments.

This is notable in that the Congress ceded its responsibilities to the Executive over the years following the adoption of the Constitution. This was, almost certainly, to allow a single, central, authority to coordinate the efforts of the respective departments with Congress retaining control, albeit in only the form of additional legislation.

Should Congress decide, the Authorization for each, every, and all these Departments could be revoked, returning the authority to operate the government through Congress. Until such time as this revocation occurs, the Congress has the Authority and Responsibility to fund, an.d demand that these Departments and their constituent Agencies comport themselves with their Congressional Directives.

While there are, without fear of successful contradiction, costs not necessary to the work of these Departments, the Congress, through its Constitutional Authority has authorized, and those heading these agencies therefore have a Constitutional Duty to utilize these funds as Authorized until the Congress determines to shift these Authorized funds to other purposes.

The concept of “run fast and break things” only leaves ruins in its wake. The preparation required to correct errors is generally beyond people who are unable to see that a careful, measured, conservative approach to change is how change is effected without causing “collateral damage” among the people in this country.

To that end, this web site will continue in hope of generating at least some interest and add to the discussion of how we might remember to do unto the least of these as we would have done unto ourselves – should we find ourselves in their position. Eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse”? Of course; permitting these occurrences is unjust to the people contributing to the good of all. Starve those not able to fend for themselves in the process; that’s not the United States my Scoutmasters taught me to work for.

The Departments of the Cabinet will each be described in turn and I ask for those wishing to see budget cuts to point out programs that ought be eliminated in the name of waste, fraud, and abuse. I ask for only those components that ought be eliminated because I am as certain as I have ever been about anything that each could be improved in its service delivery and fiscal responsibility.

1)      Department of Agriculture (USDA)

·         Year & Authority: Established in 1862.

·         Statutory Authority: 7 U.S.C. § 2201

·         Constitutional Authority: Implied via Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 (Commerce Clause).

·         Original Mandate: Promote agricultural interests.

·         Current Mandate: Oversees agriculture, food safety, and rural development.

·         Budget: $211 billion (FY 2024).

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2)      Department of Commerce (DOC)

·         Year & Authority: Created in 1903.

·         Statutory Authority: 15 U.S.C. § 1501

·         Constitutional Authority: Implied via Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 (Commerce Clause).

·         Original Mandate: Promote business and industry.

·         Current Mandate: Oversees trade, technology, and economic growth.

·         Budget: $12.3 billion (FY 2024).

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3)      Department of Defense (DoD)

·         Year & Authority: Established in 1947.

·         Statutory Authority: 10 U.S.C. § 111

·         Constitutional Authority: Implied via:

·         Article I, Section 8, Clauses 11–16 (war powers).

·         Article II, Section 2 (Commander-in-Chief).

·         Original Mandate: Coordinate military forces.

·         Current Mandate: National defense and military management.

·         Budget: $842 billion (FY 2024).

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4)      Department of Education (ED)

·         Year & Authority: Created in 1979.

·         Statutory Authority: 20 U.S.C. § 3401

·         Constitutional Authority: Implied via Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 (Spending Clause).

·         Original Mandate: Improve education quality.

·         Current Mandate: Oversees federal education policy.

·         Budget: $90 billion (FY 2024).

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5)      Department of Energy (DOE)

·         Year & Authority: Established in 1977.

·         Statutory Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 7131

·         Constitutional Authority: Implied via:

·         Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 (Commerce Clause).

·         Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 (Necessary and Proper Clause).

·         Original Mandate: Energy policy management.

·         Current Mandate: Energy security and innovation.

·         Budget: $52 billion (FY 2024).

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6)      Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

·         Year & Authority: Created in 1953.

·         Statutory Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 3501

·         Constitutional Authority: Implied via Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 (Spending Clause).

·         Original Mandate: Oversee health and welfare.

·         Current Mandate: Healthcare and public health.

·         Budget: $1.7 trillion (FY 2024).

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7)      Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

·         Year & Authority: Created in 2002.

·         Statutory Authority: 6 U.S.C. § 111

·         Constitutional Authority: Implied via:

·         Article I, Section 8, Clause 1.

·         Article II, Section 2.

·         Original Mandate: National security.

·         Current Mandate: Cybersecurity, border security, and disaster response.

·         Budget: $101 billion (FY 2024).

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8)      Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

·         Year & Authority: Established in 1965.

·         Statutory Authority: 42 U.S.C. § 3531

·         Constitutional Authority: Implied via Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 (Spending Clause).

·         Original Mandate: Improve housing.

·         Current Mandate: Housing and community development.

·         Budget: $73 billion (FY 2024).

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9)      Department of the Interior (DOI)

·         Year & Authority: Created in 1849.

·         Statutory Authority: 43 U.S.C. § 1451

·         Constitutional Authority: Implied via Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 (Property Clause).

·         Original Mandate: Manage public lands.

·         Current Mandate: Conservation and Indigenous relations.

·         Budget: $18 billion (FY 2024).

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10)  Department of Labor (DOL)

·         Year & Authority: Created in 1913.

·         Statutory Authority: 29 U.S.C. § 551

·         Constitutional Authority: Implied via Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 (Commerce Clause).

·         Original Mandate: Protect workers' rights.

·         Current Mandate: Labor laws enforcement.

·         Budget: $15 billion (FY 2024).

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11)  Department of State (DOS)

·         Year & Authority: Established in 1789.

·         Statutory Authority: 22 U.S.C. § 2651a

·         Constitutional Authority: Express via Article II, Section 2 (foreign affairs).

·         Original Mandate: Manage diplomacy.

·         Current Mandate: International relations.

·         Budget: $67 billion (FY 2024).

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12)  Department of Transportation (DOT)

·         Year & Authority: Created in 1966.

·         Statutory Authority: 49 U.S.C. § 102

·         Constitutional Authority: Implied via Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 (Commerce Clause).

·         Original Mandate: Infrastructure development.

·         Current Mandate: Transportation safety and innovation.

·         Budget: $106 billion (FY 2024).

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13)  Department of the Treasury

·         Year & Authority: Established in 1789.

·         Statutory Authority: 31 U.S.C. § 301

·         Constitutional Authority: Express via Article I, Section 8, Clauses 1–6 (taxation and finance).

·         Original Mandate: Manage federal revenue.

·         Current Mandate: Fiscal policy and financial regulation.

·         Budget: $20 billion (FY 2024).

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14)  Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

·         Year & Authority: Cabinet-level in 1989.

·         Statutory Authority: 38 U.S.C. § 301

·         Constitutional Authority: Implied via Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 (Spending Clause).

·         Original Mandate: Support veterans.

·         Current Mandate: Healthcare and veteran services.

·         Budget: $323 billion (FY 2024).

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15)  Department of Justice (DOJ)

·         Year & Authority: Created in 1870.

·         Statutory Authority: 28 U.S.C. § 501

·         Constitutional Authority: Express via Article II, Section 3 (law enforcement).

·         Original Mandate: Represent U.S. in legal matters.

·         Current Mandate: Federal law enforcement.

·         Budget: $39 billion (FY 2024).