Obama’s Cabinet

January 2009

Obama Wax Figure at Madam Turand’s Wax Museum

Vice President: Joe BidenServes 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.