Executive Branch part 3

- Secretary of Health and Human Services: Advises the President on health, and welfare, The Department of Health and Human Services is the Cabinet-level department of the Federal executive branch most involved with the Nation's human concerns. In one way or another, it touches the lives of more Americans than any other Federal agency. It is literally a department of people serving people, from newborn infants to persons requiring health services to our most elderly citizens. The Center for Disease Control is one important faction of this department. The Secretary of Health and Human Services is Michael Leavitt.

-Department of Housing and Urban Development: The principal Federal agency responsible for programs concerned with the Nation's housing needs, and fair housing opportunities. The Department of Housing and Urban Development was created to: administer the principal programs that provide assistance for housing and for the development of communities, encourage the solution of housing and community development problems through States and localities; and encourage the maximum contributions that may be made by vigorous private homebuilding and mortgage lending industries. The Secretary of HUD is Steve Preston.

-Secretary of Transportation: The principal adviser to the President in all matters relating to Federal transportation programs. The U.S. Department of Transportation establishes the Nation's overall transportation policy. Under its umbrella there are 10 administrations whose jurisdictions include highway planning, development, and construction; urban mass transit; railroads; aviation; and the safety of waterways, ports, highways, and oil and gas pipelines. The Secretary of Transportation is Mary Peters.
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-Secretary of Energy: Decides major energy policy and planning issues; acts as the principal spokesperson for the Department of Energy, and ensures the effective communication and working relationships with Federal, State, local, and tribal governments and the public. The Secretary is the principal adviser to the President on energy policies, plans, and programs. The Secretary of the Energy is Samuel Bodman.

-Secretary of Education: Advises the President on education plans, policies, and programs of the Federal Government and serves as the chief executive officer of the Department of Education. He coordinates and oversees all Department activities, provides support and encouragement to States and localities on matters related to education, and focuses the resources of the Department and the attention of the country on ensuring equal access to education by promoting educational excellence throughout the Nation. The Secretary of Education is Margaret Spellings.

-Secretary of Veterans Affairs: Reports directly to the President and is responsible for the direction and supervision of all operations and activities of the Department of Veteran’s Affairs. The Department of Veterans Affairs operates programs to benefit veterans and members of their families. Benefits include compensation payments for disabilities or death related to military service; pensions; education and rehabilitation; home loan guaranty; burial; and a medical care program incorporating nursing homes, clinics, and medical centers. The Department is comprised of three organizations that administer veterans programs: the Veterans Health Administration, the Veterans Benefits Administration, and the National Cemetery Administration. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is Dr. James Peake.

-Secretary of Homeland Security: Works to prevent terrorist attacks within the United States, reduce America's vulnerability to terrorism, and minimize the damage from potential attacks and natural disasters. The Secretary of Homeland Security is Michael Chertoff.