The tradition of the Cabinet dates back to the beginnings of
the Presidency itself. One of the principal purposes of
the Cabinet (drawn from Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution)
is to advise the President on any subject he may require
relating to the duties of their respective offices.
The Cabinet includes the Vice President and, by law, the heads of 14
executive departments-the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense,
Education, Energy, Health and Human Services,
Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, State, Transportation,
Treasury, and Veterans Affairs, and the Attorney General.
Under President George W. Bush, Cabinet-level rank also has been
accorded to the Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency;
Director, Office of Management and Budget; the Director,
National Drug Control Policy; and the U.S. Trade Representative.
