Selected Agencies

Census Bureau

This Bureau collects national statistical information and conducts the decennial population census.

Central Intelligence Agency

This Agency coordinates the intelligence functions of government agencies relating to national security. It also gathers and evaluates intelligence relating to national security and distributes this.

Consumer Product Safety Commission

This Agency monitors the safety of various products for consumers to use. It also develops uniform safety standards for consumer products.

Environmental Protection Agency

This Agency strives to protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment.

Federal Communications Commission

This Agency is directly responsible to Congress for regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable.

Federal Election Commission

This regulatory Agency enforces the Federal Election Campaign Act - the statute that governs the financing of federal elections. The duties of the FEC, which is an independent regulatory agency, are to disclose campaign finance information, to enforce the provisions of the law such as the limits and prohibitions on contributions, and to oversee the public funding of Presidential elections.

Federal Reserve System

The Federal Reserve, the central bank of the United States, was founded by Congress in 1913 to provide the nation with a safer, more flexible and more stable monetary and financial system.

Federal Trade Commission

This Agency has the authority to enhance consumer welfare and protect competition in broad areas of the economy. Laws are enforced that prohibit business practices that are anticompetitive, deceptive or unfair to consumers without impeding legitimate business activity.

Food and Drug Administration

This Agency is charged with ensuring that food is safe, pure and wholesome; that human and animal drugs, biological products and medical devices are safe and effective; that electronic products that emit radiation are safe.

National Aeronautics & Space Administration

This Administration conducts research for the solution of problems of flight within and outside the Earth’s atmosphere; develops, constructs, tests and operates aeronautical and space vehicles; conducts activities required for the exploration of space with manned and unmanned vehicles; arranges for the utilization of the scientific and engineering resources of the U.S. with other nations while engaged in aeronautical and space activities for peaceful purposes.

National Archives and Records Administration

This Administration ensures for citizens and Federal officials access to essential evidence that documents the rights of American citizens, the actions of federal officials, and the national experience. It establishes policies and procedures for managing U.S. Government records; assists Federal agencies in documenting their activities; manages the Presidential Libraries system; published laws, regulations and Presidential and other documents. The Declaration of Independence , The Constitution of the U.S., and The Bill of Rights are preserved and on display in Washington, D.C.

National Park Service

This Bureau works to conserve the natural and cultural resources of the National Park System for the enjoyment and education of all people.

National Transportation Safety Board

This independent Agency investigates every civil aviation accident that occurs and also investigates other major accidents in other modes of transportation - railroad, highway, marine and pipeline. It also issues safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.


Nuclear Regulatory Commission

This Commission formulates policies, issues regulations covering nuclear reactor and nuclear material safety, issues licenses and adjudicates legal matters.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

This Administration is concerned with saving lives, preventing injuries, and protecting the health of America's workers.


Patent and Trademark Office

This Office promotes the progress of science and the useful arts by securing for limited times to inventors the exclusive rights to their respective discoveries. The Office advises the President and the administration on patents, copyrights and trademarks and also advises the President and the administration on the trade-related aspects of intellectual property.

Securities and Exchange Commission

The primary mission of this Commission is to protect investors and maintain the integrity of the securities market. It also oversees major participants in the securities world: stock exchanges, brokers-dealers, investment advisors, mutual funds and public utility holding companies.

Small Business Administration

This Administration strives to maintain and strengthen the nation’s economy by aiding, counseling, assisting and protecting the interests of small businesses and by helping small businesses recover from national disasters.

Smithsonian Institution

This Institution is an independent trust for the U.S. that fosters the increase and spread of knowledge. The world’s largest museum complex includes 16 museums and galleries, the National Zoo and research facilities. The Institution is dedicated to public education, national service and scholarship in the arts, sciences, history and culture.

Social Security Administration

This Administration manages the national social insurance program which consists of retirement, survivors and disability insurance programs known as Social Security. It also administers the Supplemental Security Income program for the aged, the blind and the disabled. The Administration also assigns Social Security numbers to U. S. citizens.

U. S. Postal Service

This Agency provides mail processing and delivery services to individuals and businesses in the U.S. The Service also protects the mails from loss or theft and apprehends those who violate the postal laws.