POL/115 v4

U.S. Federal Bureaucracy and

Public Policy Worksheet
Part I:
Review the 15 executive departments listed below, and select 5 of them:

 U.S. Department of State   U.S. Department of Transportation 

 U.S. Department of the Treasury  U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
 U.S. Department of Defense  Development
 U.S. Department of Justice   U.S. Department of Health and Human
 U.S. Department of the Interior  Services 
 U.S. Department of Agriculture   U.S. Department of Energy 
 U.S. Department of Commerce   U.S. Department of Education 
 U.S. Department of Labor   U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 
 U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Use the departments you selected to complete the matrix below. Consider how these agencies may
affect you personally and professionally.

Major Federal Sub-Departments

Identify Departments’ Functions
Department (List at Least 3)

Sample: U.S. National Park Service, They oversee the National Parks, manage land
Department of the Bureau of Land resources and potential protected lands, and
Interior Management, Bureau oversee Native American affairs and needs.
of Indian Affairs

U.S. Department of Office of Community They oversee housing and development

Housing and Urban Planning and
Development Development,
Government National
Mortgage Association,
Office of Fair Housing
and Equal Opportunity
assistance as well as provide homeownership
assistance programs for many. Also, HUD ensures
fair housing and equal opportunity for all
applicants.

U.S. Department of FEMA, U.S. Citizenship
Homeland Security and Immigration
Services, U.S.
Customs and Border
Protection, U.S. Coast
Guard
The Department of Homeland Security oversees
any potential threats to the U.S. whether it be a
cyber attack or protection at the U.S boarder. As
well as making sure that immigration laws are
enforced at all times.

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 U.S. Federal Bureaucracy and Public Policy Worksheet
Major Federal Sub-Departments
Department (List at Least 3)
U.S. Department of Foreign Agricultural
Agriculture  Service, Natural
Resources
Conservation Service,
Animal and Plant
Health Inspection
Service
U.S. Department of Centers for Disease
Health and Human Control and Prevention,
Services Food and Drug
Administration, Office
of National Security
U.S. Department of Federal Bureu of
Justice  Investigations, U.S.
Marshals Service, The
Drug Enforcement
Agency
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POL/115 v4
Page 2 of 3
Identify Departments’ Functions
The USDA oversees the farming industry, inspects
food quality. They are responsible for
administrating programs such as free school
lunches, WIC, and food stamps. USDA also
oversees the transportation of legal/illegal plan and
animal products.
The Department of Health and Human Services
ensures that everyone has health and mental
services available to ensure everyone’s well being.
All of the sub-departments provide public health
services and social services to aid the masses.
The Department of Justice makes sure Federal
laws are being enforced. As well as ensuring the
public’s safety from domestic and foreign terrorism.
 U.S. Federal Bureaucracy and Public Policy Worksheet
POL/115 v4
Page 3 of 3

Part II:
Complete the following question and summaries.

1. Summarize the 5 departments you selected in a minimum of 90 words.

2. How do the 5 departments and their polices affect you personally, professionally, or both?

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