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Reference/Links: U.S. Government

US executive

Department of Agriculture is responsible primarily for matters relating to food and food production. Also protects natural resources. Includes:

Forest Service manages our National Forests and Grasslands. Includes:

Natural Resources Conservation Service works with landowners on private lands to conserve natural resources.
Farm Service Agency supports farmers and helps them conserve resources.
Food and Consumer Service runs the Food Stamp Program and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

Department of Commerce works with the business community to foster economic growth and the creation of new American jobs. Includes:

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts changes in the Earth's environment and conserves the nation's coastal and marine resources to ensure sustainable economic opportunities. Runs the National Weather Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service.

Department of Energy promotes efficiency in energy use, diversity in energy sources, a stronger economy, improved environmental quality and a secure national defense. Includes:

The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy works to develop renewable and efficient energy technologies that are cost-effective.
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is a federal lab that researches alternative energy sources.

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Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves. Includes:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is responsible for preventing and controlling disease, injury, and disability.
Food and Drug Administration is responsible for ensuring that foods, drugs, medical products, cosmetics and electronic devices are safe to use and accurately represented.
National Institute of Health is one of the world's foremost biomedical research centers.

Department of the Interior is charged with protecting and providing access to the nation's natural and cultural heritage and honoring its trust responsibilities to tribes. Includes:

Bureau of Land Management manages what remains of the public domain -- about one-eighth of the nation's land.
National Park Service manages the country's National Parks.
Indian Affairs administers federal programs for Indian tribes and promotes Indian self-determination.
Office of Surface Mining protects citizens and the environment during coal mining and reclamation.
U.S. Geological Survey provides geologic, topographic, and hydrologic information needed for the wise management of the nation's natural resources.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conserves, protects, and enhances fish and wildlife and their habitats. Runs the National Wildlife Refuge System and the Endangered Species Program.

Environmental Protection Agency works with state and local governments to fight pollution.

NASA's Observatorium offers amazing images, movies and information on planets, stars, space and weather.

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The White House assists the President in the performance of his duties, and facilitates communication with Congress, executive departments, the press and the general public.

US judiciary

The Supreme Court is the highest federal court. (Note: this site is published by the Legal Information Institute at Cornell Law School, not by the Supreme Court.)

US legislature

Government Accounting Office is the investigative arm of the Congress charged with examining all matters relating to the receipt and disbursement of public funds.

Government Printing Office prints, binds, and distributes the publications of the Congress, as well as the executive departments of the Federal Government.

The House of Representatives is the chamber of Congress whose Members are elected from the states in proportion to the states' populations. It shares equal responsibility with the Senate for declaring war, maintaining the armed forces, assessing taxes, borrowing money, minting currency, regulating commerce, and making all laws necessary for the operation of the government.

Library of Congress is responsible for sustaining and preserving a universal collection of knowledge and creativity for Congress, the American people and future generations. Publishes:

Thomas, a website that makes Federal legislative information freely available to the Internet public, including the text of bills.

The Senate is the chamber of Congress consisting of 2 Members from each state. Its responsibilities are the same as the House's, except that it has exclusive responsibility for advising and consenting on treaties and nominations.

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