Federal Agencies

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the only agency in the Federal government whose primary responsibility is the conservation and management of fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the American people. Its origins date back to 1871 when Congress established the U.S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries to study why the nation’s food fishes were decreasing and recommend ways to reverse that decline. A second predecessor agency, the Bureau of Biological Survey, was established in 1885. In 1939, Fisheries and Biological Survey were moved to the Department of the Interior, and on June 30, 1940, they were combined to create the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The Food and Consumer Service (FCS) was originally named the Food and Nutrition Service as established under Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1953 by the Secretary of Agriculture. The Food and Nutrition Service was abolished by the Secretary’s Memorandum 1010-1 dated Oct. 20, 1994. The functions of which were assumed by Food and Consumer Service. In 1998, the Food and Consumer Service was again renamed the Food and Nutrition Service as per the regulation published in the Federal Register of Feb. 26, 1998 (63 FR 9721). The duties of the Food and Consumer and Food and Nutrition Services as stated in the US Government Manual were to administer programs (Food Stamp Program, Special Nutrition Programs, Food Distribution Programs, Supplemental Food Programs, Commodity Supplemental Food Programs, and Nutrition, Education and Training Programs) to make food assistance available to people who need it. These programs were operated in cooperation with State and local governments. For further information on the functions, organization, and activities applicable to the current Food and Nutrition Service, please click on the agency description via this site, or visit the FNS webpage at http://www.fns.usda.gov/fns/about.htm. __________ Source: Information taken from U.S. Government Manual, 1996/97 and 2009/2010 editions

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for protecting the public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, the Nation's food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation. FDA is also responsible for advancing the public health by accelerating innovations to make medicines more effective and providing the public with accurate, science-based information on medicines and food to improve their health. FDA plays a significant role in addressing the Nation's counterterrorism capability and ensuring the security of the food supply.

The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) administers the USDA food assistance programs. These programs, which serve one in six Americans, represent our Nation's commitment to the principle that no one in this country should fear hunger or experience want. They provide a Federal safety net to people in need. The goals of the programs are to provide needy persons with access to a more nutritious diet, to improve the eating habits of the Nation's children, and to help America's farmers by providing an outlet for distributing foods purchased under farmer assistance authorities. The Service works in partnership with the States in all its programs. State and local agencies determine most administrative details regarding distribution of food benefits and eligibility of participants, and FNS provides commodities and funding for additional food and to cover administrative costs.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) was established by the Secretary of Agriculture on June 17, 1981, pursuant to authority contained in 5 U.S.C. 301 and Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1953 (5 U.S.C. app.). FSIS is responsible for ensuring that the nation's commercial supply of meat, poultry, and egg products is safe, wholesome, and correctly labeled and packaged. Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products Inspection Federal meat and poultry inspection is mandatory for cattle, calves, swine, goats, sheep, lambs, horses (and other equines), chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, and guineas used for human food. FSIS provides for the inspection of each animal or bird at slaughter and processed products during various stages of production. FSIS inspects all raw meat and poultry sold in interstate and foreign commerce, including imported products. It monitors meat and poultry products after they leave federally inspected plants. FSIS tests samples of egg products and meat and poultry products for microbial and chemical contaminants to monitor trends for enforcement purposes. FSIS provides inspection at Federal facilities for meat, poultry, and egg products, as well as voluntary inspection for animals not covered under mandatory inspection regulations such as buffalo, rabbit, and deer. It monitors meat and poultry products in storage, distribution, and retail channels; and takes necessary compliance actions to protect the public, including detention of products, voluntary product recalls, court-ordered seizures of products, administrative withdrawal of inspection, and referral for criminal prosecution. FSIS also monitors state inspection programs which inspect meat and poultry products sold only within the state in which they were produced.

The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) works to improve foreign market access for U.S. products, to build new markets, to improve the competitive position of U.S. agriculture in the global marketplace, and to provide food aid and technical assistance to foreign countries. FAS has the primary responsibility for USDA's activities in the areas of international marketing, trade agreements and negotiations, and the collection and analysis of international statistics and market information. It also administers the USDA's export credit guarantee and food aid programs. FAS helps increase income and food availability in developing nations by mobilizing expertise for agriculturally led economic growth. FAS also enhances U.S. agricultural competitiveness through a global network of agricultural economists, marketing experts, negotiators, and other specialists. FAS agricultural counselors, attaches, trade officers, and locally employed FAS staff stationed in over 90 countries support U.S. agricultural interests and cover 140 countries. In addition to agricultural affairs offices in U.S. embassies, agricultural trade offices also have been established in a number of key foreign markets and function as service centers for U.S. exporters and foreign buyers seeking market information. Reports prepared by our overseas offices cover changes in policies and other developments that could affect U.S. agricultural exports. FAS staff in U.S. embassies around the world assess U.S. export marketing opportunities and respond to the daily informational needs of those who develop, initiate, monitor, and evaluate U.S. food and agricultural policies and programs. In addition to data collection, FAS also maintains a worldwide agricultural reporting system based on information from U.S. agricultural traders, remote sensing systems, and other sources. Analysts in Washington, DC, prepare production forecasts, assess export marketing opportunities, and track changes in policies affecting U.S. agricultural exports and imports. FAS programs help U.S. exporters develop and maintain markets for hundreds of food and agricultural products, from bulk commodities to brand name items. Formal market promotion activities are carried out chiefly in cooperation with agricultural trade associations, State-regional trade groups, small businesses, and cooperatives that plan, manage, and contribute staff resources and funds to support these efforts. FAS also provides guidance to help exporters locate buyers and provides assistance through a variety of other methods. This includes supporting U.S. participation in several major trade shows and a number of single-industry exhibitions each year.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") of the US Department of the Treasury administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions based on US foreign policy and national security goals against targeted foreign countries and regimes, terrorists, international narcotics traffickers, those engaged in activities related to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and other threats to the national security, foreign policy or economy of the United States. OFAC acts under Presidential national emergency powers, as well as authority granted by specific legislation, to impose controls on transactions and freeze assets under US jurisdiction. Many of the sanctions are based on United Nations and other international mandates, are multilateral in scope, and involve close cooperation with allied governments.

The Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United States is a quasi-judicial, independent agency within the Department of Justice which adjudicates claims of U.S. nationals against foreign governments, either under specific jurisdiction conferred by Congress or pursuant to international claims settlement agreements. The decisions of the Commission are final and are not reviewable under any standard by any court or other authority. Funds for payment of the Commission's awards are derived from congressional appropriations, international claims settlements, or the liquidation of foreign assets in the United States by the Departments of Justice and the Treasury. The Commission also has authority to receive, determine the validity and amount, and provide for the payment of claims by members of the U.S. armed services and civilians held as prisoners of war or interned by a hostile force in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam conflict, or by the survivors of such service members and civilians. The Commission is also responsible for maintaining records and responding to inquiries related to the various claims programs it has conducted against the Governments of Albania, Bulgaria, China, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Egypt, Ethiopia, the Federal Republic of Germany, the German Democratic Republic, Hungary, Iran, Italy, Panama, Poland, Romania, the Soviet Union, Vietnam, and Yugoslavia, as well as those authorized under the War Claims Act of 1948 and other statutes.

The Foreign Service Grievance Board was established under Section 1105 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended (the Act). The purpose of the Board is to determine jurisdiction in cases involving grievances and separation for cause proceedings; to compile a record of such cases; to conduct hearings in such cases, when required or deemed necessary; and to decide such cases, or otherwise disposing of them so as to ensure the fullest measure of due process for the members of the foreign service. T he Board consists of no fewer than five members who are independent, distinguished citizens of the United States. Well known for their integrity, they are not employees of the foreign affairs agencies or members of the Service.

The Foreign Service Impasse Disputes Panel (the Disputes Panel) was created by the Foreign Service Act of 1980. The purpose of the Disputes Panel is to resolve impasses between Federal agencies and Foreign Service personnel in the Agency for International Development and the Departments of State, Agriculture and Commerce over conditions of employment under the Foreign Service Act of 1980. The Disputes Panel consists of five part-time members appointed by the Chair of the Foreign Service Labor Relations Board (the FLRA Chair). The staff of the Federal Service Impasses Panel supports the Disputes Panel.

The Foreign Service Labor Relations Board (the Board), which is composed of three Members appointed by the Chairman of the Federal Labor Relations Authority, was created by the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to administer the labor-management relations program for Foreign Service employees in the U.S. Information Agency, the Agency for International Development, and the Departments of State, Agriculture and Commerce. The Board is supported by the staff of the FLRA. The FLRA Chairman serves as Chairman of the Board and the FLRA General Counsel serves as General Counsel for the Board.

The Foreign-Trade Zones Board was established under the Foreign-Trade Zones Act of June 18, 1934, as amended (Pub. L. 397, 48 Stat. 998-1003). The FTZB consists of the Secretary of the Department of Commerce (chairman) and the Secretary of the Treasury, or their designated alternates. The Board has the authority to Prescribe rules and regulations concerning zones; issue grants of authority for zones and subzones, and approve modifications to the original zone project; approve manufacturing and processing certain activity in zones and subzones; make determinations on matters requiring Board decisions; decide appeals in regard to certain decisions of the Commerce Department's Assistant Secretary for Import Administration or the Executive Secretary; inspect the premises, operations and accounts of zone grantees and operators; require zone grantees to report on zone operations; report annually to the Congress on zone operations; restrict or prohibit zone operations; impose fines for violations of the Act; revoke grants of authority for cause; and determine, as appropriate, whether zone activity is or would be in the public interest or detrimental to the public interest.

The U.S.Forest Service was established in 1905 under the Transfer Act of February 1, 1905 (16 U.S.C. 472) which transferred the Federal forest reserves and the responsibility for their management from the Department of the Interior to the Department of Agriculture. The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.

The General Services Administration (GSA) was established by section 101 of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 751). The General Services Administration establishes policy for and provides economical and efficient management of Government property and records, including construction and operation of buildings; procurement and distribution of supplies; utilization and disposal of real and personal property; transportation, travel, fleet, and communications management; and management of the governmentwide automatic data processing resources program.

The U.S. Board on Geographic Names is a Federal body created in 1890 and established in its present form by Public Law in 1947. The Board was created to maintain uniform geographic name usage throughout the Federal Government. Sharing its responsibilities with the Secretary of the Interior, the Board promulgates official geographic feature names with locative attributes as well as principles, policies, and procedures governing the use of domestic names, foreign names, Antarctic names, and undersea feature names. The Board is made up of representatives of Federal agencies concerned with geographic information, population, ecology, and management of public lands.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) was established by the Organic Act of March 3, 1879 (43 U.S.C. 31). USGS classifies public lands, examines the geological structure, and assesses the energy, mineral, water, and biology resources and products within and outside the national domain. USGS provides relevant, objective scientific studies and information used to help address issues and solve problems dealing with natural resources, natural hazards, and the environmental effects on human and wildlife health.

The Government Accountability Office is the investigative arm of the Congress and is charged with examining all matters relating to the receipt and disbursement of public funds. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is an independent, nonpartisan Agency that works for Congress. GAO is often called the "congressional watchdog'' because it investigates how the Federal Government spends taxpayer dollars. The GAO was established as the General Accounting Office by the Budget Accounting Act of 1921 (31 U.S.C. 702). It was renamed the Government Accountability Office pursuant to the GAO Capital Reform Act of 2004 (31 U.S.C. 702 note).

The Office of Government Ethics (OGE), a small agency within the executive branch, was established by the Ethics in Government Act of 1978. Originally part of the Office of Personnel Management, OGE became a separate agency on October 1, 1989 as part of the Office of Government Ethics Reauthorization Act of 1988. The Office of Government Ethics exercises leadership in the executive branch to prevent conflicts of interest on the part of Government employees, and to resolve those conflicts of interest that do occur. In partnership with executive branch agencies and departments, OGE fosters high ethical standards for employees and strengthens the public's confidence that the Government's business is conducted with impartiality and integrity.

The Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) was created in 1968 under the National Housing Act of 1934 and its subsequent amendments. GNMA, also known as 'Ginnie Mae' was created as a Government-owned corporation within the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The mission of Ginnie Mae, is to support expanded affordable housing by providing an efficient Government-guaranteed secondary market vehicle to link the capital markets with Federal housing markets. Ginnie Mae guarantees mortgage-backed securities composed of FHA-insured or VA-guaranteed mortgage loans that are issued by private lenders and guaranteed by GNMA with the full faith and credit of the United States. Through these programs, Ginnie Mae increases the overall supply of credit available for housing by providing a vehicle for channeling funds from the securities market into the mortgage market.

The Government Printing Office was created by Congress in June of 1860 as an agency of the legislative branch of the Federal Government. GPO is the Federal Government's primary centralized resource for gathering, cataloging, producing, providing, authenticating, and preserving published information in all its forms. GPO is also responsible for the production and distribution of information products and services for all three branches of the Federal Government. In December 2014 legislation was passed that changed the agency's name from Government Printing Office to Government Publishing Office.

The Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) was established in 1994 to facilitate the marketing of livestock, poultry, meat, cereals, oilseeds, and related agricultural products, and to promote fair and competitive trading practices for the overall benefit of consumers and American agriculture. The Agency's mission is carried out in two different segments of American agriculture. The Federal Grain Inspection Service provides the U.S. grain market with Federal quality standards and a uniform system for applying them. The Packers and Stockyards Programs (P&SP) enforces the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921 (P&S Act), 7 U.S.C. 181 et seq., to promote fair and competitive marketing environments for the livestock, meat, and poultry industries. GIPSA also certifies State central filing systems for notification of liens against farm products. GIPSA is responsible for establishing official U.S. standards for grain and other assigned commodities, and for administering a nationwide official inspection and weighing system.

The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS) is a wholly owned government corporation created by statute May 13, 1954, to construct, operate and maintain that part of the St. Lawrence Seaway between the Port of Montreal and Lake Erie, within the territorial limits of the United States. The mission of the Corporation is to serve the U.S. intermodal and international transportation system by improving the operation and maintenance of a safe, reliable, efficient, and environmentally responsible deep-draft waterway, in cooperation with its Canadian counterpart. The GLS also encourages the development of trade through the Great Lakes Seaway System, which contributes to the comprehensive economic and environmental development of the entire Great Lakes region. The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation was formerly the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (See Pub. L. 116-260).

The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council was created under the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act of 2012 (RESTORE Act) (title I, subtitle F of Public Law 112-14.) Established as an independent entity, the Council is charged with developing a comprehensive plan for ecosystem restoration in the Gulf Coast (Comprehensive Plan), as well as any future revisions to the Comprehensive Plan. Among its other duties, the Gulf Restoration Council is tasked with identifying projects and programs aimed at restoring and protecting the natural resources and ecosystems of the Gulf Coast region, to be funded from a portion of the Trust Fund; establishing such other advisory committees as may be necessary to assist the Gulf Restoration Council, including a scientific advisory committee and a committee to advise the Gulf Restoration Council on public policy issues; gathering information relevant to Gulf Coast restoration, including through research, modeling, and monitoring; and providing an annual report to the Congress on implementation progress. Consistent with the RESTORE Act, the Comprehensive Plan developed by the Gulf Restoration Council will include provisions necessary to fully incorporate the Strategy, projects, and programs recommended by the Task Force.

The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation - the federal memorial to our thirty-third President - awards merit-based scholarships to college students who plan to pursue careers in government or elsewhere in public service. Truman Scholars receive up to $30,000 for graduate or professional school, participate in leadership development activities, and have special opportunities for internships and employment with the federal government. The mission of the Truman Scholarship Foundation is to find and recognize college juniors with exceptional leadership potential who are committed to careers in government, the nonprofit or advocacy sectors, education or elsewhere in the public service; and to provide them with financial support for graduate study, leadership training, and fellowship with other students who are committed to making a difference through public service.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) was created as the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare on April 11, 1953 (5 U.S.C. app.). HHS 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 a department of people serving people, from newborn infants to persons requiring health services to our most elderly citizens.

The Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) was created in 1977 to combine under one administration the oversight of the Medicare program, the Federal portion of the Medicaid program, and related quality assurance activities. Medicare provides health insurance coverage for people age 65 and over, younger people who are receiving social security disability benefits, and persons who need dialysis or kidney transplants for treatment of end-stage renal disease. Medicaid is a medical assistance program jointly financed by State and Federal governments for eligible low-income individuals. It covers health care expenses for all recipients of Aid to Families With Dependent Children, and most States also cover the needy elderly, blind, and disabled receiving cash assistance under the Supplemental Security Income Program. Coverage also is extended to certain infants and low-income pregnant women and, at the option of the State, other low-income individuals with medical bills that qualify them as categorically or medically needy. The Medicare/Medicaid programs include a quality assurance focal point to carry out the quality assurance provisions of the Medicare and Medicaid programs; the development and implementation of health and safety standards of care providers in Federal health programs; and the implementation of the end-stage renal disease and the peer review provisions. HCFA was renamed the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in July, 2001.

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) was created in 1982 as a subagency of the Department of the Health and Human Services. Formed from the merger of the Health Resources Administration and Health Services Administration, HRSA is the primary Federal agency for improving access to health care services for people who are uninsured, isolated or medically vulnerable. Among its duties, HRSA provides leadership and financial support to health care providers in every State and U.S. Territory; it oversees organ, bone marrow and cord blood donation; it supports programs that prepare against bioterrorism, compensates individuals harmed by vaccination, and maintains databases that protect against health care malpractice and health care waste, fraud and abuse.

The Office of Hearings and Appeals is the focus of the Department of Energy's adjudicatory process and reviews and issues all final DOE orders of adjudicatory nature, in accordance with departmental procedures. The Office is responsible for considering and issuing decisions on appeals from orders of a programmatic or regulatory nature issued by any other part of DOE and requests for exception or exemption from any regulatory or mandatory requirements.

The Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) exercises the delegated authority of the Secretary of the Interior to conduct hearings and decide appeals from decisions of the bureaus and offices of the Department of the Interior. OHA provides an impartial forum for parties who are affected by the decisions of the Department's bureaus and offices to obtain independent review of those decisions. OHA also handles the probating of Indian trust estates, ensuring that individual Indian interests in allotted lands, their proceeds, and other trust assets are conveyed to the decedents' rightful heirs and beneficiaries.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was established by the Homeland Security Act of 2002, (6 U.S.C. 101 note). The Department came into existence on January 24, 2003, and is administered under the supervision and direction of the Secretary of Homeland Security. The Department of Homeland Security leads the unified national effort to secure America. It will prevent and deter terrorist attacks and protect against and respond to threats and hazards to the Nation. The Department will ensure safe and secure borders, welcome lawful immigrants and visitors, and promote the free-flow of commerce.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) was established in 1965 by the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act (42 U.S.C. 3532-3537). HUD is the principal Federal agency responsible for programs concerned with the Nation's housing needs, fair housing opportunities, and improvement and development of the Nation's communities.

The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) was established under the Department of Labor in 1933 through the merger of the Bureau of Immigration and Bureau of Naturalization. The role of the INS was to administer matters related to establishing immigration and naturalization policy. After being transferred to the Department of Justice in 1940, the INS was subsequently dismantled by the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Pub. L. No. 107-296, 116 Stat. 2135) at which time its various duties were split up and transferred to three new agencies established under the Department of Homeland Security: The administration of immigration services, including permanent residence, naturalization, asylum and similar functions became the responsibility of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (later renamed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement); The INS investigative and enforcement functions were combined with related activities of U.S. Customs investigators, the Federal Protective Service, and the Federal Air Marshal Service to create the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; and The border functions were combined with U.S. Customs Inspectors to create the U.S.Customs and Border Protection. 

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) was created as part of the War Department in 1824 and transferred to the Department of the Interior when the latter was established in 1849. The mission of BIA is to fulfill its trust responsibilities and promote self-determination on behalf of federally recognized tribal governments, American Indians, and Alaska Natives. BIA provides services directly or through contracts, grants, or compacts to approximately 1.9 million American Indians and Alaska Natives, members of 573 federally recognized Indian tribes in the 48 contiguous United States and Alaska.

The Indian Arts and Crafts Board, an agency located in the U.S. Department of the Interior, was created by Congress to promote the economic development of American Indians and Alaska Natives through the expansion of the Indian arts and crafts market. A top priority of the IACB is the implementation and enforcement of the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990, a truth-in-advertising law that provides criminal and civil penalties for marketing products as "Indian-made" when such products are not made by Indians, as defined by the Act. The IACB's other activities include providing professional business advice, information on the Act and related marketing issues, fundraising assistance, and promotional opportunities to Native American artists, craftspeople, and cultural organizations. The IACB operates three regional museums, the Sioux Indian Museum, the Museum of the Plains Indian, and the Southern Plains Indian Museum. The IACB also produces a consumer directory of approximately 290 Native American owned and operated arts and crafts businesses. These activities are not duplicated in either the federal or private sector. The Indian Arts and Crafts Board is the only federal agency that is consistently and exclusively concerned with the economic benefits of Native American cultural development. The IACB's policies are determined by five commissioners who are appointed by the Secretary of the Interior, and serve without compensation. The IACB's activities and programs are carried out by a professional, experienced staff.

The Indian Health Service, as part of the Public Health Service, provides a comprehensive health services delivery system for American Indians and Alaska Natives. It assists Native American tribes in developing their health programs; facilitates and assists tribes in coordinating health planning, obtaining and utilizing health resources available through Federal, State, and local programs, operating comprehensive health programs, and evaluating health programs; and provides comprehensive health care services including hospital and ambulatory medical care, preventive and rehabilitative services, and development of community sanitation facilities.

The Office of Indian Trust Transition (OITT) was organized in November 2001 by DOI Secretarial Order 3235 as a temporary office under the Department of the Interior by the authority of the American Indian Trust Fund Management Reform Act of 1994. OITT was created to provide support in DOI’s efforts to reorganize the fiduciary Indian trust functions within the Department into a more efficient, effective and reliable organization. In accordance with the provisions of the establishing Order, the duties and existence of the OITT were terminated and considered obsolete on December 31, 2002.

The mission of the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is to advance U.S. national security, foreign policy, and economic objectives by ensuring an effective export control and treaty compliance system and promoting continued U.S. strategic technology leadership. BIS activities include regulating the export of sensitive goods and technologies in an effective and efficient manner; enforcing export control, antiboycott, and public safety laws; cooperating with and assisting other countries on export control and strategic trade issues; assisting U.S. industry to comply with international arms control agreements; and monitoring the viability of the U.S. defense industrial base and seeking to ensure that it is capable of satisfying U.S. national and homeland security needs.

The Information Security Oversight Office (ISOO) oversees the security classification programs in both Government and industry and reports to the President annually on their status. Executive orders 12829 and 12958 serve as the authority for ISOO, and the Office receives its policy and program guidance from the National Security Council. An organizational component of the National Archives and Records Administration, ISOO's goals are to hold classification activity to the minimum necessary to protect the national security; to ensure the safeguarding of classified national security information in both Government and industry in a cost-effective and efficient manner; and to promote declassification and public access to information as soon as national security considerations permit.

The Office of Inspector General was legislatively established in 1978 with the enactment of the Inspector General Act (Public Law 95-452). The act requires the Inspector General to independently and objectively perform audits and investigations of the Department's programs and operations; work with the Department's management team in activities that promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness or that prevent and detect fraud and abuse in programs and operations, both within USDA and in non-Federal entities that receive USDA assistance. The Office also reports OIG activities to the Secretary and the U.S. Congress semiannually as of march 31 and September 30 each year.

The mission of the Office of Inspector General (OIG), as mandated by Public Law 95-452 (as amended), is to protect the integrity of Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) programs, as well as the health and welfare of the beneficiaries of those programs. OIG has a responsibility to report both to the Secretary and to the Congress program and management problems and recommendations to correct them. OIG's duties are carried out through a nationwide network of audits, investigations, evaluations and other mission related functions performed by OIG components.

The Department of the Treasury's Office of Inspector General (OIG) was established in 1989 by the Secretary in accordance with the Inspector General Act Amendments of 1988. The OIG is headed by an Inspector General who is appointed by the President of the United States with the advice and consent of the United States Senate. The Inspector General reports to the Secretary of the Treasury through the Deputy Secretary and provides the Secretary with independent and objective reviews of the department's operations.

The Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development was established as a corporation by Title XV of Public Law 99-498 in 1986. Also known as the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) it became one of three colleges to be chartered by the United States Congress. IAIA is the only national center of research, training, and scholarship for Native Americans devoted solely to American Indian and Alaska Native arts and culture.

The Office of the Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator (IPEC) was established in 2008 to advise the President and coordinate with Cabinet departments and agencies on the development of the United States’ overall intellectual property policy and strategy, to promote innovation and creativity, and to ensure effective intellectual property protection and enforcement, domestically and abroad. It is part of the Executive Office of the President. Working with many department and agency heads within the administration, the IPEC, among other things, coordinates the development of a Joint Strategic Plan on Intellectual Property Enforcement and reports to the President and Congress on domestic and international intellectual property enforcement programs.

The Inter-American Foundation (IAF) was created in 1969 (22 U.S.C. 290f) as an experimental U.S. foreign assistance program. The Inter-American Foundation is an independent Federal agency that supports social and economic development in Latin America and the Caribbean. It makes grants primarily to private, local, and community organizations that carry out self-help projects.

The Interagency Floodplain Management Review Committee was established by President Clinton in January 1994. The IFMRC was created to determine the major causes and consequences of the 1993 Midwest Floods, evaluate the performance of existing floodplain managements and related management programs, make recommendations as to what changes in current policies, programs, and activities would most effectively achieve risk reduction, economic efficiency, and environmental enhancement in the floodplain and related watersheds, and identify legislative initiatives that might by proposed by the Clinton administration.

The Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (ACIR) was an independent, bipartisan intergovernmental agency established by Public Law 86-380 in 1959. The mission of the ACIR was "To strengthen the American federal system and improve the ability of federal, state, and local governments to work together cooperatively, efficiently, and effectively." The ACIR was disbanded in September of 1996. [http://www.library.unt.edu/govinfo/digital-collections/acir/]

The Department of the Interior protects and provides access to our Nation's natural and cultural heritage and honors our trust responsibilities to tribes and our commitments to island communities. The Department of the Interior was created by act of March 3, 1849 (43 U.S.C. 1451), which transferred to it the General Land Office, the Office of Indian Affairs, the Pension Office, and the Patent Office. It was reorganized by Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1950, as amended (5 U.S.C. app.). The Department manages the Nation's public lands and minerals, national parks, national wildlife refuges, and western water resources and upholds Federal trust responsibilities to Indian tribes and Alaskan natives. It is also responsible for migratory wildlife conservation; historic preservation; endangered species conservation; surface-mined lands protection and restoration; mapping geological, hydrological, and biological science for the Nation; and for financial and technical assistance for the insular areas.

The Office of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue was established by act of July 1, 1862 (26 U.S.C. 7802). The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is responsible for administering and enforcing the internal revenue laws and related statutes, except those relating to alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and explosives. Its mission is to collect the proper amount of tax revenue, at the least cost to the public, by efficiently applying the tax law with integrity and fairness.

Established in 1889, the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) has responsibility for applying the boundary and water treaties between the United States and Mexico and settling differences that may arise in their application. The IBWC is an international body composed of the United States Section and the Mexican Section, each headed by an Engineer-Commissioner appointed by his/her respective president. Each Section is administered independently of the other. The United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) is a federal government agency and is headquartered in El Paso, Texas. The IBWC operates under the foreign policy guidance of the Department of State. The mission of the IBWC is to apply the rights and obligations which the Governments of the United States and Mexico assume under the numerous boundary and water treaties and related agreements, and to do so in a way that benefits the social and economic welfare of the peoples on the two sides of the boundary and improves relations between the two countries.

The International Broadcasting Advisory Board is established under the International Broadcasting Act, as amended (22 U.S.C. 6205), as a permanent independent establishment of the Federal Government. The International Broadcasting Advisory Board is made up of seven members with expertise in the fields of mass communications, broadcast media, and international affairs. Six members are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The seventh, the Secretary of State, serves ex officio.

The International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB) was created under the International Broadcasting Act (Public Law 103-236) on April 30, 1994. The IBB is a component of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, which provides program placement and transmission services for all the BBG broadcast organizations and manages a global network of transmitting sites and an extensive system of leased satellite and fiber optic circuits, along with a rapidly growing Internet delivery system. The IBB also shapes Voice of America's increasing use of the Internet, mobile devices, social media and other digital platforms. It provides research and manages the evaluation of broadcasts and crafting of editorials.

The International Development Cooperation Agency (IDCA) was established by Executive Order in September, 1979. As an attempt to reorganize the foreign assistance management structure, the IDCA was envisioned by Senator Hubert Humphrey in 1978, to coordinate foreign assistance activities as they related to bilateral programs administered by USAID, multilateral programs of international lending institutions then under the purview of the Department of the Treasury, voluntary contributions to United Nations agencies then administered by the Department of State, food programs then administered by USAID, and the activities of OPIC. An International Development Institute would be established within IDCA to address, among other things, private and voluntary organizations and with one of the Institute's constituent parts being the Peace Corps. As established under Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1979, the only entity it actually coordinated was USAID and, since it was staffed with fewer than 75 people, could make only a marginal impact on overall bilateral and multilateral assistance policy. In the Reagan Administration, no staff were provided to IDCA and, functionally, it faded quickly from the scene. The Executive Order creating IDCA remained intact, however, defining some of the lines of authority in the administration of foreign assistance. Some of the other coordinating functions that had been expected to be exercised by IDCA (but not contained in the Executive Order) were initially exercised instead by USAID, but over time the functions fell into disuse. The IDCA was abolished by act of Oct. 2, 1998 (112 Stat. 2681-790) and its functions transferred to the Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development, and overseas Private Investment Corporation. __________ Sources: U.S. Government Manual, (2009/2010 ed.), p. 612. http://www.usaid.gov/about_usaid/usaidhist.html

Name changed Nov. 21, 2008 (73 FR 70716) to Office of Investment Security.

The International Joint Commission is an independent binational organization established by the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909. The International Joint Commission prevents and resolves disputes between the United States of America and Canada under the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty and pursues the common good of both countries as an independent and objective advisor to the two governments. In particular, the Commission rules upon applications for approval of projects affecting boundary or transboundary waters and may regulate the operation of these projects; it assists the two countries in the protection of the transboundary environment, including the implementation of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement and the improvement of transboundary air quality; and it alerts the governments to emerging issues along the boundary that may give rise to bilateral disputes.

The International Organizations Employees Loyalty Board was created by Executive order 10422 of January 9, 1953. The Board consisted of not less than' three impartial officers or employees of the Office of Personnel Management.' The duty of the Board was to review cases referred to it under the provisions of EO 10422, in which the loyalty of U.S. citizens either employed or considered for employment by international organizations that's membership included the United States was in question. The Board in such cases was to make advisory determinations in such cases, under the standards set forth elsewhere in the Executive Order.

The International Trade Administration (ITA) was established on January 2, 1980, by the Secretary of Commerce to promote world trade and to strengthen the international trade and investment position of the United States. ITA is responsible for nonagricultural trade operations of the U.S. Government and supports the trade policy negotiation efforts of the U.S. Trade Representative. ITA strengthens the competitiveness of U.S. industry, promotes trade and investment, and ensures fair trade through the rigorous enforcement of our trade laws and agreements. ITA works to improve the global business environment and helps U.S. organizations compete at home and abroad.

The United States International Trade Commission is an independent agency created by the Revenue Act (39 Stat. 795) and originally named the United States Tariff Commission. The name was changed to the United States International Trade Commission by section 171 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2231). Six Commissioners are appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate for 9-year terms, unless appointed to fill an unexpired term. The Chairman and Vice Chairman are designated by the President for 2-year terms, and succeeding Chairmen may not be of the same political party. The Chairman generally is responsible for the administration of the Commission. Not more than three Commissioners may be members of the same political party (19 U.S.C. 1330). The United States International Trade Commission furnishes studies, reports, and recommendations involving international trade and tariffs to the President, the U.S. Trade Representative, and congressional committees. The Commission also conducts a variety of investigations pertaining to international trade relief.

The ICC, the first regulatory commission in U.S. history, was established as a result of mounting public indignation in the 1880s against railroad malpractices and abuses. The ICC's jurisdiction was gradually extended beyond railroads to all common carriers except airplanes by 1940. Its enforcement powers to set rates were also progressively extended, through statute and broadened Supreme Court interpretations of the commerce clause of the Constitution, as were its investigative powers for determining fair rates of return on which to base rates. In addition, the ICC was given the task of consolidating railroad systems and managing labor disputes in interstate transport. In the 1950s and 60s the ICC enforced U.S. Supreme Court rulings that required the desegregation of passenger terminal facilities. The ICC's safety functions were transferred to the Department of Transportation in 1966. The ICC retained its rate-making and regulatory functions. However, in consonance with the deregulatory movement, the ICC's powers over rates and routes in rails and trucking were curtailed in 1980 by the Staggers Rail Act and Motor Carriers Act. Most ICC control over interstate trucking was abandoned in 1994, and the agency was terminated at the end of 1995. Many of its remaining functions were transferred to the new National Surface Transportation Board.

The Investment Security office is responsible for the implementation of Treasury’s responsibilities as Chair of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States ("CFIUS").​ CFIUS is an interagency committee that can review certain foreign investments in the United States in order to identify and address any effects on U.S. national security that may arise from the transactions. The CFIUS review process, which operates in the context of the United States’ longstanding open investment policy, focuses solely on national security concerns. The Investment Security office also leads Treasury’s open investment initiatives and dialogues with other countries, particularly as they relate to foreign investment review processes, to promote open investment policies and discourage foreign barriers to U.S. investment.