Beyond the Cabinet, hundreds of independent agencies perform specialized tasks that keep the country running smoothly. All the agencies in the government are identified by Federal Identification Codes. Here are some of independent agencies you may or may not be familiar with.
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) –
Protects human health and the environment by enforcing regulations and advancing sustainable practices. - Federal Communications Commission (FCC) –
Regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable. - Federal Trade Commission (FTC) –
Promotes consumer protection and eliminates harmful anti-competitive business practices. - Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) –
Oversees securities markets to protect investors and maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets. - Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) –
Protects the public from unreasonable risks of injury from consumer products. - Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) –
Regulates the U.S. derivatives markets, including futures, swaps, and certain kinds of options. - Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) –
Regulates interstate transmission of electricity, natural gas, and oil. - National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) –
Leads America’s civilian space exploration, scientific discovery, and aeronautics research. - National Science Foundation (NSF) –
Supports fundamental research and education in all non-medical fields of science and engineering. - Office of Personnel Management (OPM) –
Manages the federal workforce, oversees hiring policies, and ensures merit-based employment practices. - General Services Administration (GSA) –
Delivers value and efficiency to federal agencies through procurement, property management, and technology services. - National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) –
Preserves and documents government and historical records while ensuring public access to them. - Federal Reserve System –
Serves as the central bank of the United States, conducting monetary policy and regulating financial institutions. - Export-Import Bank –
Supports U.S. exports by providing financing and insurance to American businesses. - U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) –
Provides trade expertise to the government and determines the impact of imports on U.S. industries. - Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) –
Protects depositors by insuring bank deposits and supervising financial institutions for safety and soundness. - U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) –
Provides financing for development projects that advance U.S. foreign policy and economic interests. - Social Security Administration (SSA) –
Administers the nation’s social insurance programs, including retirement, disability, and survivors’ benefits. - Small Business Administration (SBA) –
Supports entrepreneurs and small businesses through loans, contracts, and counseling programs. - U.S. Postal Service (USPS) –
Provides reliable, affordable mail delivery and postal services to the nation. - Peace Corps –
Sends American volunteers abroad to promote peace, friendship, and sustainable development. - National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) –
Protects workers’ rights to organize and promotes collective bargaining and fair labor practices. - Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) –
Enforces federal laws that prohibit workplace discrimination. - Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) –
Ensures the safe use of radioactive materials for beneficial civilian purposes while protecting people and the environment. - Federal Election Commission (FEC) –
Oversees and enforces campaign finance laws in federal elections. - National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) –
Investigates civil transportation accidents and promotes safety improvements across all modes of travel. - Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) –
Safeguards the federal merit system and protects employees from prohibited personnel practices. - Postal Regulatory Commission –
Regulates the U.S. Postal Service to ensure transparency, accountability, and service quality.