THE CABINET
The tradition of the Cabinet dates back to the beginnings of the Presidency itself. Established in Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution, the Cabinet's role is to advise the President on any subject he may require relating to the duties of each member's respective office.
The Cabinet includes the Vice President and the heads of 15 executive departments — the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs, as well as the Attorney General.
In order of succession to the Presidency:
Department of State
Secretary-designate: Hillary R. Clinton
Department of the Treasury
Secretary-designate: Timothy F. Geithner
Department of Defense
Secretary: Robert M. Gates
Department of Justice
Attorney General-designate: Eric H. Holder
Department of the Interior
Secretary-designate: Ken L. Salazar
Department of Agriculture
Secretary-designate: Tom J. Vilsack
Department of Labor
Secretary-designate: Hilda L. Solis
Department of Health and Human Services
Secretary-designate: Tom A. Daschle
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Secretary-designate: Shaun Donovan
Department of Transportation
Secretary-designate: Ray H. LaHood
Department of Energy
Secretary-designate: Steven Chu
Department of Education
Secretary-designate: Arne Duncan
Department of Veterans Affairs
Secretary-designate: Eric K. Shinseki
Department of Homeland Security
Secretary-designate: Janet Napolitano
