A-Z index of U.S. government departments and agencies

The AbilityOne Commission creates job opportunities for people who are blind or have other significant disabilities in the manufacture and delivery of products and services to the Federal Government.

The Access Board is an independent federal agency devoted to accessibility for people with disabilities. The Board develops and maintains design criteria for the built environment, transit vehicles, telecommunications equipment, and for electronic and information technology.

The U.S. Africa Command strengthens the defense capabilities of African nations.

The U.S. Agency for Global Media, formerly known as the Broadcasting Board of Governors, broadcasts news and information about the United States and the world to audiences abroad.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is the principal U.S. agency to extend assistance to countries recovering from disaster, trying to escape poverty, and engaging in democratic reforms.

The Air Force defends the United States in the air and space.

The Air Force Reserve Command performs missions and supports Air Force operations.

The U.S. Arctic Research Commission (USARC) develops and recommends a national Arctic research policy.

The U.S. Army organizes, trains, and equips active duty and Reserve forces to preserve the peace, security, and defense of the United States.

The Army Corps of Engineers provides public engineering services in peace and war to strengthen national security, energize the economy, and reduce risks from disasters.

The Botanic Garden is a living plant museum that educates visitors about the importance of plants to the well-being of humans, and to Earth’s fragile ecosystems.

U.S. Capitol Police Officers work to protect life and property, investigate criminal acts, and enforce traffic regulations on U.S. Capitol Grounds. Officers are also responsible for protecting members, officers of Congress, and their families.

Take a tour of the historic Capitol, where you can see the Crypt of the Capitol, the Rotunda, and National Statuary Hall.

The U.S. Census Bureau provides data about the nation's people and economy.

The U.S Central Command (CENTCOM) is responsible for defending and promoting U.S. interests in 20 nations in the Middle East, Central and South Asia, and the strategic waterways that surround them.

The Chemical Safety Board (CSB) investigates industrial chemical accidents.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is responsible for processing immigration and naturalization applications and establishing policies regarding immigration services.

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) safeguards the maritime interests of the United States and the environment around the world.

The U. S. Commission of Fine Arts advises the government on matters pertaining to the arts, and to guide the architectural development of Washington.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) reviews the facts and circumstances of violations of religious freedom internationally and to make policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and Congress.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) protects the public from fraud, manipulation, and abusive practices related to the sale of commodity and financial futures and options, and to fosters open, competitive, and financially sound futures and option markets. They investigate and prosecute commodities fraud, including foreign currency schemes, energy manipulation and hedge fund fraud, and works with other federal and state agencies to bring criminal and other actions.

The Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims hears appeals of decisions made by the Board of Veterans Appeals. You must have a decision from the Board of Veterans Appeals to bring a case before this court.

The U.S. Courts of Appeal hear appeals from lower courts of both civil and criminal trials, but do not investigate the facts of a case. Rather, the Appeals Courts investigate whether or not the law has been fairly and correctly applied by the lower courts.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) prevents people from entering the country illegally or bringing anything harmful or illegal into the United States.

The U.S. Cyber Command coordinates cyberspace operations to defend U.S. interests.

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, and related issues.

The Department of Commerce (DOC) works with businesses, universities, communities, and the Nation’s workers to promote job creation, economic growth, sustainable development, and improved standards of living for Americans.

The Department of Defense (DOD) provides the military forces needed to deter war, and to protect the security of the United States.

The Department of Education (ED) fosters educational excellence and ensures equal access to educational opportunity for all.

The Department of Energy (DOE) manages the United States' nuclear infrastructure and administers the country's energy policy. The Department of Energy also funds scientific research in the field.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) protects the health of all Americans and provides essential human services.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) works to improve the security of the United States. The Department's work includes customs, border, and immigration enforcement, emergency response to natural and manmade disasters, antiterrorism work, and cybersecurity.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administers programs that provide housing and community development assistance. The Department also works to ensure fair and equal housing opportunity for all.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) enforces federal laws, seeks just punishment for the guilty, and ensures the fair and impartial administration of justice.

The Department of Labor (DOL) administers federal labor laws to guarantee workers' rights to fair, safe, and healthy working conditions, including minimum hourly wage and overtime pay, protection against employment discrimination, and unemployment insurance.

The Department of State (DOS) advises the President and leads the nation in foreign policy issues. The State Department negotiates treaties and agreements with foreign entities and represents the United States at the United Nations.

The Department of the Interior (DOI) manages public lands and minerals, national parks, and wildlife refuges and upholds Federal trust responsibilities to Indian tribes and Native Alaskans. Additionally, Interior is responsible for endangered species conservation and other environmental conservation efforts.

The Department of the Treasury manages federal finances by collecting taxes and paying bills and by managing currency, government accounts and public debt. The Department of the Treasury also enforces finance and tax laws.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is responsible for planning and coordinating federal transportation projects. It also sets safety regulations for all major modes of transportation.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) runs programs benefiting veterans and members of their families. It offers education opportunities and rehabilitation services and provides compensation payments for disabilities or death related to military service, home loan guaranties, pensions, burials, and health care that includes the services of nursing homes, clinics, and medical centers.

The Election Assistance Commission (EAC) supports state and local election officials in their efforts to ensure accessible, accurate. and secure elections. EAC develops guidance to meet the Help America Vote Act requirements, adopts voluntary voting system guidelines, and serves as a national clearinghouse of information on election administration. EAC also accredits testing laboratories and certifies voting systems, as well as audits the use of Help America Vote Act funds.

The European Command (USEUCOM) works with partner nations to address regional issues, and keep the peace in Europe, parts of the Middle East, and Eurasia.

The United States Fire Administration (USFA), part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, works to prepare for, prevent, respond to all hazards.

U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFFC) organizes, staffs, trains, maintains, and equips Navy forces, and develops fleet readiness.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is the nation's largest water, earth, and biological science and civilian mapping agency. It collects, monitors, analyzes, and provides scientific understanding of natural resource conditions, issues, and problems.

The U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate make up the two chambers of Congress. The House has 435 members, the number representing each state is determined by population.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) enforces federal laws governing border control, customs, trade, and immigration.

The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) is responsible for defending and promoting U.S. interests in the Pacific and Asia.

The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is America’s development bank. DFC partners with the private sector to finance solutions to the most critical challenges facing the developing world.

The International Trade Commission (USITC) investigates whether or not, and to what extent, an unfair trade practice harms U.S. businesses. When unfair trade practices are found to harm U.S. businesses, the Commission may implement corrective measures. The Commission also provides the President and Congress impartial information on international trade to inform trade policy.

The Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for delivering task forces on land, at sea, and in the air.

The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) provides security to the federal judiciary and manages the witness security program. It manages and sells seized or forfeited assets of criminals, is responsible for the confinement and transportation of federal prisoners who have not been turned over to the Bureau of Prisons and is the primary federal agency responsible for fugitive investigations.

The U.S. Military Academy at West Point provides higher education and training for Army cadets. Graduates go on to become commissioned officers in the U.S. Army.

The U.S. Mint makes the coins used as money the United States. They also produce special edition coins you can buy for coin collections.

The U.S. Mission to the United Nations (USUN) carries out the nation's participation in the world body.

Interpol Washington, the U.S. National Central Bureau, coordinates law enforcement activities between U.S. agencies and their international counterparts.

The Navy's primary mission is to defend the United States.

The U.S Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) is responsible for defending the continental United States and Alaska, and for coordinating with the defenses of Canada, Mexico, and the Bahamas.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regulates commercial nuclear power plants, and other uses of nuclear materials.

The U.S. Parole Commission considers prisoners' applications for parole, deciding whether or not a prisoner has earned a chance to reintegrate into the community.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is the agency responsible for granting U.S. patents and registering trademarks.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service supports and protects the U.S. Postal Service and its customers by enforcing the laws that defend the nation’s mail system from illegal or dangerous use.

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) provides mail processing and delivery services to individuals and businesses in the U.S.

The U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives make up the two chambers of Congress. The Senate has 100 members, two from each state, who are elected to serve for a term of six years.

The U.S. Sentencing Commission studies and develops sentencing policies for the federal courts. The Commission serves as an information resource for Congress, the executive, the courts and the public on matters relating to federal crime and sentencing as well.

The U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) is responsible for security cooperation and operations in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.

The U.S. Space Command supports U.S. interests in space.

The U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) oversees the special operations capabilities of the various military branches, coordinates their training, strategy, interoperability and operations.

The U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) detects and deters attacks against the U.S. and its allies. Their mission includes nuclear deterrence, space, and cyberspace capabilities.

The United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project planning activities, pilot projects, and reverse trade missions.

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) negotiates with foreign governments to craft trade agreements and resolve disputes.

The U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) provides transportation services and capabilities to the other combatant commands, the military services, and defense agencies.

The U.S. Trustee Program protects the integrity of the Federal bankruptcy system. The Program monitors the conduct of bankruptcy parties and private estate trustees. It also identifies and helps investigate bankruptcy fraud and abuse.

The Udall Foundation provides programs and services focused on the environment and Native nations to individuals, communities, and institutions across the U.S. It provides education, capacity-building, policy research, and training programs, as well as collaboration support including facilitation and mediation services.

The Department of State Undersecretary for Political Affairs manages overall regional and bilateral policy issues, and oversees the bureaus for Africa, East Asia and the Pacific, Europe and Eurasia, the Near East, South and Central Asia, the Western Hemisphere, and International Organizations.

The Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs enhances national security by expanding and strengthening the relationship between the people and Government of the United States and citizens of the rest of the world.

The Unified Combatant Commands promote effective and efficient cooperation between the uniformed services.

The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) is comprised of a School of Medicine and a School of Nursing, providing higher health sciences education and training to service members.

The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) promotes research, policy analysis, education, and training on international peace and conflict resolution in an effort to prevent and resolve violent conflicts, and to promote post-conflict stability.

The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) works in partnership with every level of government and the private sector to reduce and end homelessness in the nation.