Western Explainers

The Indian Health Service, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides health services to federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native tribes. The agency focuses on school nutrition and exercise programs, education about diabetes and obesity, injury prevention, and treatment for mental health issues and substance abuse. With about 15,000 employees, […]

The Natural Resources Conservation Service provides funding and technical knowledge to help private-property owners, conservation districts and other groups restore and conserve their land. This executive branch agency, overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, administers programs that help with projects such as installing efficient water-delivery systems on ranches and implementing farming practices that improve […]

The U.S. Geological Survey was created in 1879 to map the land and waters of the United States. Part of the Department of the Interior, today it also focuses on conducting scientific research and developing new methods and tools. The USGS gathers data on climate change, groundwater, natural ecosystems, oil, gas and renewable energy and […]

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, part of the Department of Homeland Security since 2003, is responsible for enforcing laws concerning immigration, customs, border control and trade. The agency had a $6 billion budget in 2016, with about 20,000 employees. ICE arrests and deports undocumented immigrants and those considered a threat to public safety, and investigates […]

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which had a budget of $14 billion in 2016, coordinates the country’s response to major disasters and assists in recovery. In the event of a crisis, the governor of an affected state must declare a state of emergency and formally request FEMA’s support and funding. FEMA also handles disaster preparedness, […]

The Government Accountability Office — known as the “congressional watchdog” — is a nonpartisan group responsible for investigating the use of taxpayers’ dollars. GAO investigations can be requested by congressional committees or authorized by public laws or committee reports. The group audits the efficiency of agencies’ spending, provides reports on the success of government programs, […]

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which was established after the Atomic Energy Commission was dissolved in 1974, is an independent federal agency tasked with regulating nuclear materials, radioactive waste, nuclear reactors and nuclear security. The NRC works to protect public health and the environment by overseeing the safe use of radioactive materials. Its duties include writing […]

After the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, 22 existing federal departments and agencies were integrated into the Department of Homeland Security, with a stated mission of preventing terrorism and protecting Americans from various threats. The Cabinet-level department handles a broad range of duties related to public security, including immigration, border security, anti-terrorism, cyber-security and other domestic […]

The Department of Commerce encourages economic growth and job creation. This executive branch department oversees 12 major bureaus, including the U.S. Census Bureau; the National Institute of Standards and Technology, which provides scientific measurement standards; and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which conducts environmental and climate research and manages marine fisheries. The Commerce Department […]

The Congressional Budget Office is a federal agency within the legislative branch that analyzes budget and economic issues. It releases cost estimates and looks at proposed legislation as part of Congress’ annual budgeting process. Its reports include baseline and long-term projections, economic forecasts, and analysis of federal programs and tax rules. The forecasts of the […]

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management manages oil and gas exploration and leasing on 30 million underwater acres — part of the outer continental shelf, under U.S. jurisdiction, where drilling and extraction take place. The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement enforces regulations for offshore oil and gas rigs, oversees oil spill response and conducts […]