Independent agencies of the United States federal government

Independent agencies are special groups that work for the United States federal government. They are not part of the main government departments led by Cabinet secretaries or the Executive Office of the President.

These agencies are part of the executive branch, but they have special powers to make rules and regulations. They are set up this way so the president cannot easily change who leads them or their decisions.

These agencies are created by laws passed by Congress. Each law tells the agency what its goals should be and what areas it can create rules about. When these agencies make rules, those rules have the same force as laws made by the federal government. This helps these agencies focus on their tasks without being influenced by changes in the president's office.

Executive and regulatory agencies

Independent agencies are special parts of the U.S. government. They are not inside the main departments led by Cabinet secretaries or the President’s office. Some of these agencies are called regulatory agencies. They have special jobs to make rules. Examples include the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Reserve, and the Environmental Protection Agency.

The leaders of these agencies can only be removed for specific reasons. This is different from leaders of other agencies who can be replaced at any time by the President.

These agencies often have boards or commissions with several members, not just one leader. The President appoints these members with approval from the Senate. They serve long terms so that different presidents might appoint them. This helps keep the agencies balanced between different political views.

Examples of independent agencies

These agencies are not part of the President's cabinet or the Executive Office of the President:

• The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) collects information about other countries and gives national security reports to leaders in the United States. It is a main part of the group of intelligence agencies led by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI).
• The Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) looks into accidents and safety issues in factories and chemical plants.
• The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) oversees markets for goods like oil and crops. It makes sure trading is fair and helps people manage risks.
• The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) protects people who use financial services like banks and loans.
• The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) makes sure products people use are safe.
• The Election Assistance Commission (EAC) helps states with voting systems and provides information about voting.
• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) works to keep the air, water, and land clean. It sets rules to protect the environment and manages programs to clean up polluted areas.
• The Export–Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) helps support trade by providing financing for the sale of U.S. goods and services overseas.
• The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) oversees radio, television, and other communications. It makes sure stations follow rules and that prices are fair.
• The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) protects money that people keep in banks.
• The Federal Election Commission (FEC) oversees rules for campaigns and reports about money used in elections.
• The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regulates electricity and natural gas across state lines. It also oversees some water power projects.
• The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) oversees organizations that help people buy homes.
• The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) regulates shipping between countries to make sure it is fair and efficient.
• The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) helps solve disagreements between workers and employers.

• The Federal Reserve System (often called "the Fed") is the country's central bank. It helps control money and credit and looks after the banking system.
• The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (FRTIB) helps federal employees save for retirement through a special savings plan.
• The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) makes sure businesses follow fair rules and protect customers from unfair practices.
• The General Services Administration (GSA) buys and manages things the government needs, like buildings and equipment. It also helps with workplaces for federal workers.
• The International Trade Commission (ITC) gives advice about trade and makes sure trade rules are followed.
• The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is the government agency that explores space and studies flight.
• The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) keeps important historical records, including the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
• The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) looks after credit unions, which are like small banks.
• The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) makes sure workers have the right to join unions and that employers treat workers fairly.
• The National Science Foundation (NSF) supports research and education in science and engineering.
• The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigates accidents in aviation, cars, ships, pipelines, and trains to make travel safer.
• The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) makes sure nuclear power plants and materials are used safely.
• The Office of Special Counsel (OSC) protects workers who report problems in the government and makes sure government workers can take part in politics fairly.
• The Peace Corps helps people in other countries by sending workers to teach, improve health, and support communities.
• The Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) oversees the work of the United States Postal Service to make sure it follows rules.
• The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) protects people who invest money by making sure companies give correct information.
• The Selective Service System (SSS) gets ready to help the military find people to serve if needed.
• The Small Business Administration (SBA) helps small businesses by giving advice, loans, and support.
• The Social Security Administration (SSA) manages programs that give money to older people and people who are unable to work.
• The Surface Transportation Board (STB) helps solve problems between railroad companies and looks at plans to combine railroads.
• The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) works to bring jobs and better living to a part of the country that needed help.
• The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) helps people in other countries with development and support.
• The United States Office of Personnel Management (OPM) manages workers for the federal government and provides benefits like health care and retirement.

• The United States Postal Service (USPS) collects, moves, and delivers mail across the country and around the world.
• The United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) helps support economic growth and U.S. business interests in countries that are still developing.

Former agencies

• The Committee on Public Information was created to share information about the United States during World War I.
• The Interstate Commerce Commission made rules about transportation between states before it was replaced by another agency.
• The United States Maritime Commission helped build ships for trade before its work was moved to another part of the government.
• The Reconstruction Finance Corporation helped with projects during difficult economic times before it was closed down.
• The Atomic Energy Commission was replaced by two new agencies in 1974: the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Energy Research and Development Administration.
• The Office of the United States Nuclear Waste Negotiator was closed in 1995.
• The United States Information Agency was combined with another government department in 1999.

Agencies outside of executive branch

Some special groups in the United States government work outside the main parts of the government. Even though they are not officially part of it, they must share information about what they do in the Federal Register, a daily journal of government activities.

These groups include Fannie Mae, also called the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA), and Freddie Mac, also called the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC). Other examples are the National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian Institution (SI). The Smithsonian was created by Congress in 1846. It does research, shares its findings, and organizes exhibits about art, science, history, and culture from around the world. It also works on education and research projects with others in the United States and internationally. Many famous museums in Washington, D.C., belong to the Smithsonian.

Proposed independent agencies

Some people have ideas for new independent agencies to help with important tasks. One idea is a Federal Elections Agency, suggested by Lee Drutman of New America. This agency would combine the work of the Federal Election Commission and the Election Assistance Commission. It would focus on stopping interference in elections and collecting election information.

Another idea is the Weather Modification Operations and Research Board, proposed by Kay Bailey Hutchison. This board would support studies on changing the weather. There is also a proposal by Lisa Murkowski for a Nuclear Waste Administration. This agency would handle the safe, permanent storage of used nuclear fuel and radioactive waste.