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Agencies

Independent agencies, regulatory commissions, government corporations, and boards that sit outside the cabinet departments. · 106 entries

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The Office of the Director of National Intelligence Reorganizing
The head of the intelligence community: 18 agencies, one budget, and the President's Daily Brief
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration
The civilian space agency: human spaceflight, planetary science, Earth observation, and aeronautics research
The United States Postal Service
The self-funded government corporation that delivers to every address in the country six days a week
The Social Security Administration
The agency that pays retirement, survivor, and disability benefits to about 70 million Americans every month
Browse by Subcategory
Independent Agencies
29 entries
Executive agencies that sit outside any cabinet department and report to the President directly.
Regulatory Commissions
22 entries
Multi-member boards that write and enforce rules for markets, communications, energy, safety, and elections.
Government Corporations
10 entries
Federally owned enterprises that run like businesses: the Postal Service, Amtrak, the TVA, and others.
Quasi-Official & GSEs
8 entries
Institutions chartered by Congress but not fully part of the government, from the Smithsonian to Fannie Mae.
Boards & Commissions
14 entries
The small, specialized boards, commissions, and advisory bodies scattered across the federal government.
Former Agencies
23 entries
Agencies that have been abolished, merged, or renamed, and what became of their work.
All Agencies (A–Z) A–Z By date
A B C D E F G I L M N O P R S T U W

A

Administrative Conference of the United States
The small independent agency that studies federal agency procedures and recommends improvements in rulemaking and adjudication
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
The independent federal agency that oversees Section 106 review, the process requiring federal projects to consider their effects on historic places
American Battle Monuments Commission
The independent agency that maintains America's military cemeteries and war memorials overseas, honoring service members who died abroad
AmeriCorps Reorganizing
The federal agency for national service that funds stipended members and senior volunteers working in American communities
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, created in 1971 to take over the intercity passenger trains private railroads wanted to abandon
Appalachian Regional Commission
The federal-state partnership that funds economic development across 13 Appalachian states, from New York to Mississippi
Atomic Energy Commission Dissolved
The civilian commission that controlled U.S. nuclear weapons production and promoted and regulated nuclear power from 1947 until it was split in two in 1975

B

Bureau of the Budget Merged
The agency created in 1921 to prepare a single annual budget for the President, which moved into the White House in 1939 and was reorganized into the Office of Management and Budget in 1970

C

The Central Intelligence Agency
The nation's principal foreign intelligence service: human spying, all-source analysis, and covert action abroad
Civil Aeronautics Board Dissolved
The independent agency that controlled airline fares, routes, and market entry from 1940 until airline deregulation led to its closure in 1985
Civilian Conservation Corps Dissolved
The New Deal program that put about 3 million young men to work planting trees, fighting erosion, and building parks from 1933 to 1942
Commission of Fine Arts
The independent commission that reviews the design of federal buildings, memorials, coins, and medals and guards the appearance of the nation's capital
Commodity Credit Corporation
The government corporation within the Agriculture Department that finances farm price supports, conservation payments, and emergency aid to farmers
Commodity Futures Trading Commission
The independent commission that regulates futures, options, and swaps markets and polices them for fraud and manipulation
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Reorganizing
The agency created after the 2008 financial crisis to regulate mortgages, credit cards, loans, and other consumer financial products
Consumer Product Safety Commission
The independent commission that sets safety standards and orders recalls for thousands of household consumer products
Corporation for Public Broadcasting Reorganizing
The private nonprofit corporation created by Congress to fund public radio and television, which began winding down after Congress rescinded its funding in 2025

D

Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board
The independent board that oversees safety at the Energy Department's nuclear weapons sites and recommends improvements to protect workers and the public
Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Reorganizing
The 2025 White House initiative to cut federal spending, staff, and contracts and modernize government technology
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare Merged
The cabinet department created in 1953 for federal health, education, and social welfare programs, split in 1979 into the Departments of Health and Human Services and Education
Department of War Dissolved
The original cabinet department for the Army, created in 1789 and replaced in 1947 by the Department of the Army within the new national military establishment

E

Election Assistance Commission
The bipartisan independent commission that certifies voting systems, distributes election grants, and maintains the national voter registration form
The Environmental Protection Agency Reorganizing
The regulator of air, water, chemicals, pesticides, and hazardous waste
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
The independent commission that enforces federal laws against job discrimination based on race, sex, religion, national origin, age, and disability
Export-Import Bank of the United States
The federal export credit agency that finances and insures foreign purchases of American goods and services

F

Fannie Mae Reorganizing
The Federal National Mortgage Association, a government-sponsored enterprise that buys home mortgages from lenders and has been in federal conservatorship since 2008
Farm Credit System
The nationwide network of borrower-owned lenders, the oldest government-sponsored enterprise, that provides loans to farmers, ranchers, and rural businesses
Federal Advisory Committees
The roughly one thousand outside expert panels that advise federal agencies, governed by the Federal Advisory Committee Act's rules on openness and balance
The Federal Communications Commission
The regulator of radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable communications and the airwaves they use
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
The independent agency that insures bank deposits up to 250,000 dollars, supervises thousands of banks, and takes over banks that fail
The Federal Election Commission
The agency that enforces federal campaign finance law, built so that neither party can control it
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
The independent commission that regulates interstate electricity transmission, wholesale power markets, natural gas pipelines, and hydropower dams
Federal Home Loan Banks
The eleven regional cooperative banks, created by Congress in 1932, that lend to member banks, credit unions, and insurers to support housing and community lending
Federal Housing Finance Agency
The independent regulator of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks, and conservator of Fannie and Freddie since 2008
Federal Labor Relations Authority
The independent agency that oversees labor relations and union rights for most federal employees
Federal Maritime Commission
The independent commission that regulates ocean shipping in U.S. foreign trade, including carriers, ports, and freight forwarders
Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service Reorganizing
The independent agency that mediates labor contract disputes between employers and unions to prevent or end strikes
Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission
The independent tribunal that decides disputes over mine safety citations, penalties, and miners' discrimination complaints
Federal Prison Industries (UNICOR)
The government corporation within the Bureau of Prisons that employs incarcerated people to make goods and provide services, mostly for federal agencies
Federal Radio Commission Dissolved
The commission created in 1927 to bring order to crowded radio airwaves by licensing stations, which was replaced by the Federal Communications Commission in 1934
The Federal Reserve System
The central bank: it sets interest rates, supervises banks, and acts as lender of last resort
Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board
The independent agency that runs the Thrift Savings Plan, the 401(k)-style retirement savings plan for federal employees and members of the military
Federal Security Agency Merged
The non-cabinet agency that gathered Social Security, public health, education, and food and drug programs from 1939 until it became the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in 1953
The Federal Trade Commission
The agency that enforces antitrust law and protects consumers from fraud, deception, and unfair business practices
Freddie Mac Reorganizing
The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, a government-sponsored enterprise created in 1970 to buy home mortgages, in federal conservatorship since 2008
Freedmen's Bureau Dissolved
The Reconstruction agency that aided formerly enslaved people with food, schools, labor contracts, and legal help in the South from 1865 to 1872

G

The General Services Administration Reorganizing
The government's landlord and purchasing agent: federal buildings, office leases, vehicles, supply contracts, and shared technology
Government-Sponsored Enterprises
Privately owned, federally chartered financial companies created by Congress to steer credit to housing, agriculture, and education

I

Immigration and Naturalization Service Dissolved
The federal agency that admitted immigrants, patrolled the borders, deported noncitizens, and naturalized new citizens until its functions were split up in 2003
Institute of Museum and Library Services Reorganizing
The independent agency that is the main federal funder of the nation's public libraries and museums
Interstate Commerce Commission Dissolved
The nation's first independent regulatory agency, which regulated railroads and later trucking from 1887 until Congress abolished it in 1995

L

Legal Services Corporation
The congressionally created nonprofit that funds civil legal aid for low-income Americans through local legal aid organizations

M

Merit Systems Protection Board
The quasi-judicial independent agency that hears federal employees' appeals of firings and other major personnel actions
Millennium Challenge Corporation Reorganizing
The independent U.S. foreign aid agency that gives large grants to poor countries that meet standards for good governance and economic policy
Minerals Management Service Dissolved
The Interior Department agency that leased offshore oil and gas, regulated drilling, and collected mineral royalties until it was broken up after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster

N

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
The private, nonprofit institutions chartered by Congress to give the nation independent, expert advice on science, engineering, and health
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration
The civilian space agency: human spaceflight, planetary science, Earth observation, and aeronautics research
The National Archives and Records Administration
Keeper of the Constitution and the government's permanent records, publisher of the Federal Register, and steward of presidential records
National Capital Planning Commission
The federal planning agency that reviews federal construction and land use in Washington, D.C., and the surrounding region
National Credit Union Administration
The independent agency that charters and supervises federal credit unions and insures credit union deposits
National Endowment for the Arts
The independent agency that funds arts organizations, state arts agencies, and arts education across the country
National Endowment for the Humanities Reorganizing
The independent agency that funds research, education, preservation, and public programs in history, literature, and philosophy
National Labor Relations Board Reorganizing
The independent agency that runs union elections and enforces private-sector workers' rights to organize and bargain collectively
National Mediation Board
The independent agency that mediates labor disputes and runs union elections in the railroad and airline industries under the Railway Labor Act
The National Science Foundation Reorganizing
The federal funder of basic research in every field of science and engineering except medicine
National Transportation Safety Board
The independent agency that investigates aviation, rail, highway, marine, and pipeline accidents and recommends safety improvements
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission
The safety regulator for civilian nuclear power plants, reactors, and radioactive materials

O

Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission
The independent tribunal that decides employer challenges to workplace safety citations and penalties issued by OSHA
Office of Economic Opportunity Dissolved
The War on Poverty agency in the Executive Office of the President that launched Head Start, Job Corps, VISTA, and community action programs from 1964 to 1975
Office of Government Ethics
The small independent agency that leads the executive branch ethics program, including financial disclosure and conflict of interest rules
The Office of Personnel Management
The federal government's human resources agency: hiring rules, pay, benefits, and retirement for about 2.3 million civilian employees
Office of Strategic Services Dissolved
The World War II intelligence and special operations agency that ran espionage and sabotage behind enemy lines and was the forerunner of the CIA
Office of Technology Assessment Dissolved
The congressional agency that gave lawmakers nonpartisan analysis of science and technology from 1972 until Congress defunded it in 1995
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence Reorganizing
The head of the intelligence community: 18 agencies, one budget, and the President's Daily Brief

P

Peace Corps
The independent agency that sends American volunteers to live and work in communities abroad
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
The federal corporation that insures private-sector traditional pensions and pays benefits when plans fail
Post Office Department Dissolved
The cabinet department that ran the mail for nearly two centuries, from Benjamin Franklin's appointment in 1775 until it became the self-supporting U.S. Postal Service in 1971
Postal Regulatory Commission
The independent commission that oversees U.S. Postal Service prices, service standards, and compliance with federal postal law
Presidential and National Commissions
Temporary bodies created by presidents or Congress to investigate a crisis or recommend policy, from the Warren Commission to the 9/11 Commission
Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board Reorganizing
The independent, bipartisan board that reviews federal counterterrorism programs to ensure they protect privacy and civil liberties

R

Railroad Retirement Board
The independent agency in Chicago that pays retirement, disability, survivor, and unemployment benefits to railroad workers in place of Social Security

S

The Securities and Exchange Commission
The regulator of stock markets, public companies, investment funds, and the disclosures investors rely on
Selective Service System
The independent agency that keeps a registry of young men who could be drafted into military service in a national emergency
The Small Business Administration
Loan guarantees, disaster loans, and federal contracting preferences for the country's 34 million small businesses
Smithsonian Institution
The trust instrumentality created by Congress from a British scientist's bequest that runs the national museums, the National Zoo, and research centers
The Social Security Administration
The agency that pays retirement, survivor, and disability benefits to about 70 million Americans every month
Surface Transportation Board
The independent board that regulates freight railroad rates, service, and mergers, successor to the Interstate Commerce Commission

T

The Tennessee Valley Authority
The largest public power provider in the country, created by the New Deal to remake an impoverished river valley

U

U.S. Access Board
The independent federal agency that writes accessibility standards for buildings, transportation, and technology under the ADA and related laws
U.S. Agency for Global Media Reorganizing
The independent agency that oversees Voice of America and other government-funded international broadcasters
U.S. Agency for International Development Merged
The federal agency that ran most U.S. foreign aid for more than six decades until the administration moved its remaining functions into the State Department in 2025
U.S. Bureau of Mines Dissolved
The Interior Department research agency, created after deadly mine disasters, that studied mine safety, mineral resources, and helium from 1910 until Congress closed it in 1996
U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board
The small independent agency that investigates industrial chemical accidents and recommends ways to prevent them
U.S. Civil Service Commission Dissolved
The bipartisan commission created in 1883 to replace patronage with merit hiring in federal jobs, which ran the civil service until 1978
U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
The bipartisan independent commission that investigates and reports on civil rights conditions and federal enforcement
U.S. Customs Service Merged
The Treasury agency that collected tariffs on imports from 1789, long the federal government's main source of revenue, until it was merged into Homeland Security in 2003
U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
The national memorial and museum to the Holocaust on the National Mall, a public-private institution governed by a presidentially appointed council
U.S. Information Agency Merged
The Cold War public diplomacy agency that ran Voice of America, American libraries abroad, and exchanges such as the Fulbright Program from 1953 to 1999
U.S. Institute of Peace Reorganizing
The independent, congressionally funded institute for conflict prevention and resolution, whose 2025 takeover by the administration became a major legal fight
U.S. International Development Finance Corporation
The federal development bank that lends to and invests in private projects in developing countries
U.S. International Trade Commission
The independent, nonpartisan commission that decides whether imports injure U.S. industries, blocks infringing imports, and maintains the tariff schedule
U.S. Office of Special Counsel
The independent agency that protects federal employees and whistleblowers and enforces the Hatch Act
U.S. Trade and Development Agency
The small independent agency that funds early planning for infrastructure projects abroad that could use American goods and services
The United States Postal Service
The self-funded government corporation that delivers to every address in the country six days a week

W

War Production Board Dissolved
The World War II agency that directed the conversion of American industry to war production and allocated scarce materials from 1942 to 1945
Works Progress Administration Dissolved
The largest New Deal jobs program, which employed millions of Americans to build roads, schools, and parks and fund art and writing from 1935 to 1943