List of federal agencies in the United States


Legislative definitions of a federal agency are varied, and even contradictory, and the official United States Government Manual offers no definition. While the Administrative Procedure Act definition of "agency" applies to most executive branch agencies, Congress may define an agency however it chooses in enabling legislation, and subsequent litigation, often involving the Freedom of Information Act and the Government in the Sunshine Act. These further cloud attempts to enumerate a list of agencies.
The executive branch of the federal government includes the Executive Office of the President and the United States federal executive departments. Employees of the majority of these agencies are considered civil servants.
The majority of the independent agencies of the United States government are also classified as executive agencies. There are a small number of independent agencies that are not considered part of the executive branch, such as the Library of Congress and Congressional Budget Office, administered directly by Congress and thus are legislative branch agencies.

United States Congress

The U.S. Congress is the bicameral legislature of the United States government, and is made up of two chambers: United States Senate, and United States House of Representatives. Together, the two chambers exercise authority over the following legislative agencies:
Congress also maintains special administrative agencies like:
The legislature is also in charge of the Library of Congress. A national library dedicated to national records and administers various programs, agencies, and services including:
Agencies within the judicial branch:
The President of the United States is the chief executive of the Federal Government. He is in charge of executing federal laws and approving, or vetoing, new legislation passed by Congress. The President resides in the Executive Residence maintained by the Office of Administration.
To effectively run the country's affairs, the President also maintains councils regarding various issues, including:

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Office of the Secretary of Agriculture">United States Secretary of Agriculture">Office of the Secretary of Agriculture

Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC)

Office of the Secretary">United States Secretary of Commerce">Office of the Secretary (OS)

[Office of the Secretary of Defense] (OSD)

Defense Agencies
National Intelligence Agencies
Defense Field Activities

Universities and Research Institutes

Unified Combatant Commands

Department of the Army">United States Department of the Army">Department of the Army

Office of the Secretary of the Army">United States Secretary of the Army">Office of the Secretary of the Army

U.S. Army Commands

U.S. Army Direct Reporting Units

U.S. Army Field Operating Agencies

Department of the Navy">United States Department of the Navy">Department of the Navy

Office of the Secretary of the Navy">United States Secretary of the Navy">Office of the Secretary of the Navy

U..S. Navy Functional Operating Forces

Shore Establishment and Activities, Echelon II
U.S. Navy Field Support Activities

[United States Marine Corps] (USMC)

Department of the Air Force">United States Department of the Air Force">Department of the Air Force

Office of the Secretary of the Air Force">United States Secretary of the Air Force">Office of the Secretary of the Air Force
U.S. Air Force Major Commands
Reserve and Auxiliary Components
Direct Reporting Units
Field Operating Agencies

United States Department of Education

Office of the Secretary of Education">United States Secretary of Education">Office of the Secretary of Education (OSE)

Office of Deputy Secretary of Education">Deputy Secretary of Education">Office of Deputy Secretary of Education (ODSE)

Office of the Under Secretary">Under Secretary of Education">Office of the Under Secretary (OUS)

White House Initiatives and Operating Commissions

Advisory Bodies

Federally-Aided Corporations

United States Department of Energy

Office of the Secretary">United States Secretary of Labor">Office of the Secretary (OSEC)

Offices under the Deputy Secretary of Labor
Administrations

United States Department of Veterans Affairs

Office of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs">United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs">Office of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs

V.A. Agencies

Independent agencies and government-owned corporations

Established under United States Constitution Article I, Section 4

Elections

Administrative agencies

Defense and security agencies

Civil rights agencies

Arts & cultural agencies