Government Explained

What is the Department of Transportation?

The Department of Transportation ensures the equitable and safe transport of goods and people along our roads, railways, skies, waterways and airspace. So, why did it take so long to come into existence?

What is the Department of the Interior?

Many government departments have a focused mission, but the Department of the Interior is known as the “Department of Everything Else.” So what are its responsibilities and how does it keep our country in check?

What is the National Archives and Records Administration?

The National Archives and Records Administration is an independent federal agency dedicated to the preservation of historic government records. With storage facilities across the United States, NARA’s contents give us an insight into our country’s history.

What Are Congressional Investigations?

Congressional Investigations have uncovered some serious wrongdoing over the past 200 years. But where does Congress get the power to conduct investigations and how has it used that power throughout U.S. history?

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

The top ranking officer of the US federal judiciary, the Chief Justice presides over the US Supreme Court. But how did the role come into being and what are his or her roles and responsibilities?

The Presidential Veto

One of the most powerful tools the President of the United States has is the veto – but what is it and how has it evolved over time?

The Attorney General

The top legal officer in the country, the Attorney General advises the US government on legal matters, including the President. But how did the role come about and what are his or her responsibilities?

The Joint Chiefs of Staff

When the going gets tough, the president calls on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, an advisory council to help make important military decisions.

The FBI Explained

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is a fact-finding, crime-fighting national security machine. But how did it come about – and what do FBI agents actually do?

Amending the Constitution

The U.S. Constitution has been amended 27 times in its history, but what did they change, and how?