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Departments & agencies

Department of State

DOS DepartmentsAt-will removal
At a glance
Type
Cabinet departments
Removal of leadership
Removable at will
Appointed by
Secretary appointed by the President, confirmed by the Senate
Structure
Single Secretary of State
Term
No fixed term
Funding
Annual appropriations
Independence
Direct presidential control
What it does

The Department of State is the lead U.S. agency for foreign affairs, conducting diplomacy with other governments and international organizations and representing American interests abroad. It runs U.S. embassies and consulates, negotiates treaties and agreements, issues passports and visas, and advises the President on foreign policy. It is headed by the Secretary of State, a Cabinet member who serves at the President's pleasure.

SecurityTrade
How it fits
U.S. ConstitutionAct of July 27, 1789 (establishing the Department of Foreign Affairs, renamed Department of State by Act of Sept. 15, 1789); central organization governed by the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (1789)DOSRules & actions

Created by Congress under the Act of July 27, 1789 (establishing the Department of Foreign Affairs, renamed Department of State by Act of Sept. 15, 1789); central organization governed by the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651 et seq.), it acts within the authority that statute grants. Its actions are subject to judicial review and to congressional oversight and funding.

Recent actions

60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Media Inquiry SystemOctober 5, 2026
State Department
Delegation of Authority by the Secretary of State to the Official Performing the Duties of the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International DevelopmentOctober 2, 2026
State Department
Notice of Determinations; Culturally Significant Objects Being Imported for Exhibition-Determinations: Exhibition of “Four Norwegian Bridal Crowns”October 2, 2026
State Department
Notice of Determinations; Culturally Significant Objects Being Imported for Exhibition-Determinations: “Auschwitz. Not Long Ago. Not Far Away.” ExhibitionOctober 2, 2026
State Department
International Traffic in Arms Regulations: Syria Country Policy RevisionOctober 1, 2026
State Department
International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR): Review of the U.S. Munitions List and Related Definitions and License ExemptionsOctober 1, 2026
State Department
Notice of Determinations; Culturally Significant Objects Being Imported for Exhibition-Determinations: “Fantasy and Reality: The Art of Johan Tobias Sergel” ExhibitionSeptember 30, 2026
State Department
Notice of Determinations; Culturally Significant Object Being Imported for Exhibition-Determinations: “Making History: Manet's `Execution of Maximilian' From the National Gallery, London” ExhibitionSeptember 30, 2026
State Department
View all actions on the Federal Register