The Most Powerful Federal Agencies in the United States: Structure, Authority, and Legal Powers

Federal agencies are among the most important institutions in the American legal system. They administer federal statutes, enforce laws, issue regulations, conduct investigations, distribute benefits, supervise regulated industries, impose civil penalties, and make decisions that can directly affect individuals, businesses, and state governments.

But the phrase “most powerful federal agencies” is not a formal legal classification. Federal law does not create a hierarchy ranking agencies according to their power. An agency’s practical influence depends instead on the scope of the statutes Congress has assigned to it, the resources available to it, the size of the population or industries it regulates, the enforcement mechanisms at its disposal, and the degree of discretion Congress and the President have given it.

Understanding federal agency power therefore requires understanding the broader structure of U.S. administrative law.

The federal government contains executive departments, independent agencies, regulatory commissions, administrations, boards, bureaus, and other governmental entities. Federal law itself uses the term “agency” broadly. Under 18 U.S.C. § 6, for example, the term may encompass a department, independent establishment, commission, administration, authority, board, bureau, or certain government corporations.

The federal executive branch includes the President and Vice President, the Cabinet, the executive departments, independent agencies, and numerous boards, commissions, and other governmental bodies.

This article examines some of the federal institutions that exercise particularly significant governmental authority and explains what gives that authority its legal force, what each institution actually does, and what limits exist on its power.

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1. What Is a Federal Agency?

Before discussing individual agencies, it is important to understand what the term means.

In ordinary language, a federal agency may mean almost any federal governmental organization. In federal law, however, the concept is broader and more technical.

Federal agencies can include:

• executive departments;
• independent establishments;
• regulatory commissions;
• administrations;
• boards;
• authorities;
• bureaus;
• government corporations;
• and other federal governmental entities.

An executive department such as the Department of Justice is therefore different organizationally from an independent regulatory commission such as the Federal Trade Commission, even though both may be described generally as federal agencies.

The distinction matters because the source and structure of governmental authority differ from one institution to another.

Congress creates federal institutions and defines their statutory responsibilities. An agency may then receive authority to administer a statute, investigate violations, issue regulations, adjudicate certain matters, provide benefits, or enforce federal requirements.

Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute explains that administrative agencies exist because Congress cannot itself administer and enforce every federal statute. Agencies therefore perform a large part of the practical work of implementing federal law.

A useful starting point for understanding this field is Cornell’s explanation of administrative law, which provides an overview of the legal principles governing federal agencies.

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2. Why Are Some Federal Agencies Particularly Powerful?

An agency’s practical power generally comes from several overlapping sources.

Statutory authority

Congress creates legal authority through statutes. An agency cannot simply assume powers because those powers would be useful. Its authority must ordinarily be grounded in federal law.

Rulemaking authority

Some agencies have authority to promulgate regulations implementing statutes. Regulations can establish detailed legal requirements for individuals, companies, and governmental entities.

Enforcement authority

Some agencies can investigate suspected violations, issue administrative orders, impose civil penalties, seek injunctions, refer matters for criminal prosecution, or take other enforcement actions.

Adjudicatory authority

Certain agencies can conduct administrative proceedings and issue decisions concerning matters within their statutory jurisdiction.

Economic resources

An agency with a large budget, substantial personnel, specialized expertise, and nationwide jurisdiction can have considerable practical influence.

Scope of jurisdiction

An agency regulating an entire national industry or a large category of governmental activity can affect millions of people.

Access to specialized expertise

Agencies frequently possess technical and scientific expertise that Congress and courts may not have available to the same degree.

For these reasons, “power” should not be understood merely as the ability to punish someone. Regulatory jurisdiction, rulemaking authority, investigative authority, spending authority, licensing authority, and administrative decision-making can all produce substantial governmental influence.

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3. The Department of Justice (DOJ)

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is one of the central institutions of federal law enforcement and federal litigation.

The Attorney General heads the Department of Justice and serves as the chief federal law-enforcement officer.

The DOJ’s responsibilities include:

• enforcing federal criminal laws;
• prosecuting federal crimes;
• representing the United States in federal litigation;
• enforcing federal civil laws;
• protecting certain federal interests in court;
• supervising federal prosecutors;
• conducting certain national-security and law-enforcement activities;
• and administering various federal law-enforcement programs.

The DOJ is not simply another regulatory agency. Its distinctive importance comes from its role in federal prosecution and litigation.

The Department contains numerous components, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Civil Division, the Criminal Division, the Antitrust Division, and the Civil Rights Division.

The DOJ therefore illustrates an important principle: a major federal department may contain numerous specialized agencies and bureaus beneath it.

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4. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is a component of the Department of Justice rather than a separate Cabinet department.

Its responsibilities include investigating violations of federal criminal law and conducting investigations involving national security.

Among the areas associated with FBI investigations are:

• terrorism;
• espionage;
• cybercrime;
• organized crime;
• public corruption;
• civil rights violations;
• major financial crimes;
• interstate criminal activity;
• and other federal offenses.

The FBI’s investigative authority does not mean that it possesses unlimited police power.

Federal investigations remain subject to the Constitution, federal statutes, judicial warrants where required, evidentiary rules, privacy protections, and other legal constraints.

This distinction is important when discussing federal power: investigative authority is not equivalent to unrestricted governmental authority.

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5. The Department of Defense (DoD)

The Department of Defense (DoD) is the principal federal department responsible for national defense and the organization and administration of the nation’s military establishment.

It is headed by the Secretary of Defense, who is appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate.

The Department oversees the military departments and plays a central role in national defense policy and military administration.

Its legal authority is deeply connected to the Constitution and extensive federal legislation, including statutes governing the armed forces and national defense.

The Department’s significance derives primarily from its enormous institutional responsibility, military resources, and national-security role.

At the same time, the armed forces remain subject to constitutional and statutory limitations. The Constitution divides war-related powers between Congress and the President, creating an important system of checks and balances.

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6. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was created to consolidate numerous federal functions relating to homeland security.

Its components include agencies and offices responsible for areas such as:

• border security;
• immigration enforcement;
• transportation security;
• emergency management;
• cybersecurity;
• protection of critical infrastructure;
• and other homeland-security functions.

Among its major components are:

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection;
• Immigration and Customs Enforcement;
• the Transportation Security Administration;
• the Federal Emergency Management Agency;
• the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency;
• and the U.S. Secret Service.

The DHS therefore demonstrates another important feature of federal administration: a Cabinet department can exercise authority through numerous specialized component agencies.

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7. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) administers and enforces the federal tax laws contained principally in the Internal Revenue Code.

The IRS is a bureau of the Department of the Treasury.

Its responsibilities include:

• processing federal tax returns;
• collecting federal taxes;
• conducting examinations and audits;
• investigating certain tax violations;
• issuing administrative guidance;
• determining tax liabilities;
• administering various tax credits and benefits;
• and enforcing federal tax requirements.

The IRS is particularly significant because federal taxation affects virtually every sector of the American economy.

Its authority, however, is statutory. The IRS does not create the federal taxing power. Congress legislates the tax system, while the executive branch administers and enforces it.

The IRS must also comply with statutory taxpayer protections and constitutional limitations.

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8. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is one of the most important federal financial regulators.

Its principal responsibilities include administering and enforcing federal securities laws and regulating important aspects of the securities markets.

The SEC’s responsibilities include areas such as:

• securities offerings;
• public-company disclosures;
• securities exchanges;
• investment advisers;
• investment companies;
• market participants;
• accounting and financial reporting;
• and securities-law enforcement.

The SEC can conduct investigations, bring administrative proceedings, seek civil enforcement remedies, and refer matters for criminal prosecution when appropriate.

Its authority derives primarily from federal securities legislation enacted by Congress.

The SEC is an excellent example of how administrative regulation can affect an entire national market without the agency itself being a court or legislature.

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9. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administers major federal environmental statutes.

Its regulatory responsibilities include areas such as:

• air pollution;
• water pollution;
• hazardous substances;
• pesticides;
• chemical regulation;
• waste management;
• and environmental standards.

Important federal statutes administered or implemented by the EPA include the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Toxic Substances Control Act.

The EPA’s power is largely regulatory rather than prosecutorial in the traditional criminal-law sense.

It may promulgate regulations, establish standards, issue permits in certain contexts, conduct inspections and investigations, and pursue enforcement actions authorized by federal law.

Because environmental regulation can impose substantial obligations on businesses and governmental entities, EPA decisions can have significant economic and legal consequences.

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10. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) administers a broad range of federal health and social programs.

Its components include major federal institutions such as:

• the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services;
• the Food and Drug Administration;
• the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
• the National Institutes of Health;
• and other agencies and offices.

HHS therefore exercises authority across several very different areas.

Some components primarily administer federal benefit programs. Others regulate products, conduct scientific research, or address public health.

The department’s authority comes from numerous federal statutes, including provisions of the Social Security Act, the Public Health Service Act, and federal legislation governing health programs.

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11. The Department of Labor (DOL)

The Department of Labor (DOL) administers and enforces numerous federal employment and labor laws.

Its responsibilities include:

• wage and hour regulation;
• workplace safety;
• employee benefit regulation;
• unemployment-related programs;
• labor standards;
• and protection of certain employee rights.

Major statutes associated with the Department include the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

The Department illustrates how administrative agencies can regulate the relationship between private employers and employees.

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12. The Department of Transportation (DOT)

The Department of Transportation (DOT) administers federal transportation programs and regulations.

Its various administrations and agencies regulate or oversee areas including:

• aviation;
• highways;
• railroads;
• motor carriers;
• public transportation;
• maritime transportation;
• pipelines;
• and transportation safety.

The DOT therefore exercises authority over infrastructure and transportation systems that are essential to interstate commerce.

Several of its component agencies possess specialized regulatory and enforcement responsibilities.

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13. The Department of Energy (DOE)

The Department of Energy (DOE) is responsible for significant federal functions involving:

• energy policy;
• energy research;
• nuclear security;
• nuclear materials;
• national laboratories;
• scientific research;
• and certain environmental responsibilities.

The Department’s authority arises from several major federal statutes, including the Department of Energy Organization Act and the Atomic Energy Act.

The DOE is unusual because its responsibilities extend beyond ordinary economic regulation into science, energy security, national security, and nuclear matters.

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14. The Department of Agriculture (USDA)

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) administers a broad range of federal programs involving:

• agriculture;
• food and nutrition;
• agricultural markets;
• rural development;
• forestry;
• food safety responsibilities;
• and agricultural assistance.

The USDA also administers significant federal benefit and support programs.

Its authority therefore affects farmers, agricultural businesses, food producers, consumers, and rural communities.

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15. The Department of Commerce

The Department of Commerce promotes and supports economic and technological development and administers important federal programs relating to commerce, trade, economic statistics, intellectual property, and other areas.

Its components include agencies such as:

• the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;
• the Census Bureau;
• the International Trade Administration;
• the National Institute of Standards and Technology;
• and the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

The Department demonstrates that federal administrative power is not limited to enforcement. Governmental administration, economic data, scientific standards, intellectual property administration, and commercial policy can also involve substantial federal authority.

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16. The Department of Education

The Department of Education administers federal education programs and enforces certain federal education laws.

Its responsibilities include areas such as:

• federal student financial assistance;
• education funding;
• enforcement of federal education requirements;
• administration of certain loan programs;
• and protection of certain federally recognized educational rights.

Education in the United States remains heavily decentralized, with state and local governments exercising extensive authority.

Consequently, the Department of Education’s role should not be confused with direct federal control over the entire American education system.

Its authority is primarily based on federal spending programs and federal statutory requirements.

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17. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

The Department of Veterans Affairs administers federal programs for veterans.

Its responsibilities include:

• veterans’ health care;
• disability compensation;
• pensions;
• education benefits;
• housing-related assistance;
• vocational rehabilitation;
• and other benefits and services.

The VA is therefore one of the largest federal administrative institutions in terms of the range of benefits it administers.

Its authority is principally statutory and is directed toward fulfilling programs established by Congress for eligible veterans and their families.

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18. Other Federal Agencies Can Be Extremely Powerful

The departments discussed above should not create the impression that they are the only influential institutions in the federal government.

The United States has numerous independent agencies, commissions, boards, and specialized institutions.

Examples include:

• the Federal Trade Commission (FTC);
• the Federal Communications Commission (FCC);
• the Federal Reserve System;
• the Federal Election Commission (FEC);
• the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB);
• the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC);
• the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB);
• the Federal Communications Commission;
• and the National Labor Relations Board.

The exact legal status of these institutions differs.

Some exercise substantial rulemaking authority. Others focus primarily on adjudication, enforcement, monetary policy, licensing, or specialized administration.

The federal government’s official agency directory illustrates just how extensive this institutional structure is, listing federal departments, agencies, corporations, instrumentalities, and government-sponsored enterprises.

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19. Federal Agency Power Begins With Congress

One of the most important principles in administrative law is that federal agencies generally operate pursuant to authority established by Congress.

Congress creates statutory programs and assigns responsibilities to executive departments and agencies.

An enabling statute may authorize an agency to:

1. administer a federal program;
2. promulgate regulations;
3. conduct investigations;
4. issue licenses or permits;
5. impose administrative sanctions;
6. adjudicate specified disputes;
7. collect information;
8. distribute federal benefits;
9. or enforce statutory requirements.

The agency must remain within the authority Congress has provided.

This is why an agency’s enabling statute is often more important legally than its reputation for being powerful.

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20. Rulemaking: How Agencies Create Regulations

One of the most important forms of administrative power is rulemaking.

Congress frequently establishes broad statutory requirements while delegating authority to an agency to develop detailed rules.

For example, Congress may enact a statute establishing environmental objectives while authorizing an agency to establish technical standards for implementing those objectives.

Administrative regulations can therefore become highly consequential sources of legal obligations.

However, regulations are not equivalent to statutes enacted by Congress.

Agencies must comply with governing statutes, procedural requirements, constitutional limitations, and judicial review.

The Administrative Procedure Act is particularly important in this area because it establishes major procedural requirements governing federal administrative action.

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21. Investigations and Enforcement

Many federal agencies possess investigative authority.

Depending upon the agency and governing statute, investigators may:

• request documents;
• conduct inspections;
• interview witnesses;
• issue administrative subpoenas;
• examine records;
• investigate suspected violations;
• and initiate administrative or judicial enforcement proceedings.

The scope of these powers varies considerably.

An agency does not automatically acquire every investigative power merely because it is a federal agency.

The relevant statute, regulations, constitutional provisions, and applicable judicial decisions determine the boundaries.

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22. Administrative Adjudication

Some agencies also exercise adjudicatory functions.

Administrative adjudication can involve disputes between:

• an agency and a regulated entity;
• the federal government and an individual;
• competing private parties in a specialized regulatory context;
• or a claimant and a federal benefits program.

Administrative law judges and other agency adjudicators may hear evidence, apply statutes and regulations, and issue decisions within their authorized jurisdiction.

Those decisions may sometimes be reviewed through administrative appeals and, ultimately, by federal courts.

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23. Judicial Review Limits Federal Agency Power

Federal agencies do not operate outside the judicial system.

Agency action can be challenged in federal court when applicable jurisdictional and procedural requirements are satisfied.

Courts may review whether an agency:

• exceeded its statutory authority;
• violated constitutional rights;
• failed to follow required procedures;
• acted arbitrarily or unlawfully;
• improperly interpreted its governing statute;
• or otherwise acted beyond the authority granted by law.

Judicial review is therefore a fundamental component of the constitutional structure of administrative government.

The principle is important because federal agency power exists within a system of checks and balances, not above it.

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24. Congressional Oversight and Appropriations

Congress also retains substantial control over federal agencies.

Congress can:

• create or abolish agencies;
• amend their statutory authority;
• appropriate or restrict funding;
• conduct oversight hearings;
• investigate agency conduct;
• require reports;
• and enact new legislation governing agency activities.

The Constitution’s separation of powers therefore prevents federal agencies from becoming entirely autonomous institutions.

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25. Presidential Control

The President heads the executive branch and exercises significant authority over executive departments and many executive agencies.

Cabinet secretaries generally serve under presidential leadership, while numerous agency heads are appointed by the President, often with Senate confirmation.

However, the degree of presidential control varies among federal institutions.

Some agencies have statutory structures designed to provide greater independence from direct presidential control.

Therefore, it is inaccurate to assume that every federal agency operates in exactly the same relationship to the President.

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26. The Difference Between Executive Departments and Independent Agencies

This distinction deserves special attention.

Executive departments

Executive departments are major components of the executive branch headed by Cabinet-level secretaries.

Federal law identifies 15 executive departments in 5 U.S.C. § 101, including the Departments of Justice, Defense, Treasury, Labor, Health and Human Services, Transportation, Energy, Education, Veterans Affairs, and Homeland Security.

Independent agencies

Independent agencies and commissions are structured differently and may have statutory protections or organizational arrangements intended to provide some degree of independence from direct presidential control.

The precise degree of independence varies.

An “independent agency” is therefore not synonymous with an institution that is completely independent of all political or constitutional oversight.

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27. Why the Most Powerful Agencies Are Not Necessarily the Largest

A common mistake is to measure federal power only by the size of an agency’s budget or workforce.

That can be misleading.

A relatively small agency can exercise enormous influence if Congress gives it jurisdiction over an important national market.

For example, an agency regulating securities markets can influence financial transactions worth trillions of dollars even if its workforce is much smaller than that of a Cabinet department.

Similarly, an agency responsible for a highly specialized field may have substantial legal authority because Congress has assigned it exclusive or particularly important regulatory responsibilities.

Institutional power is therefore better understood through jurisdiction and legal authority than through size alone.

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28. The Limits of Federal Agency Power

Federal agencies have significant authority, but that authority is not unlimited.

Their actions are constrained by:

• the U.S. Constitution;
• federal statutes;
• appropriations laws;
• administrative-law requirements;
• procedural safeguards;
• judicial review;
• congressional oversight;
• presidential supervision where applicable;
• and, in appropriate cases, individual rights protected by the Constitution.

An agency cannot simply create whatever legal obligation it considers desirable.

Its authority must be connected to a valid source of federal law.

This principle is fundamental to the rule of law.

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29. Why Federal Agencies Matter to Ordinary Americans

Federal agencies may seem distant from everyday life, but their decisions affect ordinary activities constantly.

A person may encounter federal administrative law when:

• filing a federal tax return;
• applying for Social Security or veterans’ benefits;
• seeking a federal student loan;
• purchasing regulated financial products;
• working for an employer subject to federal labor laws;
• traveling through airport security;
• operating a business subject to federal regulations;
• dealing with environmental requirements;
• importing goods;
• seeking immigration benefits;
• or challenging an administrative decision.

Federal administrative law is therefore not merely an abstract field for government lawyers.

It is one of the principal mechanisms through which federal statutes become operational rules affecting daily life.

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30. Conclusion: What Makes a Federal Agency Powerful?

There is no official legal ranking of the “most powerful” federal agencies.

Instead, federal power is distributed among numerous institutions with different responsibilities and different legal structures.

The Department of Justice exercises extraordinary authority in federal law enforcement and litigation. The FBI conducts major federal investigations. The Department of Defense administers the nation’s military establishment. DHS performs extensive homeland-security functions. The IRS administers federal taxation. The SEC regulates significant portions of the securities markets. The EPA administers major environmental statutes. HHS oversees major federal health programs. The Department of Labor regulates important aspects of employment and workplace relations.

Other agencies and commissions may exercise equally important authority within their specialized fields.

The central legal principle is that federal agencies do not possess inherent governmental power simply because they are agencies. Their authority is derived from law and is constrained by the Constitution, statutes, administrative procedures, congressional oversight, presidential authority where applicable, and judicial review.

Understanding that structure is more useful than simply memorizing a list of “powerful agencies.” It reveals how the American administrative state actually functions: Congress creates legal authority, agencies administer and enforce that authority, the President exercises executive control subject to the law, and courts provide judicial review.

That system is one of the defining features of modern American government.

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Key Takeaways

• “Most powerful federal agencies” is not a formal legal category. It is a descriptive term referring to federal institutions with particularly broad or consequential authority.
• Federal agency is a broad legal concept. Federal law may use the term to encompass departments, commissions, administrations, boards, bureaus, authorities, and other governmental entities.
• Executive departments and federal agencies are not identical concepts. A department can contain numerous agencies, administrations, bureaus, and offices.
• The FBI is part of the Department of Justice. It is not a Cabinet-level department.
• The IRS is part of the Department of the Treasury. It administers federal tax laws but does not itself create the federal tax system.
• Federal agency power generally originates in congressional statutes. Congress establishes programs and delegates administrative responsibilities.
• Agencies may possess rulemaking, investigative, enforcement, licensing, benefits-administration, or adjudicatory authority, depending on their governing statutes.
• Regulations are not the same as statutes. Agencies implement statutory authority through legally authorized administrative processes.
• Federal agencies are subject to constitutional and statutory limitations.
• Courts can review agency action when the requirements for judicial review are satisfied.
• Congress retains oversight and appropriations powers over federal agencies.
• Presidential control varies among federal institutions. Executive departments generally operate under strong presidential supervision, while some independent agencies have statutory structures intended to provide greater independence.
• Agency size does not necessarily equal agency power. Jurisdiction, statutory authority, enforcement mechanisms, and economic significance may be more important than workforce or budget.
• Administrative law is essential to understanding federal agency power. It explains how agencies receive authority, exercise it, and remain subject to legal constraints.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most powerful federal agency in the United States?

There is no legally designated “most powerful” federal agency. The answer depends on the type of power being considered. The Department of Justice has extraordinary law-enforcement and litigation authority, the Department of Defense has enormous national-defense responsibilities, the IRS has extensive tax-administration authority, and agencies such as the SEC and EPA possess significant regulatory authority within their specialized fields.

Are federal agencies part of the executive branch?

Many federal agencies are part of the executive branch, but the term “federal agency” is broader than “executive agency.” Federal law recognizes governmental entities associated with different branches and organizational structures. The executive branch includes executive departments, independent agencies, boards, commissions, and other governmental entities.

Who creates federal agencies?

Congress generally establishes federal agencies and defines their statutory responsibilities. Congress may create an agency through legislation and specify the powers, duties, organizational structure, and jurisdiction that the institution will possess.

Can a federal agency make laws?

Federal agencies generally do not make statutes in the same sense as Congress. However, Congress may delegate rulemaking authority to an agency, allowing the agency to issue legally binding regulations within the scope of its statutory authority.

Can federal agencies be sued?

In appropriate circumstances, federal agency action can be challenged through judicial proceedings. Whether a particular lawsuit is permitted depends on issues such as sovereign immunity, statutory authorization, jurisdiction, standing, exhaustion requirements, and the availability of judicial review.

Can Congress abolish a federal agency?

Congress generally has substantial authority to establish, reorganize, restrict, or abolish federal agencies through legislation, subject to constitutional limitations.

Does the President control every federal agency?

No. Presidential control varies according to the legal structure of the institution. Executive departments are generally subject to substantial presidential supervision, while some independent agencies and commissions are structured to provide greater independence.

What is the difference between an agency and a department?

A department is a major executive-branch organizational unit headed by a Cabinet-level secretary. “Agency” is a broader term that can encompass departments as well as independent establishments, commissions, administrations, boards, bureaus, and other federal entities.

Why are federal agencies important in administrative law?

Federal agencies transform broad statutory commands into practical government programs and regulatory requirements. They therefore perform many of the day-to-day functions of the federal government.

Can courts overturn federal agency decisions?

Courts can review agency action when judicial review is legally available. Depending on the circumstances, a court may determine that an agency acted unlawfully, exceeded its statutory authority, violated required procedures, or otherwise acted contrary to governing law.

Where can I find a complete list of federal agencies?

The U.S. government’s official agency directory provides an extensive alphabetical listing of federal departments, agencies, corporations, instrumentalities, and government-sponsored enterprises.

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Legal Disclaimer

This article provides general information about the structure and operation of the United States federal government and federal administrative agencies. It is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The authority of any particular federal agency depends on the Constitution, applicable federal statutes, regulations, judicial decisions, and the specific facts of the matter involved.