There are many different types of U.S. government agencies--so many, in fact, that sorting them out can be confusing for federal workers and average citizens alike. Each cabinet-level department is considered an agency, and then there are hundreds of lower-level groups that are called line agencies because they have a clear line of authority flowing from above. Besides these organizations, there are four types of nonline agencies that operate within the federal government:
| Independent executive agencies | Report to the president directly but not to any department; examples include the CIA and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) |
| Independent regulatory agencies | Created by Congress and not responsible to the president or any executive department; examples include the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) |
| Government corporations | Run like independent businesses but owned and operated by the federal government; examples include the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and Amtrak |
| Presidential commissions | created by the president to investigate specific, short-term issues; an example would include the 1963 Warren Commission, created to investigate the death of President John F. Kennedy |
The United States government consists of over 2,000 individual agencies and offices. You may wonder why we need so many groups and what their responsibilities could be. Fortunately, most of them can be placed in one of six groups based on their purpose and scope. Study each of these categories in the tabs below.
Defense AgenciesSome agencies are tasked with protecting Americans and ensuring national security. These include the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and Veterans Affairs. Line and independent agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and the Immigration and Naturalization Service also serve this purpose. 
Diplomatic AgenciesOther agencies help manage United States diplomacy initiatives and other peaceful interactions with foreign nations. These include the Department of State and all its various agencies and groups, including embassies and foreign missions. 
Resource Management AgenciesA large number of agencies help coordinate and regulate natural resources. These include the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Energy, the Department of the Interior, and the Department of Transportation. Some well-known, powerful line and independent agencies also serve this purpose, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Park Service, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). 
Public Health and Safety AgenciesOther agencies are charged with protecting the health, well-being, and personal safety of citizens. These include the Department of Agriculture, which monitors meat and produce safety, as well as the Department of Education, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Line and independent agencies with this purpose include the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 
Agencies Protecting Rights and JusticeSome agencies exist to ensure individual rights are protected and that justice is carried out. These include the Department of Justice along with line and independent agencies such as the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), and various civil rights agencies. 
Commerce and Fiscal AgenciesLastly, some agencies are designed to help coordinate and regulate business and economic practices in the U.S. These include the Commerce Department and Treasury Department, along with line and independent agencies such as the SEC, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and Internal Revenue Service (IRS). |
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Question
What is the difference between a line agency and a nonline agency?
