Define the Role of the Secretary of State
The U.S. Secretary of State is the chief foreign affairs diplomat for the U.S. Department of State. As a member of the Presidential Cabinet, the Secretary of State carries out various foreign policy duties.
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History
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Congress formed the Department of State in 1789. The Secretary of State position was created to run the Department of State and to be the chief foreign diplomat and adviser to the president on foreign policy matters.
Department of State
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The Secretary of State is the director of the Department of State and manages all staff and policies within the department. The Department of State is responsible for U.S. foreign policy, managing international relations and U.S. diplomats. The Department of State also issues passports, visas, travel advisories and provides support to Americans traveling abroad.
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Chief Diplomat
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The Secretary of State is considered the chief diplomat of the U.S. The Secretary of State travels abroad often to meet with foreign leaders and heads of state to discuss foreign policy matters. The Secretary of State also manages and works with U.S. foreign embassies, consulates and diplomats abroad.
Presidential Adviser
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As a member of the Presidential Cabinet, the Secretary of State advises the president on a variety of foreign policy issues. The Secretary of State is instrumental in advising the president on the direction of the U.S. government's non-military activities oversees.
Presidential Successor
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The Secretary of State is the highest-ranking member of the Presidential Cabinet and is the fourth line of succession to the presidency. In the rare occasion that the president was to die or become incapacitated while in office, the line of succession would be as follows: Vice President, Speaker of the House, President pro tempore of the U.S. Senate and Secretary of State.
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- Photo Credit six of the allied forces flags image by Wendy Hampe from Fotolia.com
