How to Contact President Obama's Cabinet Members

Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution establishes that the Cabinet of the President of the United States, consisting of executive department heads/senior officers, is to advise the President on any subject that relates to the duties of the executive departments. This advisory staff includes not only 15 executive department heads, but also the Vice President, the Attorney General and additional officers considered to have the equivalent of Cabinet "rank." According to the White House Contact Us webpage, President Obama wants to create the "most open and accessible administration in American history." As a result, contacting Cabinet members has never been easier.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Go to "The Cabinet" executive departments directory (see Resources).

2. Scroll down the directory page until you find the executive department or department head you wish to contact. The White House also provides links to departments of non-Cabinet members who hold "Cabinet rank" on this page.

3. Contact the appropriate Cabinet member or departmental head with Cabinet rank using the White House Contact Us Web Form (see Resources) by filling in all required fields (marked with red asterisks). Check the "A response is requested" box if you want a reply. Approved forms of contact via this webpage include well-wishes, comments, concerns, and questions. In your message, include the name of the Cabinet member that you're trying to reach.

4. Mail your well-wishes, comments, concerns, and questions to the attention of a specific Cabinet member to:
   
   The White House
   1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
   Washington, DC 20500
   
   Include your email address in your correspondence.

5. Call the White House Comments line at [phone] or Switchboard at [phone] to leave a message. In addition, you can contact the White House via fax at [phone].
   
   If you use TTY/TDD, contact the White House Comments line at [phone].

Tips & Warnings

• If you want updates about an executive department or Cabinet member, go to the online directory, click on an executive department link, look for the words "updates," "email updates," or "social media" on the page that opens for links to areas where you can sign up or register for updates.
• Never send gifts to Cabinet members or the White House, as President Obama and his staff cannot accept certain types of mail. This includes gifts, perishable items, or money/money equivalents. Besides security precautions and other reasons, President Obama and his staff prefer that Americans use monies or time that would otherwise go toward such gifts to contribute to local communities and charities. Don't send personal or irreplaceable items to any Cabinet member or the White House, as certain types of mail experience serious delivery delays and can become damaged during security screening procedures.

References

• The White House

Resources

• The Cabinet
• White House Contact Us Web Form