Independent Agencies

The Executive Branch of the Federal Government includes a large number of agencies that are independent from the Cabinet departments and the Executive Office of the President. The various agencies were established by separate Congressional legislation that defines their responsibilities and powers. They are authorized to issue regulations and rules that have the power of federal law. 

Amtrak (National Railroad Passenger Corporation)

Administrative Conference of the United States

African Development Foundation

Central Intelligence Agency 

Commission on Civil Rights

Commission on Presidential Scholars

Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (Helsinki Commission)

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Consumer Product Safety Commission

Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Commission

Denali Commission 

Environmental Protection Agency

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Export-Import Bank of the United States

Farm Credit Administration

Federal Communications Commission

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

Federal Election Commission

Federal Housing Finance Agency

Federal Labor Relations Authority

Federal Maritime Commission

Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service

Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission

Federal Reserve System

Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board

Federal Trade Commission

General Services Administration

Indoor Air Quality

Institute of Museum and Library Services

Inter-American Foundation

Merit Systems Protection Board

Millennium Challenge Corporation

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

National Archives and Records Administration

National Capital Planning Commission

National Credit Union Administration

National Endowment for the Arts

National Endowment for the Humanities

National Labor Relations Board

National Mediation Board

National Science Foundation

National Transportation Safety Board

Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission

Office of Director of National Intelligence

Office of Government Ethics

Office of Personnel Management

Office of Special Counsel

Peace Corps

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation

Postal Regulatory Commission

Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board

Railroad Retirement Board

Securities and Exchange Commission

Selective Service System

Small Business Administration

Social Security Administration

Surface Transportation Board

Tennessee Valley Authority

United States Agency for Global Media

United States Agency for International Development

United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission

United States International Development Finance Corporation

United States International Trade Commission

United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission

United States Postal Service

United States Trade and Development Agency