Department of Commerce

Department of Commerce
Agency name	Department of Commerce
Logo width	200
Formed	February 14, 1903; 121 years ago
Preceding1	United States Department of Commerce and Labor
Jurisdiction	Federal government of the United States
Headquarters	Herbert C. Hoover Building, Washington, D.C.
Employees	46,608 (2019)
Budget	$16.3 billion (FY2023)
Chief1 name	Gina Raimondo
Chief1 position	United States Secretary of Commerce
Chief2 name	Don Graves
Chief2 position	United States Deputy Secretary of Commerce
Website	[https://www.commerce.gov/ commerce.gov]

Department of Commerce. The United States Department of Commerce is an executive department of the Federal government of the United States concerned with promoting economic growth, technological innovation, and industrial competitiveness. Established in 1903 as the United States Department of Commerce and Labor, it became a separate cabinet-level department a decade later. Its mission encompasses a wide range of activities from issuing patents and conducting the decennial United States Census to forecasting weather and setting industrial standards.

History

The department's origins trace back to the early 20th century, created during the administration of President Theodore Roosevelt to address the growing complexity of the American economy. Initially combined with labor functions, it was split by an act of Congress signed by President William Howard Taft in 1913, forming the separate United States Department of Labor. Key historical components like the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Census Bureau were folded into the new department. Over the decades, its structure evolved significantly, with major additions including the transfer of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration from the United States Department of the Interior in 1970 and the creation of the International Trade Administration following the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988.

Organization

The department is headquartered in the Herbert C. Hoover Building in Washington, D.C.. It comprises twelve major bureaus and offices, each with distinct mandates. Principal operating units include the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and the Economic Development Administration. Other critical agencies are the Bureau of Industry and Security, the Minority Business Development Agency, and the United States Travel and Tourism Office. The department also houses the Office of the Secretary of Commerce, which provides overarching policy direction and management.

Functions and responsibilities

Its primary functions are to foster job creation, economic growth, sustainable development, and improved living standards. The department administers critical statistical programs through the United States Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis. It promotes innovation by granting patents through the United States Patent and Trademark Office and advances technology via the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration provides weather forecasts, climate monitoring, and coastal management. It also enforces export control laws under the Bureau of Industry and Security and promotes international trade through the International Trade Administration.

Leadership

The department is led by the United States Secretary of Commerce, a member of the Cabinet of the United States appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate. The Secretary is supported by the United States Deputy Secretary of Commerce and several under secretaries, including the Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security and the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property. Notable past Secretaries include Herbert Hoover, Ron Brown, and Wilbur Ross. The current Secretary is Gina Raimondo, who was confirmed by the United States Senate in 2021.

Budget and finance

The department's operations are funded through annual appropriations bills passed by Congress. Its fiscal year 2023 budget request was approximately $16.3 billion. A significant portion of funding is allocated to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for satellite programs and research. Other major budgetary lines support the United States Census Bureau for ongoing surveys and the National Institute of Standards and Technology for scientific research. The department also manages various revolving funds and receives fees for services from entities like the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Controversies and criticism

The department has faced various controversies throughout its history. In 2020, the United States Census Bureau encountered significant challenges and litigation over the attempted inclusion of a citizenship question, a move critics argued was politically motivated. The Bureau of Industry and Security has been criticized for its role in enforcing export controls, particularly regarding restrictions on technology sales to companies like Huawei. Past Secretaries, including Ron Brown and Wilbur Ross, have been subjects of ethical scrutiny and investigations. The department's economic data releases are also closely watched and sometimes questioned for their accuracy or potential political influence.

Category:United States Department of Commerce Category:1903 establishments in the United States Category:Executive departments of the United States government