United States Department of Commerce

United States Department of Commerce
Agency name	United States Department of Commerce
Logo width	200
Formed	04 March 1913
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 (2011)
Budget	$16.3 billion (2023)
Chief1 name	Gina Raimondo
Chief1 position	United States Secretary of Commerce
Chief2 name	Don Graves
Chief2 position	United States Deputy Secretary of Commerce
Website	www.commerce.gov

United States Department of Commerce. The United States Department of Commerce is an executive department of the Federal government of the United States charged with promoting economic growth, job creation, and technological competitiveness. Established in 1913, its mission encompasses a wide range of activities from issuing patents and conducting the decennial United States Census to forecasting weather and enforcing international trade laws. The department is headquartered in the Herbert C. Hoover Building in Washington, D.C., and is currently led by Secretary Gina Raimondo.

History

The department was created on March 4, 1913, when President William Howard Taft signed legislation dividing the former United States Department of Commerce and Labor into two separate cabinet-level agencies. This split followed years of advocacy by business interests who believed labor concerns were receiving disproportionate attention. The department's first secretary was William C. Redfield, appointed by President Woodrow Wilson. Its early functions were primarily statistical and informational, housed within agencies like the Bureau of the Census and the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey. Over the decades, its portfolio expanded significantly, absorbing responsibilities from other departments and establishing new bureaus to address evolving economic challenges, such as the creation of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in 1970 and the International Trade Administration in 1980.

Organizational structure

The department is organized under the leadership of the United States Secretary of Commerce, who is 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, several under secretaries, and assistant secretaries who oversee specific policy areas. Major divisions include those focused on international trade, economic development, oceans and atmosphere, and technology. The department's operational structure is largely bureau-based, with each of its twelve principal operating units, such as the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the National Institute of Standards and Technology, enjoying a degree of autonomy in their specialized fields while reporting to the secretary.

Functions and responsibilities

The department's core functions are to create the conditions for economic growth and opportunity. It administers programs to support American businesses and industries, both domestically and internationally, through entities like the International Trade Administration and the Minority Business Development Agency. It collects and disseminates critical economic and demographic data through the United States Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis, which inform public policy and private investment. Additional key responsibilities include granting patents and registering trademarks, developing technological standards, conducting oceanic and atmospheric research, and enforcing laws related to fair trade and export controls.

Operating units

The department comprises twelve major operating units, each with a distinct mission. These include the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which houses the National Weather Service; the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO); the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST); and the United States Census Bureau. Other significant bureaus are the International Trade Administration (ITA), the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), and the Economic Development Administration (EDA). These units employ experts in fields ranging from meteorology and engineering to economics and international law.

Leadership and key officials

The department is led by the United States Secretary of Commerce, a member of the President's Cabinet. As of 2023, the secretary is Gina Raimondo, former governor of Rhode Island. The deputy secretary is Don Graves. Other key Senate-confirmed officials include the Under Secretary for International Trade, currently held by Marisa Lago, and the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Kathi Vidal. The leadership also includes the directors of major bureaus like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Rick Spinrad) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (Laurie Locascio).

Controversies and criticism

The department has faced various controversies throughout its history. Political interference in scientific matters, particularly within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration regarding climate change data during the administration of President George W. Bush, has drawn significant criticism. The handling of the United States Census, such as the attempted inclusion of a citizenship question during the Donald Trump administration, which was ultimately blocked by the Supreme Court of the United States, has been a source of legal and political contention. Other criticisms have involved export control decisions by the Bureau of Industry and Security, trade policy implementations by the International Trade Administration, and concerns over data privacy and cybersecurity, especially following incidents like the SolarWinds cyberattack which affected several federal agencies.

Category:United States Department of Commerce Category:1913 establishments in the United States Category:Executive departments of the United States government