United States Treasurer

United States Treasurer
Post	Treasurer of the United States
Insigniasize	150
Insigniacaption	Official seal
Department	United States Department of the Treasury
Reports to	United States Secretary of the Treasury
Appointer	President of the United States
Appointer qualified	with Senate advice and consent
Termlength	At the pleasure of the President
Inaugural	Michael Hillegas
Formation	1775
Website	[https://home.treasury.gov/about/general-information/treasurer-of-the-united-states]

United States Treasurer. The Treasurer of the United States is a senior official within the United States Department of the Treasury. Appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate, the Treasurer's signature, along with that of the United States Secretary of the Treasury, appears on all Federal Reserve Notes. The role, established during the American Revolutionary War, has evolved from managing government funds to focusing on public engagement and financial literacy.

History

The office was created in 1775 by the Continental Congress, with Michael Hillegas serving as the first Treasurer. Early Treasurers were instrumental in financing the American Revolutionary War and managing the fledgling nation's debt. The position's responsibilities were formally codified with the establishment of the United States Department of the Treasury under Alexander Hamilton in 1789. Throughout the 19th century, the office oversaw the operations of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and the United States Mint, managing the production of currency and coinage. Notable holders in the 20th century include Frances Perkins, the first woman to serve in a Presidential cabinet, who was appointed Treasurer by Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Azie Taylor Morton, the only African American to hold the office, appointed by Jimmy Carter.

Duties and responsibilities

Primary duties include overseeing the United States Mint and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, which produce the nation's coinage and paper currency. The Treasurer's signature is affixed to all Federal Reserve Notes as a symbol of authenticity. The role also involves advising the United States Secretary of the Treasury on matters related to coinage and currency production. In recent decades, the position has taken on a significant public-facing role, advocating for financial literacy and economic empowerment through initiatives like the Financial Literacy and Education Commission. The Treasurer often represents the Treasury Department at ceremonial events and in engagements with groups like the American Bankers Association.

List of Treasurers

There have been over 70 individuals serving as Treasurer since 1775. Key historical figures include Michael Hillegas, the first; Francis E. Spinner, known for hiring women to work in the Treasury Department during the American Civil War; and Mabel G. Reinecke, an early female Treasurer. In the modern era, notable appointments include Rosie Rios under Barack Obama, who advocated for women's history, and Jovita Carranza under Donald Trump, a former Small Business Administration official. The current Treasurer, appointed by Joe Biden, is Lynn Malerba, the first Native American to hold the office.

Appointment and tenure

The Treasurer is appointed by the President of the United States and must be confirmed by a majority vote in the United States Senate. The term is not fixed by statute, serving at the pleasure of the President, meaning they can be dismissed by the President or resign at any time. There are no specific constitutional qualifications for the office, though appointees typically have backgrounds in finance, public service, or community leadership. The process is governed by the same Appointments Clause procedures as other senior Executive Branch officials, and the position has often been used to promote diversity within an administration's economic team.

Relationship to the Treasury Department

The Treasurer reports directly to the United States Secretary of the Treasury and is a key staff member within the United States Department of the Treasury. While the Deputy Secretary of the Treasury and Under Secretary of the Treasury roles focus on broader fiscal policy, the Treasurer's portfolio is specifically tied to the bureaus responsible for currency production. The office works closely with the Director of the Mint and the Director of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. It also collaborates with other agencies like the Federal Reserve and the United States Secret Service on matters related to currency design and security.

Insignia and symbols of office

The primary symbol of the office is the Treasurer's official signature, which appears on all Federal Reserve Notes alongside that of the United States Secretary of the Treasury. The office uses the official seal of the United States Department of the Treasury, which features a key, a chevron with thirteen stars, and a balance scale. While there is no official physical insignia like a medallion, the position is ceremonially associated with the production facilities of the United States Mint and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. The Treasurer's name and title are also engraved on the dies used for minting certain commemorative coins and medals.

Category:United States Department of the Treasury Category:Treasurers of the United States Category:1775 establishments in the United States