"And now we have questions about the independence of the inspector general's office at a Cabinet-level department."

It is by far the smallest Cabinet-level department, with about 5,000 employees.

This structure keeps statistical work within close proximity to the various cabinet-level departments that use the information.

During Carter's term as President, he created two new cabinet-level departments.

Agencies are governmental organizations that include cabinet-level departments, independent bodies, and task forces.

But he insists that oversight of the agency's rule-making should remain under his or another Cabinet-level department.

Membership includes representatives from 12 Cabinet-level departments and a technical working committee of eight additional federal agencies.

And this month he reintroduced his proposal to create a cabinet-level Department of Peace.

She also supported establishment of a cabinet-level Department of Education.

Veterans Affairs became a cabinet-level department in 1989.