A coherent, signal-alphabetical reference of the three branches, their institutions, and key public portals — in Name Directory format, with added depth.
I. Legislative Branch
Congress of the United States
Etymology
- Congress: Latin congredi, “to come together.”
- United States: union of sovereign states.
Definition
- Literal: The coming together of representatives of the people and states.
- Functional: Bicameral legislature that makes federal law.
Linguistic Structure
- Syllables: Con-gress of the U-ni-ted States
- Phonetics: /ˈkɒŋɡrɛs əv ðə juːˈnaɪtɪd steɪts/
Symbolism
- Capitol dome: unity under law.
Historical & Modern Use
- Established 1789 under the Constitution.
Interdisciplinary Links
- Governomos: Article I authority.
- Governomics: Taxation and appropriations power.
Governing Phrase
“Together, we legislate.”
Portal: https://www.congress.gov/
United States Senate
Etymology
- Senate: Latin senatus, “council of elders.”
Definition
- Literal: Council of the states.
- Functional: Upper chamber; confirms treaties/appointments.
Linguistic Structure
- Syllables: Sen-ate
- Phonetics: /ˈsɛnɪt/
Symbolism
- Olive branches and shield: deliberation, state sovereignty.
Historical & Modern Use
- Since 1789; 100 members.
Governing Phrase
“The voice of the states.”
Portal: https://www.senate.gov/
United States House of Representatives
Etymology
- House: assembly.
- Representatives: one who stands for another.
Definition
- Literal: Assembly of the people’s representatives.
- Functional: Lower chamber; originates revenue bills; impeaches.
Linguistic Structure
- Syllables: House of Rep-re-sen-ta-tives
- Phonetics: /haʊs əv ˌrɛprɪˈzɛntətɪvz/
Symbolism
- Mace of the House: authority and law.
Governing Phrase
“The people’s house.”
Portal: https://www.house.gov/
Library of Congress
Etymology
- Library: Latin librarium, “book place.”
Definition
- Literal: Library serving Congress.
- Functional: Research arm; national memory and cultural repository.
Governing Phrase
“Universal access to knowledge.”
Portal: https://www.loc.gov/
CRS Reports: https://crsreports.congress.gov/
Government Publishing Office (GPO)
Definition
- Official federal publisher; permanent public access to all three branches.
Governing Phrase
“Keeping America informed.”
Portal: https://www.govinfo.gov/
Architect of the Capitol (AOC)
Definition
- Preserves and maintains the Capitol complex.
Governing Phrase
“Preserving democracy’s home.”
Portal: https://www.aoc.gov/
Congressional Research Service (CRS)
Definition
- Nonpartisan legislative research and analysis.
Governing Phrase
“Authoritative, objective, timely.”
Portal: https://crsreports.congress.gov/
United States Capitol Police (USCP)
Definition
- Security and law-enforcement for Congress.
Governing Phrase
“Protecting the Congress.”
Portal: https://www.uscp.gov/
Government Accountability Office (GAO)
Definition
- Independent, nonpartisan auditing and evaluation for Congress.
Governing Phrase
“Fact-based, nonpartisan, reliable.”
Portal: https://www.gao.gov/
Congressional Budget Office (CBO)
Definition
- Budgetary and economic analysis for Congress.
Governing Phrase
“Objective, impartial, timely.”
Portal: https://www.cbo.gov/
II. Executive Branch
The White House
Definition
- Official residence and principal workplace of the President.
Governing Phrase
“The People’s House.”
Portal: https://www.whitehouse.gov/
Executive Office of the President (EOP) — Key Components
- Office of Management and Budget (OMB) — budget, performance, regulatory review.
Portal: https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/ - National Security Council (NSC) — national security and foreign-policy coordination.
Portal: https://www.whitehouse.gov/nsc/ - Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) — economic analysis and advice.
Portal: https://www.whitehouse.gov/cea/ - Office of Science & Technology Policy (OSTP) — science/tech policy leadership.
Portal: https://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/ - United States Trade Representative (USTR) — trade policy and negotiations.
Portal: https://ustr.gov/ - Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) — environmental policy coordination (NEPA).
Portal: https://www.whitehouse.gov/ceq/
Cabinet Departments (with key agencies & public portals)
Each department includes a small set of the most-used public portals (not the deep tier; we can drill down later).
Department of State (DOS)
Definition
- Foreign affairs, diplomacy, passports/visas.
Key Portals
- State (HQ): https://www.state.gov/
- Passports & travel: https://travel.state.gov/
- Visas (CEAC): https://ceac.state.gov/
Governing Phrase
“Diplomacy in action.”
Department of the Treasury
Definition
- Federal finance, sanctions, debt, currency.
Key Portals
- Treasury (HQ): https://home.treasury.gov/
- IRS (taxpayers): https://www.irs.gov/
- US Mint: https://www.usmint.gov/
- BEP (currency printing): https://www.bep.gov/
- OCC (bank supervision): https://www.occ.treas.gov/
- Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN): https://www.fincen.gov/
- OFAC (sanctions): https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/office-of-foreign-assets-control
Governing Phrase
“Managing America’s finances.”
Department of Defense (DoD)
Definition
- National defense, military policy, armed forces.
Key Portals
- DoD (HQ): https://www.defense.gov/
- Army: https://www.army.mil/
- Navy: https://www.navy.mil/
- Air Force: https://www.af.mil/
- Marine Corps: https://www.marines.mil/
- Space Force: https://www.spaceforce.mil/
- National Guard: https://www.nationalguard.mil/
- Tricare: https://www.tricare.mil/
Governing Phrase
“Defending our nation.”
Department of Justice (DOJ)
Definition
- Federal law enforcement, prosecutions, civil enforcement.
Key Portals
- DOJ (HQ): https://www.justice.gov/
- FBI: https://www.fbi.gov/
- DEA: https://www.dea.gov/
- ATF: https://www.atf.gov/
- U.S. Marshals Service: https://www.usmarshals.gov/
- Bureau of Prisons (BOP): https://www.bop.gov/
- EOIR (immigration courts): https://www.justice.gov/eoir
Governing Phrase
“Equal justice under law.”
Department of the Interior (DOI)
Definition
- Public lands, resources, Indian affairs, wildlife.
Key Portals
- Interior (HQ): https://www.doi.gov/
- National Park Service: https://www.nps.gov/
- U.S. Geological Survey: https://www.usgs.gov/
- Fish & Wildlife Service: https://www.fws.gov/
- Bureau of Land Management: https://www.blm.gov/
- Bureau of Indian Affairs: https://www.bia.gov/
- Bureau of Reclamation: https://www.usbr.gov/
- BOEM (Offshore Energy): https://www.boem.gov/
Governing Phrase
“Protecting America’s great outdoors and heritage.”
Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Definition
- Farming, food, nutrition, rural development, forestry.
Key Portals
- USDA (HQ): https://www.usda.gov/
- Forest Service: https://www.fs.usda.gov/
- NRCS: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/
- APHIS: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/
- FSIS (food safety): https://www.fsis.usda.gov/
- FNS (SNAP/WIC): https://www.fns.usda.gov/
- Rural Development: https://www.rd.usda.gov/
- Agricultural Research Service: https://www.ars.usda.gov/
Governing Phrase
“Do right and feed everyone.”
Department of Commerce (DOC)
Definition
- Economic growth, trade, technology, data and weather.
Key Portals
- Commerce (HQ): https://www.commerce.gov/
- Census Bureau: https://www.census.gov/
- Bureau of Economic Analysis: https://www.bea.gov/
- USPTO: https://www.uspto.gov/
- NIST: https://www.nist.gov/
- NOAA: https://www.noaa.gov/
- International Trade Administration: https://www.trade.gov/
Governing Phrase
“Creating conditions for economic growth.”
Department of Labor (DOL)
Definition
- Workers, wages, safety, benefits.
Key Portals
- Labor (HQ): https://www.dol.gov/
- OSHA: https://www.osha.gov/
- BLS (labor statistics): https://www.bls.gov/
- Wage & Hour (WHD): https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd
- ETA (employment & training): https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta
Governing Phrase
“For the welfare of the wage earner.”
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Definition
- Public health, healthcare, research, human services.
Key Portals
- HHS (HQ): https://www.hhs.gov/
- CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/
- FDA: https://www.fda.gov/
- CMS (Medicare/Medicaid): https://www.cms.gov/
- Medicare: https://www.medicare.gov/
- NIH: https://www.nih.gov/
- SAMHSA: https://www.samhsa.gov/
- HRSA: https://www.hrsa.gov/
- AHRQ: https://www.ahrq.gov/
- ACL: https://acl.gov/
- OIG-HHS: https://oig.hhs.gov/
Governing Phrase
“Improving the health, safety, and well-being of America.”
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Definition
- Housing policy, fair housing, community development.
Key Portals
- HUD (HQ): https://www.hud.gov/
- FHA: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/housing/fhahistory
- CDBG: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/comm_planning
Governing Phrase
“Strong, sustainable, inclusive communities.”
Department of Transportation (DOT)
Definition
- Aviation, highways, rail, maritime, safety.
Key Portals
- DOT (HQ): https://www.transportation.gov/
- FAA: https://www.faa.gov/
- FHWA: https://highways.dot.gov/
- FRA (rail): https://railroads.dot.gov/
- FMCSA (motor carriers): https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/
- FTA (transit): https://www.transit.dot.gov/
- MARAD (maritime): https://www.maritime.dot.gov/
- NHTSA (road safety): https://www.nhtsa.gov/
- PHMSA (pipelines/hazmat): https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/
Governing Phrase
“America’s transportation leader.”
Department of Energy (DOE)
Definition
- Energy policy, national labs, nuclear security (via NNSA).
Key Portals
- DOE (HQ): https://www.energy.gov/
- EIA (energy data): https://www.eia.gov/
- ARPA-E: https://arpa-e.energy.gov/
- NNSA: https://www.energy.gov/nnsa
Governing Phrase
“Powering and securing America’s future.”
Department of Education (ED)
Definition
- Federal education policy, civil rights, student aid.
Key Portals
- ED (HQ): https://www.ed.gov/
- StudentAid.gov (FSA): https://studentaid.gov/
Governing Phrase
“Promoting student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness.”
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Definition
- Veteran healthcare, benefits, memorials.
Key Portals
- VA (HQ): https://www.va.gov/
- My HealtheVet: https://www.myhealth.va.gov/
Governing Phrase
“Serving those who served.”
Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Definition
- Border security, immigration services, disaster response, cybersecurity.
Key Portals
- DHS (HQ): https://www.dhs.gov/
- U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS): https://www.uscis.gov/
- Customs & Border Protection (CBP): https://www.cbp.gov/
- Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE): https://www.ice.gov/
- Transportation Security Administration (TSA): https://www.tsa.gov/
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): https://www.fema.gov/
- U.S. Coast Guard (USCG): https://www.uscg.mil/
- Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA): https://www.cisa.gov/
Governing Phrase
“Safeguarding the American people.”
III. Judicial Branch
Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS)
Definition
- Highest federal court; constitutional interpretation; final appellate jurisdiction.
Portal: https://www.supremecourt.gov/
U.S. Courts of Appeals (13 Circuits)
Definition
- Intermediate appellate review of district/specialized courts and agencies.
Portal: https://www.uscourts.gov/
U.S. District Courts
Definition
- Federal trial courts of general jurisdiction.
Portal: https://www.uscourts.gov/
U.S. Bankruptcy Courts
Definition
- Federal bankruptcy jurisdiction: liquidation, reorganization, relief.
Portal: https://www.uscourts.gov/services-forms/bankruptcy
U.S. Court of Federal Claims
Definition
- Monetary claims against the U.S. (contracts, takings, tax refunds).
Portal: https://www.uscfc.uscourts.gov/
U.S. Tax Court
Definition
- Independent tax adjudication; disputes with IRS.
Portal: https://www.ustaxcourt.gov/
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces (CAAF)
Definition
- Highest appellate court for military justice (UCMJ).
Portal: https://www.armfor.uscourts.gov/
U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC)
Definition
- Judicial review of VA benefits determinations.
Portal: https://www.uscourts.cavc.gov/
IV. Independent Agencies & Government Corporations
Full profiles for several cornerstone bodies, followed by an extended A–Z hotlink index for breadth.
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
Definition
- Civilian foreign intelligence: collection, analysis, covert action.
Portal: https://www.cia.gov/
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Definition
- Environmental standards, enforcement, research.
Portal: https://www.epa.gov/
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Definition
- Civil space exploration, science, aeronautics.
Portal: https://www.nasa.gov/
National Archives & Records Administration (NARA)
Definition
- Custody of federal records; Presidential libraries.
Portal: https://www.archives.gov/
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Definition
- Consumer protection; competition policy.
Portal: https://www.ftc.gov/
Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC)
Definition
- Securities markets; investor protection.
Portal: https://www.sec.gov/
Federal Reserve System (The Fed)
Definition
- Central bank; monetary policy; bank supervision.
Portal: https://www.federalreserve.gov/
Small Business Administration (SBA)
Definition
- Loans, counseling, contracting support for small business.
Portal: https://www.sba.gov/
Amtrak (NRPC)
Definition
- Intercity passenger rail service.
Portal: https://www.amtrak.com/
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
Definition
- Federally owned utility; power, flood control, development.
Portal: https://www.tva.gov/
Social Security Administration (SSA)
Definition
- Retirement, disability, survivors, and SSI programs.
Portal: https://www.ssa.gov/
General Services Administration (GSA)
Definition
- Federal property, acquisition, and shared services (incl. SAM.gov).
Portals: https://www.gsa.gov/ • https://sam.gov/
Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
Definition
- Federal workforce policy and benefits.
Portal: https://www.opm.gov/
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Definition
- Independent basic research funding across science/engineering.
Portal: https://www.nsf.gov/
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
Definition
- Civilian nuclear safety and licensing.
Portal: https://www.nrc.gov/
Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)
Definition
- Derivatives markets oversight.
Portal: https://www.cftc.gov/
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Definition
- Interstate and international communications regulation.
Portal: https://www.fcc.gov/
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
Definition
- Consumer financial products/services oversight.
Portal: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
Definition
- Independent accident investigation (aviation, rail, highway, marine, pipeline).
Portal: https://www.ntsb.gov/
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
Definition
- Employment discrimination enforcement.
Portal: https://www.eeoc.gov/
Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB)
Definition
- Protects federal merit system; appeals for federal employees.
Portal: https://www.mspb.gov/
U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC)
Definition
- Whistleblower protections; Hatch Act enforcement.
Portal: https://osc.gov/
Office of Government Ethics (OGE)
Definition
- Executive branch ethics policy and oversight.
Portal: https://www.oge.gov/
U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC)
Definition
- Development finance; successor to OPIC.
Portal: https://www.dfc.gov/
Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM)
Definition
- Official export credit agency.
Portal: https://www.exim.gov/
U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC)
Definition
- Trade investigations; tariff and competitiveness analysis.
Portal: https://www.usitc.gov/
Postal Service (USPS) — Independent Establishment
Definition
- National mail service; logistics network.
Portal: https://www.usps.com/
Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC)
Definition
- Independent postal regulator.
Portal: https://www.prc.gov/
Surface Transportation Board (STB)
Definition
- Economic regulation of freight rail and some pipelines.
Portal: https://www.stb.gov/
Peace Corps
Definition
- Volunteer service abroad for development and mutual understanding.
Portal: https://www.peacecorps.gov/
Corporation for National & Community Service (AmeriCorps)
Definition
- National service programs and grants.
Portal: https://americorps.gov/
U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM)
Definition
- Oversees independent U.S. international broadcasting (VOA, etc.).
Portal: https://www.usagm.gov/
National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
Definition
- Grants for artistic excellence and access.
Portal: https://www.arts.gov/
National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)
Definition
- Grants for humanities education, preservation, public programs.
Portal: https://www.neh.gov/
Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
Definition
- Grants to museums and libraries; cultural infrastructure.
Portal: https://www.imls.gov/
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
Definition
- Product safety standards and recalls.
Portal: https://www.cpsc.gov/
Federal Election Commission (FEC)
Definition
- Campaign finance disclosure and enforcement.
Portal: https://www.fec.gov/
National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)
Definition
- Labor-management relations; collective bargaining.
Portal: https://www.nlrb.gov/
Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA)
Definition
- Federal labor-management relations (public sector).
Portal: https://www.flra.gov/
Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS)
Definition
- Mediation and conflict resolution for labor disputes.
Portal: https://www.fmcs.gov/
Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)
Definition
- Benefits for railroad workers and families.
Portal: https://www.rrb.gov/
Denser A–Z Index (additional notable independents & commissions — hotlinks)
- American Battle Monuments Commission — https://www.abmc.gov/
- Chemical Safety & Hazard Investigation Board — https://www.csb.gov/
- Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board — https://www.dnfsb.gov/
- Election Assistance Commission (EAC) — https://www.eac.gov/
- Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) — https://www.fdic.gov/
- Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) — https://www.ferc.gov/
- Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) — https://www.fhfa.gov/
- Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) — https://www.fmc.gov/
- Federal Mine Safety & Health Review Commission — https://www.fmshrc.gov/
- Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (TSP) — https://www.frtib.gov/ • https://www.tsp.gov/
- Institute of Peace (USIP) — https://www.usip.org/
- Marine Mammal Commission — https://www.mmc.gov/
- Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) — https://www.mcc.gov/
- National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) — https://www.ncua.gov/
- National Mediation Board (NMB) — https://nmb.gov/
- National Railroad Adjustment Board (NRAB) — https://www.nmb.gov/services/arbitration/nrab/
- National Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA) — https://www.ntia.gov/
- Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC) — https://www.oshrc.gov/
- Overseas Private Investment Corporation (legacy) — (Replaced by DFC) https://www.dfc.gov/
- Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB) — https://www.pclob.gov/
- Selective Service System — https://www.sss.gov/
- U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) — https://www.csb.gov/
- U.S. Trade & Development Agency (USTDA) — https://www.ustda.gov/
- U.S. Access Board — https://www.access-board.gov/
What’s Next (Deep-Tier Build)
- Drill down inside each department and independent to list every bureau, office, center, and system with hotlinks (e.g., BOP, OFAC, FinCEN, OBIM, CISA subprograms, etc.).
- Output as Department → Agency → Office hierarchy (A–Z per tier), ensuring login or service portals are first-class links.