United States State Department

The Secretary of State is a senior official of the federal government of the United States of America heading the U.S. Department of State, principally concerned with foreign policy. The Secretary of State is nominated by the President of the United States and, following a confirmation hearing before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, is confirmed by the United States Senate. The Secretary of State, along with the Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary of Defense, and Secretary of Elections are generally regarded as the four most important Cabinet members because of the importance of their respective departments.

The specific duties of the Secretary of State include:
 * Organizes and supervises the whole community United States Department of State and the United States Foreign Service
 * Advises the President on matters relating to U.S. foreign policy including the appointment of diplomatic representatives to other nations and on the acceptance or dismissal of representatives from other nations
 * Participates in high-level negotiations with other countries, either bilaterally or as part of an international conference or organization or appoints representatives to do so including negotiation of international treaties and other agreements
 * Responsible for overall direction, coordination, and supervision of interdepartmental activities of the U.S. Government overseas
 * Providing information and services to U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad, including providing credentials in the form of passports and visas
 * Ensures the protection of the U.S. Government to American citizens, property, and interests in foreign countries
 * Supervises the United States immigration policy abroad
 * Communicates issues relating the United States foreign policy to Congress and to U.S. citizens