In addition to the 14 permanent department secretaries, Cabinet meetings might include any of six “as-needed” members, depending on the needs of the president. For instance, in extraordinary cases of disaster and economic recession or when prioritized legislation is being considered, the president may request one or more as-needed attendees like the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, chairperson of the Council of Economic Advisors, US ambassador to the United Nations, White House chief of staff, Office of Management and Budget director, and the US Trade Representative ambassador.
