What you need to be able to do after teaching yourself this info... Explain two reasons why Congress gives federal agencies policy-making discretion in executing federal laws. Describe two ways in which Congress ensures that federal agencies follow legislative intent. Give two specific explanations for the failure of Congress to exercise effective oversight of the federal bureaucracy

Perceptions of the Bureaucracy?  Inefficient  Massive and growing  Wasteful

The Federal Bureaucracy

What is the Bureaucracy?  Bureaucracy (Bureau = desk, cracy = governmental rule) Large, complex administrative structure Hierarchical organization Job specialization and complex rules  A bureaucrat is a person with defined roles in a bureaucracy

I. Major Elements of the Federal Bureaucracy  Nearly all of Federal Bureaucracy resides in the executive branch  Consists of 3 groups of administrative agencies: Executive Office of the President The Cabinet Independent Agencies

I. Major Elements of the Federal Bureaucracy  The President’s ‘Administration’ consists of the officials and agencies of the executive branch that carry out public policy  Public policy carried out in the following ways: By writing rules and regulations  Administrative Discretion By enforcing such rules, regulations, and laws  Street Level Bureaucrats

II. Working for the Bureaucracy  Approximately 4 million federal bureaucrats Originally appointed through the spoils system and patronage  Pendleton Act (1883)  competitive examinations Civil Service Exam  Salaries are proposed by Civil Service System – approved by Congress

II. Working for the Bureaucracy  Hatch Act (1939) – amended in 1993 Prohibits civil servants from active participation in partisan politics May still vote, contribute to campaigns, etc. Civil Service Reform Act of 1978  Creation of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) The Plum Book

III. Formal Organization  The Cabinet Head of each department is known as “Secretary” – except Dept. of Justice (Attorney General) Divided into bureaus, divisions, etc.  Transportation Security Agency  Dept. of Homeland Security  Government Corporations Businesses established by Congress  provide services normally handled in private sector Top officers appointed by POTUS  All employees are public officials  U.S. Postal Service

III. Formal Organization  Independent Executive Agencies Exist outside of executive departments  SUPPOSED to be free from political influence  National Science Foundation,NASA, Peace Corps  Independent Regulatory Commissions Regulate a specific economic activity or interest  operate outside of presidential control  EPA, Federal Reserve Board, Federal Communications Commission, National Labor Relations Board, etc.

IV. How the Bureaucracy Works Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)…often labeled ‘red tape’. Administrative Discretion  right to choose response a given problem

IV. How the Bureaucracy Works  Responsible for Regulation Authority to change or control practices in the private sector (Business/Economy) Rule-Making  quasi-legislative process that has characteristics of a law  Interstate Commerce Commission, NHTSA (car safety standards), factory emissions standards, etc. Deregulation  Lifting of government regulations (rules)

IV. How the Bureaucracy Works  Making it Work Iron Triangles (pg. 498)  bureaucratic agency, interest groups, and congressional committees Issue Networks  wider groups that have issue interests, challenge the workings of triangles and can change them, open them

V. Bureaucratic Accountability  Presidential Checks Appoint heads of departments Have the power to reorganize agency (w/Congressional approval) Issue Executive Orders  Rules or regulations written by the POTUS with the effect of law Office of Management and Budget (OMB)  Executive “watchdog” of the bureaucracy and its budget

V. Bureaucratic Accountability  Congressional Checks “Power of the Purse” ‘Police Patrol’ oversight v. ‘Fire Alarm’ oversight  Setting agenda of the bureaucracy v. reacting to constituent complaints (proactive vs. reactive) Government Accountability Office (GAO)  Created to track monies spent by the bureaucracy AND the executive  Judicial Checks Issue injunctions  restricting activity of bureaucratic agencies Rule on the constitutionality of rules and guidelines of bureaucracy

Can you do this? Explain two reasons why Congress gives federal agencies policy-making discretion in executing federal laws. Describe two ways in which Congress ensures that federal agencies follow legislative intent. Give two specific explanations for the failure of Congress to exercise effective oversight of the federal bureaucracy