THE FEDERAL BUREACRACY Examining the “Fourth Branch”

Characteristics of a Bureaucracy administration of government through departments consists of unelected often highly trained professionals task specialization hierarchical authority

Public Perceptions of Bureaucracies impersonal inclined to follow rigid or complex procedures may stifle effectiveness and innovation “red tape”

The Federal Bureaucracy What is the federal bureaucracy?

The Federal Bureaucracy is:  4 million employees; 2.8 million are civilians or “civil servants”  President only appoints 3% (patronage or political appointments)  15 cabinet level departments  200+ independent agencies with 2,000+ bureaus, divisions, branches, etc.  Biggest - Dept. of Defense, U.S. Postal Service, Veterans Administration  4 million employees; 2.8 million are civilians or “civil servants”  President only appoints 3% (patronage or political appointments)  15 cabinet level departments  200+ independent agencies with 2,000+ bureaus, divisions, branches, etc.  Biggest - Dept. of Defense, U.S. Postal Service, Veterans Administration

The Federal Bureaucracy What does the federal bureaucracy do?

Functions of the Federal Bureaucracy 1. Implementation 1. Implementation - carry out laws of Congress, executive orders of the President 2. Administration 2. Administration - routine administrative work; provide services (ex: SSA sends social security checks to beneficiaries) 3. Regulation 3. Regulation - issue rules and regulations that impact the public (ex: EPA sets clean air standards) Source: 1. Implementation 1. Implementation - carry out laws of Congress, executive orders of the President 2. Administration 2. Administration - routine administrative work; provide services (ex: SSA sends social security checks to beneficiaries) 3. Regulation 3. Regulation - issue rules and regulations that impact the public (ex: EPA sets clean air standards) Source:

The Federal Bureaucracy How is the federal bureaucracy organized?

The Federal Bureaucracy Consists of 1.Cabinet Departments 2.Independent Executive Agencies 3.Independent Regulatory Commissions 4.Government Corporations

Federal Bureaucracy President Congress Executive Office of the President (Ex: OMB, NSC) Government Corporations (Ex: Amtrack, Postal Service) Independent Regulatory Commissions (Ex: FCC, SEC) Independent Executive Agencies (Ex: CIA, NASA) Cabinet Departments (Ex: State, Defense)

Organization of the Federal Bureaucracy Source: Brzovic/policeymakersChapters12-16/

The Cabinet Departments The 15 cabinet departments headed by a cabinet secretary appointed by the president and approved by the Senate Each department “expert” in specific policy area Each department has its own budget Department of Homeland Security, created in 2002, is newest department

Secretary Deputy Secretary Under Secretary Science and Technology Under Secretary Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection Under Secretary Border & Transportation Security Under Secretary Emergency Preparedness and Response Under Secretary Management Inspector General Director of the Secret Service (1) Commandant of Coast Guard (1) Director, Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (1) General Counsel State and Local Coordination Special Assistant to the Secretary (private sector) National Capital Region Coordination Shared Services Citizenship & Immigration Service Ombudsman (1) Legislative Affairs Public Affairs Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Department of Homeland Security Chief of Staff Privacy Officer Executive Secretary International Affairs Counter Narcotics Small & Disadvantaged Business Note (1): Effective March 1 st, 2003

Independent Executive Agencies Established by Congress with separate status outside the executive branch Given a specific mandate and generally perform a service function, not a regulatory one. Some examples include: Social Security Administration, CIA, NASA, EPA.

Independent Regulatory Commissions IRCs exist to regulate a specific economic activity or interest such as the Federal Communications Commission (public air waves) or Federal Reserve Board (banking system, money supply) IRCs operate independently from Congress and the President Once appointed and seated, members cannot be removed without cause

Government Corporations Government owned businesses created by Congress May or may not be profitable, but serve a public need Ex: U.S. Postal Service, Amtrak, Tennessee Valley Authority, Corporation for Public Broadcasting

Who works for the federal government?

Who are the “Bureaucrats?” 97% are career government employees Only 10% live in the D.C. area 30% work for the D.O.D. Less than 15% work for social welfare agencies Most are white collar workers: secretaries, clerks, lawyers, inspectors & engineers Civil employees more diverse demographically than Congress

Where do Federal Employees Work? Source: Brzovic/policeymakersChapters12-16/

What Jobs Do Bureaucrats Do? Source: Brzovic/policeymakersChapters12-16/

Who supervises the federal bureaucracy?

The President Supervises the Bureaucracy The President can: appoint & remove agency headsappoint & remove agency heads reorganize the bureaucracyreorganize the bureaucracy issue executive ordersissue executive orders reduce an agency's budgetreduce an agency's budget President Bush speaks about his budget priorities for FY 2007

Congress Oversees the Bureaucracy Congress can: create or abolish agencies & departments cut or reduce funding investigate agency activities hold committee hearings pass legislation that alters an agency's functions influence or even fail to confirm presidential appointments Former FEMA Chief Michael Brown testifies before House committee investigating Hurricane Katrina

Federal Courts Check the Bureaucracy Federal courts can: through judicial review rule on whether the bureaucracy has acted within the law and the U.S. Constitution provide due process for individuals affected by a bureaucratic action Supreme Court of the United States

Thinking Critically 1.Why is the federal bureaucracy often referred to as “the fourth branch?” 2.Some critics believe that the real power in the federal government lies with the federal bureaucracy. To what extent do you believe this is true?