Date: November 19, 2012 Topic: Congressional Oversight of the Bureaucracy. Aim: How does Congress exercise effective and ineffective oversight of the Bureaucracy? Do Now: Multiple Choice Questions.

How did the reading from Heclo impact your thoughts on the bureaucracy? Why?

Methods of Effective Congressional Oversight of Bureaucracy.  Budget control.  Reauthorization/Jurisdiction of agencies.  Setting guidelines for agencies.  Committee hearings.hearings  Sunset Law – expiration date/termination date of a government program.  Casework as a source of information – information that congressmen receive from constituents.  Program evaluation.

Reasons for Oversight Failure  Oversight is labor intensive – need expertise.  Interest groups may encourage Congress to overlook things.  Iron Triangles may foster strong/loyal relationships. Iron Triangles

Independence of the Bureaucracy  Merit System  Merit System – hiring or promotion based on experience, testing, or qualifications (opposite spoils system).  Structure of the Bureaucracy that contributes to independence:  a.) Large – size contributes to bureaucracy acting on its own.  b.) Specialized – people without knowledge on issue makes it difficult to penetrate.  c.) Some positions come with tenure.  d.) Regulatory agencies (SEC) act independently through making sure rules are being followed.

 Complexity of Public Policy Problems that Contribute to Independence:  Specialization.  Delegating authority.  Discretionary authority CLICK.

Constitutional Provisions Used to Check Bureaucracy  Congress  a.) Appropriations – can reward or punish through them.Appropriations  b.) Legislation – can be passed affecting bureaucracy.  c.) Rejection of Presidential appointments to bureaucracy.  d.) Impeachment of executive officials.  Courts  Court rulings can limit bureaucracy – judicial review.  Interest Groups  Lobbying.  Protests.  Media Use.  General Speech.