Chapter 15 Sections 4-5

Independent Agencies Located outside the cabinets 150 agencies NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) Similar to number of agencies in Dept of Defense

Independent Agencies Social Security Administration Largest agency Employs more that 65,000 employees Largest budget

Why do They exist General Services Administration Building and operating public buildings Congress gave independent status Protect from influence of partisan and pressure politics Most are only “independent” They are not located in the 15 cabinet dept. Not independent of the President or executive branch

Independent Executive Agencies NSA, GSA, EPA the three largest Set up just like the cabinets Only big difference is that they do not have cabinet status

Independent Regulatory Commissions Largely beyond the reach of the presidential direction and control 10 agencies Board of commissioners 5-7 members appointed by the Pres w/ Senate consent Long terms between 4-14 years

Independent Regulatory Commissions Quasi-legislative & quasi- judicial bodies Have certain legislative and judicial like powers When they make rules and regulations

Government Corporations w/in control of executive branch Set up by congress to carryout business like activities Bank of the United States 1791 Little use until WWI Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Amtrak

The Civil Service Employees who perform administrative work for the govt President appoints highest ranking jobs Cabinet departments, independent agencies, and US embassies

Civil Service The Pendleton Act 1883 Laid foundation for present federal civil service system Two categories Classified, Unclassified All hiring for classified based on merit. 90% of employees are in the merit system

Pay and Benefits Women hold half of white-collar federal jobs But only 10% of highest paid positions Congress sets pay for all federal employees Except for the United States Post Office Lower level pay is about the same as the private sector Upper level government cannot compete

Political Activities Hatch Act of 1939 Prevents exceedingly harmful political activities Allowed federal workers to vote in elections Cannot take part in partisan activities Federal Employees Political Activities Act of 1993 New Hatch Voting, help register, contribute money to candidates Participate in campaigns and hold office