1. Independent Agencies & Regulatory Commissions

2. Independent Agencies
Independent Agencies- help the president carry out the duties of office
Separate from executive departments- perform specialized duties that do not often fit within executive departments
Some agencies serve all executive departments
Function best as separate and independent organizations

3. Independent Agencies 65+ independent agencies
All of which were created by Congress to perform a specific job
U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
Farm Credit Administration
Small Business Administration
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Several independent agencies assist the entire federal government
Office of Personnel Management
General Services Administration

4. Regulatory Commissions
Regulatory Commissions- independent agencies that have the power to bring violators of their policies to court (they regulate stuff!)
Federal Election Commission (FEC) enforces election laws, controls funding and finances in elections
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSP) sets and enforces safety standards for consumer products
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) enforces laws that regulate the buying and selling of stocks and bonds (protects individual Americans’ investments)
National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) helps enforce labor laws and prevents unfair labor practices among businesses

5. Who runs the regulatory commissions?
Heads of regulatory commissions and independent agencies are appointed by the president
Presidential appointments are then approved by the Senate
These officials serve very long terms- one president will never appoint more than few commission leaders
Keeps agencies and commissions from being too influenced by party politics

6. Who runs the regulatory committees?
Some criticize that the regulatory commissions have too much power
They over-regulate or interfere too much
Other people defend regulatory commissions
Regulations are needed to protect the public
What do you think?

7. The federal bureaucracy
Federal Bureaucracy- the departments and agencies that make up the executive branch
Approx. 3 million people
Rules and regulations sometimes lead to bureaucratic delays, or “red tape”
Dealing with govt. agencies takes a lot of time and you may be bounced from department to department before getting the help you need
Nonetheless, the bureaucracy helps keep the executive branch functioning

8. ?
What are independent agencies? Give three examples of independent agencies.
What are regulatory commissions? Give three examples of regulatory commissions.
How do independent agencies and regulatory commissions avoid being influenced by party politics?
Why do people criticize independent agencies and regulatory commissions? Why do some people defend them?
What is the federal bureaucracy?