1. The Federal Bureaucracy
The Executive Branch
The Federal Bureaucracy

2. The Cabinet Departments
The Founders anticipated the need for federal agencies to carry on the daily business of government; currently nearly 3 million civilians work in the federal government
The 15 executive departments, headed by cabinet-rank officers, are a major part of the federal bureaucracy
These departments are headed by secretaries and staffed with assistant secretaries, deputy secretaries, and directors of major units

3. The Cabinet Departments
Two of the four departments created by Congress in 1789 are still among the most important: the Department of State and of the Treasury
The other 13 departments are the Departments of the Interior, Agriculture, Justice, Commerce, Labor, Defense, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, Energy, Education, Veterans Affairs, and Homeland Security

4. Independent Agencies
The federal bureaucracy includes over 100 independent agencies, boards, and commissions, whose heads are appointed by the president
The services of several independent agencies, such as the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), are widely publicized

5. Independent Agencies
Some agencies such as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the General Services Administration, provide services directly for the executive branch
Government corporations are independent agencies that directly serve the public, such as the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the U.S. Postal Service (USPS)

6. Regulatory Commissions
Are independent of all three branches of government
Makes rules for businesses and industries that affect the public interest
Are often under intense pressures from the groups they regulate and their lobbyists
Have become more limited in their powers because critics have complained that they over-regulate the economy

7. The Civil Service System
Only 11% of all federal government employees work in Washington, D.C; many work in offices throughout the U.S. and the world

8. Origins
Government jobs became a spoils system under President Andrew Jackson (7); victorious candidates rewarded political supporters and friends with jobs
The spoils system led to inefficiency and corruption in government

9. Origins Calls for reform started in the 1850s
The assassination of President Garfield (20) by a disappointed office seeker led to the Pendleton Act of 1883, establishing the present civil service system based on competitive examinations and merit

10. The Civil System Today…
Applicants for federal jobs are evaluated on the basis of their experience and training
Government jobs are attractive because they offer many benefits
Government workers, unlike most private sector workers, have more job security and are often more difficult to fire

11. The Civil System Today…
The Hatch Act of 1939 was intended to prevent political parties from using federal workers to aid in election campaigns; in recent years critics have argued for and against this law, with workers now permitted some involvement in politics

12. Influencing Policy
Policy consists of all the actions and decisions taken or not taken by the government
Federal bureaucrats carry out policy decision made by the president and Congress
The bureaucracy often determines what the law means through the rules and regulations it issues

13. Influencing Policy
In 1995 Congress set paperwork reductions goals for future years: early efforts for “going green”
Bureaucrats aid in shaping policy by helping Congress draft its new laws or by providing ideas for legislations
Workers in federal agencies shape policy by their decisions about the application of rules and regulations and by hearing disputes

14. Influencing Policy
Bureaucrats also supply advice and information to top decision makers, influencing whether an agency supports or opposes certain policies
What are the advantages and disadvantages of having federal bureaucrats influence policy decisions?