1. How are national laws administered in the American Constitutional System?
Lesson 24

2. Bureaucracy The general set-up of government
Bureaucracy refers to the actions of committees, agencies, and leaders.
This includes the rules and regulations they must follow in the process of carrying out their duties.
Sometimes referred to as the step by step process someone has to take
Red Tape: Excessive regulation

3. Executive Department
The President’s cabinet consists of 15 different departments.
The leader of each department reports directly to the President.
Departments have been created as issues have arisen in the country.
WWII = Department of Defense
Each department focuses on a specific topic, and handles that situation

4. Departments In order of creation: State Treasury Interior Justice
Agriculture
Commerce
Labor
Defense
Housing and Urban Development
Transportation
Energy
Education
Health and Human Services
Veteran’s Affairs
Homeland Security

5. Executive Office of the President
Created during Roosevelt’s time
Is there to help the president run the country more efficiently
Many see these offices in a negative way, because they feel that the president uses the offices to have more control over the country

6. Independent Agencies
Independent agencies are “quasi” in the sense that they have partial powers like the national government.
They can create regulations for their particular area.
Interstate commerce commission
FBI
U.S. Postal Service

7. Organizations
Are created so vague laws can be administered in specific situations
Organizations have the “quasi” powers to help them regulate
Quasi-legislative: The ability to create more specific laws for their specific organization
Quasi-Judicial: Can hold hearings for those issues within their jurisdiction
O.S.H.A. can hold hearing on worker’s safety

8. Staff
The vast majority of administrative civilian employees are selected through a civil service program
A system that runs on merit
Some agency jobs are given on patronage (rewarding supporters by giving them permanent jobs in the civil service
The government is the largest employer in the United States. There are roughly 2,500 agencies.

9. Checks on agencies
By the President: President will appoint people based on their loyalty. President can also give executive orders which give specific instructions to department heads
By Congress: Can consolidate, create, and eliminate agencies.
By Courts: determine if agencies are following due process (14th Amendment)

10. Checks on agencies
By Federalist system (Federalism): States can go their own route when acting on situations.
Citizens, interest groups, and the media: Can voice complaints, and alert the public