AP Gov Unit 2c (Bureaucracy)

Administrative Adjunction

Judicial process by which federal bureaucratic agencies resolve disputes over rule and legislative implementation

Administrative Rule Making

Process by which executive branch agencies create binding regulations that implement, interpret, or enforce laws passed by Congress

Appropriations/Appropriations Law

Congress allocates specific federal funds for designated agency programs, serving as a key tool for bureaucratic oversight

Authorization Law

Statute passed by Congress establishing, continuing, or modifying a federal agency, program, or project

• Does NOT provide funding

Authorization of Spending

Specific provision within authorization legislation that sets the maximum allowable budget for a program/agency/project

Bureaucracy

“4th branch” of US Government

• Implement and enforces public policy

• Cabinet departments, agencies

Bureaucratic Structure

Hierarchial, non-elected administrative system

• Experts assigned to specific policy areas

Bureaucrats

Experts tasked with specific duties within specific policy areas

Civil Servants/Service

Non-elected, permanent governnment employees within Federal bureaucracy

Civil Service Commission

Federal agency designed to create a merit-based hiring system

• Replaced patronage/spoils syetem

Civil Service Reform Act (1978)

Modernized and replaced Civil Service Com. with Office of Personnel Management

• Enforced merit-based hiring

• Established Senior Executive Service

Competitive Service

Federal civil service positions filled through a merit-based competitive process (education, exams, experience) administrated by the Office of Personnel Management

Compliance Monitoring

Process where federal bureaucracy agencies ensure that corporations, state/local governments, organizations, etc adhere to regulations, laws, and guidelines

Conflict of Interest

When an official’s personal interests/opinions on something important contrast to their professional responsibilities

• Potentially biasing decisions

Contracting-Out

Government agencies higher private, for-profit organizations to provide public services/produce resources

• Ex: Defense/weapons equipment

Discretionary Authority

Power granted to Congress by Federal bureaucratic agencies to interpret legislation and make decisions on how to best Implement laws

Excepted Service

Category of federal civil service positions not part of competitive service/Senior Executive Service

Executive Departments (Cabinet)

15 primary departments

• Responsible for implementing laws, administering policy, and providing public services

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

Principal investigative arm of the Department of Justice and primary federal law enforcement agency

• Violations of federal law, national security threats, providing support for state and local authorities

Federal Employees Political Activities Act or Hatch Act (1939)

Distanced civil service (federal and state) employees paid with federal funds from politics

• Create nonpartisan, politically neutral civil service

Freedom of Information Act

Allows anyone to request access to records from federal executive branch agencies

• Promoting government transparency and accountability

Government Corperation

Hybrid bureaucratic entities created by Congress to provide services (often for a fee) that can be handled by a private sector

• More independent than cabinet departments

Independant Administrative Agency

Responsible for narrowly defined function (specific, often technical areas), operating outside of traditional executive branch

• More subject to presidential influence than commissioners

• Led by multi-member commissions with bipartisan, staggered terms

• Cannot be removed by the president without "cause"

• Ex: Social Security Administration (SSA), NASA, Peace Corps

Independant Regulatory Commissions

Responsible for developing standards of behavior within specific Industries and business, monitoring compliance with the standards, and imposing sanctions on violators

• “Watchdog”

• More isolated from executive than Administrative

• Ex: Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Federal Reserve, Food and Drug Adminis Trade Commission (FTC)

Inspectors General

Independent, nonpartisan officials within federal agencies tasked with investigating to detect and prevent fraud waste abuse and mismanagment

Iron Triangle

Relationship between Congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups

Issue Networks

Alliance of different interest groups/individuals who unite to promote a common cause/genda in a way that influences government policy

Legislative Veto

Provision allowing Congress to nullify executive branch actions without presidential signature

Merit System

Hiring based on qualification, experience, and performance rather than patronage

• Competitive written exams for many job applicants

National Preformance Review (NPR)

Initiative to reform federal bureaucracy by making it more efficient and consumer-focused

• “Work better and cost less”

Office of Personnel Management

Federal government’s resource department (HR)

• Hiring for bureaucracy, runes merit system and coordinates federal job application process

Office of Information & Regulatory Affairs

Within Office of Management and Budget, reviews federal regulations, cost-benefit analysis, and info collection requests

• Ensures agency actions align with Presidential priorites

Oversight (Congressional)

Monitor, supervise, and hold federal agencies accountable

• Involves hearings, reports, and “power of the purse” to check agency discretion

Patronage/Spoils System

Practice of rewarding loyal party leaders with federal jobs

• Connections!

Pendleton Civil Service Act

Created the merit system

• Passed in reaction to Garfield assassination (loyal supporter not given important job, wanted revenge)

• Civil Service Commission oversees process

Plum Book

Lists 8,000+ federal service leadership and support jobs available for Presidential appointments

Red Tape

Excesive/ridgit bureaucratic regulations and procedures that hinder efficent decision-making and action

Power of the Purse

Gives Congress exclusive authority to raise revenue and authorize federal spending

Senior Executive Service

Unique personnel system for top managerial, supervising, and policy positions

• Less job security, but higher pay than merit civil service system

Shadow Bureaucrats

Employees of private for-profit or non-profit organizations that implement public policy through government contracts rather than receiving government paychecks

Sunset Clause

Automatic expiration date included within a statute or regulation that compels legistlators to review/reauthorize

Sunshine Act

Requires most meetings of multi-member Federal agencies to be open for public observation

• Transparency and accountability

Sunshine Laws

regulations requiring government agencies to conduct meetings, hold hearings, and maintain records open to public inspection

Whistleblower

Federal employee who discloses information about illegal, unethical, or dangerous activities within government agencies/organizations

• Fraud, waste, abuse of authority

Whistleblower Protection Act

Protects whistleblowers from being fired, targeted, etc