Chapter 15: Bureaucracy

Federal Bureaucracy

Composed of departments, agencies, commissions, and government corporations that implement policy by: i. Writing and enforcing regulations ii. Issuing fines iii. Testifying before Congress iv. Forming iron triangles v. Creating issue networks ; discretionary power as delegated by Congress to interpret and implement policies ; through their rulemaking authority, federal bureaucratic agencies utilize their discretion to create and enforce regulations.

Executive Department

One of the principal units of the executive branch and administrative arms of the President ; headed by a secretary appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate and serve at the pleasure of the President (can be removed for cause) ; e.g. Department of Homeland Security, Department of Transportation, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Education

Cabinet

An advisory body to the President made up of the heads of the 15 executive departments and the Vice President.

Department of Homeland Security

Responsible for public security, including anti-terrorism, border security, and disaster management.

Department of Transportation

Responsible for managing and administering public transportation and infrastructure projects.

Department of Veterans Affairs

Responsible for providing and managing healthcare and financial benefits for military veterans.

Department of Education

Responsible for government education programs and educational financial aid.

Executive Agency

An agency established outside the Executive Office of the President or executive departments designed for managerial and administrative functions as enacted by congressional legislation ; e.g. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Responsible for environmental-related programs and policies to protect human health.

Independent Regulatory Agency / Commission

An agency established to oversee and regulate a specific industry or sector and are delegated rulemaking authority ; heads of commissions can only be removed for cause and insulated from presidential control ; e.g. Federal Elections Commission (FEC), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Federal Reserve.

Federal Elections Commission (FEC)

Responsible for enforcement of campaign finance laws in federal elections.

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

Responsible for enforcement of laws to protect financial markets, investors, and capital formation.

Government Corporation

An agency established to provide a market-oriented public service, owned by the federal government and operated as a private business ; e.g. United States Postal Service, AMTRAK, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)

Issue Network

Temporary coalitions that form to promote a common issue or agenda.

Iron Triangle

Alliances of congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups in specific policy areas.

Merit System

Prioritizes hiring and promotion based on professionalism and specialization.

Patronage

Bureaucratic jobs that are politically appointed.

Competitive Service

Government offices appointed based on merit, through a written exam or selection criteria.

Name-request Job

A job filled by a person whom an agency has already identified.

Rule-making Authority

The ability of federal bureaucratic agencies to create and enforce regulations.

Government by Proxy

Washington pays state and local governments and private groups to administer federal programs.

Laissez-faire

An economic theory that government should not regulate or interfere with commerce.

Authorization Legislation

Legislative permission to begin or continue a government program.

Appropriation

A legislative grant of money to finance a government program.

Trust Funds

Funds collected and spent outside the regular government budget.

Committee Clearance

The ability of a congressional committee to review and approve agency decisions in advance.

Red Tape

Complex bureaucratic rules and procedures that must be followed to get something done.

Regulation

A set of requirements issued by a federal bureaucratic agency to implement laws.

Issue Network

A network of Washington, D.C.--based interest groups, on congressional staffs, in universities and think tanks, and in the mass media, who regularly discuss and advocate public policies.