AP Gov Ch 13-14

bureaucracy

structured administrative system in large organizations using hierarchy, specialization, and fixed rules for consistent, efficient management, delegated authority from Congress

federal bureaucracy

massive, merit-based administrative system within the executive branch, includes the Cabinet departments, independent agencies, regulatory commissions, and government corporations

policy implementation

bureaucracy drafting and enforcing rules to ensure that the laws of the government are being properly and fairly executed

Cabinet

15 departments headed by appointed officials, responsible for advising the president in/managing specific policy areas, each has a budget

regulatory agencies

“alphabet agencies,” create, monitor, and enforce rules (regulations) in specific industries or sectors

government corporations

businesses like the USPS, also corporations created to take over a failed industry or bail out an essential private industry

independent executive agencies

focuses on things like research and government purchasing, created by Congress to operate with autonomy from direct presidential control, often for specific functions like regulation or research, hard to fire the workers

sequestration

if Congress doesn’t pass budget by a certain date, everyone would get their budget cut

oversight committee

ensure agencies spend money appropriately, budget committees pass budget resolutions, appropriations committees pass spending bills (can be standing or formed when there are specific problems)

agencies

Congress makes ___ and gives them money

budget process

-executive agencies give the president budget proposals (President can set asked amounts but Congress gives the money)

-congressional appropriations committees should pass budget by April 15

-Congress creates budget resolution, appropriations committees give each agency money

-President signs it

congressional budget resolution

Congress holds hearing to question executive agency officials about their budget requests, developing a budget plan

continuing resolution

if Congress can’t pass appropriations bills before Oct 1, President must sign ____ to cover funding

reconciliation bill

special procedure to expedite the consideration of mandatory spending and tax legislation (allows Congress to bundle several different provisions from different committees affecting a broad range of programs, majority pass), done when 2 Houses can’t agree

debt

money owed

deficit

spending more than is being taken in

congressional oversight

Congress uses "the power of the purse" (funding) to control agencies. They also hold hearings to grill agency heads

judicial review

Federal courts can overturn agency rules if they are "arbitrary or capricious" or if the agency exceeds the authority granted to it by Congress

discretionary authority

power given to bureaucrats to decide how to implement broad laws

iron triangle

three-way, self-reinforcing relationship that can make it very hard for outside reformers to change policy (Congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, interest groups)

patronage/spoils system

jobs given to political supporters as rewards

meritocracy/civil service

instituted by Chester A. Arthur who took over after Garfield, federal jobs given on exams and qualifications, Pendleton Act

Hatch Act

prohibits civil service employees from actively participating in partisan politics while on duty to protect civil service workers from partisan politics and thus the possibility of losing their job when the next administration comes into power

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

independent regulatory commission (insulated from politics), regulates the stock market, protects investors, and prevents fraud

congressional committees

provide funding to bureaucratic agencies (legislative branch)

bureaucratic agencies

implement regulations favoring interest groups

interest group

provide Congressional campaign donations and advocate for specific policies