Federal Bureaucracy: Departments, Agencies, and Their Roles in Government

What is the federal bureaucracy?

A system of hundreds of distinct departments and agencies that manage government functions.

What role does the US Postal Service play in American lives?

It employs hundreds of thousands and is a noticeable part of daily life.

What is the function of the Federal Communications Commission?

It licenses and oversees the programming of radio and television stations.

How has the federal bureaucracy changed since the 1930s?

It expanded to accommodate evolving perceptions of government functions and duties.

What are executive departments?

Principal administrative and policy-making entities of the executive branch, often referred to as cabinet-level departments.

What percentage of federal government workers are employed by executive departments?

Approximately 60%.

Who is responsible for the executive departments?

Both the president and Congress.

What was the significance of the Departments of State, Treasury, and War established in 1789?

They marked the beginning of the executive departments.

When was the Department of Justice formally constituted?

In 1870.

What prompted the establishment of the Department of the Interior in 1849?

The new territories and responsibilities gained from the Mexican-American War.

What is the goal of the Department of Labor established in 1913?

To reflect the growing significance of organized labor.

What was the purpose of creating the Department of Housing and Urban Development in 1965?

To address social issues following riots and urban unrest.

Why was the Department of Energy established in response to the 1973 Arab oil embargo?

To address fuel shortages and rising prices.

What is the primary responsibility of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)?

To protect the health of Americans and provide social services.

What major programs does HHS oversee?

Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security.

What is the role of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)?

To monitor health patterns, prevent illness outbreaks, and prepare for bioterrorism.

What does the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulate?

Food, food additives, and pharmaceuticals, ensuring their safety for the public.

What is the primary function of the Department of Defense (DOD)?

To supervise the U.S. armed forces tasked with defending the country.

What was the original structure of the Department of War established in 1789?

It included several smaller departments overseeing distinct branches of the armed forces.

What was established by Congress in 1947 to unify military branches?

The Department of Defense (DOD)

How many people does the DOD employ in the National Guard and Reserve?

Around 800,000 people

What is the projected budget of the DOD for 2017?

$580 billion

What percentage of the DOD budget is made up of housing and salary?

Approximately one-third

What was the purpose of establishing the Department of Homeland Security in 2003?

To reorganize operations to prevent additional attacks on American territory

What major agencies are included under the Department of Homeland Security?

The U.S. Coast Guard and the Secret Service

What is the role of independent agencies in the federal bureaucracy?

They function independently of the executive departments and handle complex situations requiring specialized knowledge.

What agency was created by Congress in 1970 to address environmental protection?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

What powers do independent agencies have beyond their executive duties?

Quasi-legislative and quasi-judicial powers

How does Congress maintain control over independent agencies?

Congress approves their financing and can enact laws that alter their authority.

What is the size of the U.S. Postal Service compared to other executive departments?

It employs about 500,000 workers, more than any other executive department.

What are the three primary categories of independent agencies?

Government businesses, independent executive agencies, and independent regulatory commissions.

What is the function of independent executive agencies?

To supervise and control specific areas of the federal government.

Who appoints the chief executives of independent executive agencies?

The President, with Senate confirmation required.

What is the organizational structure of NASA?

NASA has a single head administrator and is divided into program offices responsible for various aspects of space exploration.

What was the Peace Corps established for?

To deploy American volunteers to assist poor countries with social and economic issues.

What is the role of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)?

To arrange and keep government records.

What is the function of the General Services Administration (GSA)?

To assist other government agencies in purchasing goods and services.

What distinguishes independent regulatory commissions from other government branches?

They establish and enforce laws and have quasi-judicial authority to resolve conflicts.

What is the primary responsibility of independent regulatory agencies?

To establish and enforce laws, often with quasi-judicial authority to resolve conflicts.

How are the leaders of independent regulatory agencies appointed?

The president nominates them, and the Senate confirms the appointments.

What is a key characteristic of the board members of most independent regulatory commissions?

They have set terms and are not subject to removal by the president.

What does it mean for a regulatory board to be bipartisan?

It must include representatives from both major political parties, e.g., no more than three members from the same party on a five-person board.

What was the first independent regulatory body established by Congress?

The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC).

What were the three primary purposes for establishing the ICC in 1887?

To provide continuity in legislation, to have experts regulate railroads, and to create an independent body free from political influence.

What is an example of an independent regulatory body still in operation today?

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

What does the FCC oversee?

Cable, satellite, wire, television, and radio communications.

What is one of the main duties of the FCC?

To restrict the use of derogatory or vulgar language on radio and television.

How can Congress influence the decisions of the FCC?

Congress has the power to overrule FCC decisions.

What is a government corporation?

An entity that operates like a business but is partially or entirely owned by the federal government.

What is the purpose of government corporations?

To pursue public goals that private businesses may not handle profitably.

Give an example of a government corporation.

The United States Postal Service (USPS).

What is the operational goal of the USPS?

To provide inexpensive and fair mail services to all areas of the country.

What is Amtrak?

A government-operated passenger rail service.

Why was Amtrak created?

To provide train service across the country when private firms found it less viable due to increased air and auto travel.

What is one challenge that Amtrak faces?

It struggles to break even financially and relies on government subsidies.

What law did Congress enact in 1946 to hold federal agencies accountable?

The Administrative Procedure Act.

What does the Freedom of Information Act allow the public to do?

Access written records held by federal agencies.

What is an 'iron triangle' in the context of federal bureaucracy?

A three-sided interaction between bureaucratic agencies, legislative oversight committees, and outside interest groups.

What risk does the 'iron triangle' pose?

It can create a closed loop of policy making that benefits only certain parties.

How do complex issues affect the visibility of iron triangles?

They may not be as visible as before due to the involvement of multiple congressional committees and federal agencies.

What role do congressional appropriations committees play in federal agencies?

They can influence operations by increasing or decreasing funding.

What is a significant challenge for regulatory commissions' authority?

Contentious debates regarding the legitimacy of new regulatory bodies.

What was the outcome of the Supreme Court case involving the Schechter Poultry Corporation?

It determined that the corporation had violated NRA laws established by the National Industrial Recovery Act.