chapter 7- the federal bureaucracy

the bureaucracy

departments and agencies within the executive branch that write rules that implement laws passed by Congress 

shared

the bureaucracy has ______ authority.

both Congress and the president have control

funding and oversight

2 of congress’s checks over the bureaucracy

power of the purse

the “____ __ ___ _____”

power of Congress to decide how and where the government’s money is raised and spent

oversight

Congress’s power to monitor how the executive branch and bureaucracy carry out laws

ensures both’s actions are constitutional

public scrutiny

the opinions of Americans, that the bureaucracy is unnecessary and confusing, cause challenges in court

article 2

what article is the bureaucracy found on?

POTUS “executes” policy- B does that for them

war

Henry Knox was the first secretary of ___

the treasury

Alexander Hamilton was the first secretary of ____

state

Thomas Jefferson was the first secretary of _____

implementation

bureaucracy power-

The bureaucracy’s main job of using discretionary authority to interpret vague laws from Congress into clear rules and actions

rule making authority (regulations)

bureaucracy power-

agencies write detailed rules to enforce a law, these rules have the force of law

discretionary authority 

bureaucracy power-

The freedom agencies have to decide how to carry out a law

discretionary authority allows rule making which enforces the law

how does discretionary authority relate to rule making?

Bureaucratic Adjudication

bureaucracy power-

Agencies can settle disputes over their rules, acting much like a court

Spoils System (Patronage)

the old practice of giving government jobs to friends and supporters as a reward for helping win elections

(who you know)

Merit System

The current system based on qualifications

(what you know)

Pendleton Act 

This law created the civil service system

ensures that most federal employees are hired based on merit, not political loyalty

Political Appointees

The top government leaders (like Secretaries and agency heads) who are chosen by the President

Legislative Control

congressional check-

Congress can pass new laws to clarify/limit agency power, or even abolish an agency altogether

Oversight Hearings

congressional check-

When Congress makes agency leaders testify and explain their actions publicly

Senate Confirmation

congressional check-

The Senate must confirm high-level presidential appointments.

Government Accountability Office (GAO)

congressional check-

A Congressional agency that checks and audits how the bureaucracy is running

Appointment Power

presidential check-

The President picks top agency leaders who support their policies

(senate confirms, pres can fire w/o senate approval)

Executive Orders

presidential check-

Directives from the President that tell agencies what to do or how to act

Budget Proposals

presidential checks-

The President suggests the yearly budget through the Office of Management and Budget

Reorganization

presidential check-

The President can try to reorganize agencies (though this often requires congressional approval)

Judicial Review

judicial check-

Courts can decide if an agency’s actions or rules are constitutional 

Injunctions

judicial check-

Courts can order an agency to stop a specific action

Iron Triangle

A long-term, mutually helpful relationship between three groups

1- Congressional committee

2- Bureaucratic agency

3- Interest group

1- interest groups

2- congressional committees

3- bureaucratic agencies

how does an iron triangle work?

1- The ____ ____ support the committee politically

2- The ______ _____ give funding and favorable laws to the agency

3- The ____ _____ provide benefits or contracts to the interest group

Issue Networks

Loose, temporary, and complex groups that work together to influence policy on a specific issue

They disband once the issue is resolved/loses importance

how do issue networks work?

1- Defining the problem

steps of the policy-making process-

1- Identify and clearly describe the issue that needs government action

2- Getting on the policy agenda

steps of the policy-making process-

2- Make sure the issue is considered by lawmakers

3- Getting policy debated and passed

steps of the policy-making process-

3- Lawmakers discuss, revise, and approve a solution (a law or regulation)

4- Discussion of finance

steps of the policy-making process-

4- Decide how to pay for the policy and allocate funding

bureaucrat

career government employee who works in administrative capacity

appointed

confirmed

bureaucrats are

_____ by president and

______ by senate

hatch act

this act limits certain political activities of federal employees to ensure political neutrality

1- cabinet 

2- SES (senior executive service)

3- civil servants 

what are the three levels of the bureaucracy?

appointed

the cabinet is ____ by the president

merit

civil servants are chosen based off of _____