Bureaucracy

Congress

Legislative Branch

President

Executive Branch

Courts

Judicial Branch

Legislation that Holds the Bureaucracy Accountable

Primarily through congressional oversight: ensuring that legislation and rules are implemented as intended

Committee on Oversight and Reform

The main investigative committee in the U.S. House of Representatives with authority to investigate subjects within its legislative jurisdiction.

Power of the purse

The ability of Congress to appropriate (give) or withhold funds.

Government Accountability Office (GAO)

A legislative branch government agency that provides auditing, evaluation, and investigative services.

Compliance monitoring

Ensuring that funds are being used properly and regulations are being followed.

Administrative Procedures Act (1946)

Requires the public to be notified of any new rule change, allow comments to be provided, and hearings to be held.

Freedom of Information Act (1966)

Allows citizens the right to inspect all government records except those containing classified military intelligence.

Open Meeting Law (1976)

Requires that part of every meeting must be open to the public unless military secrets are being discussed.

Hatch Act (1939)

Prohibits federal employees from taking an active role in politics.

Whistleblower Protection Act (1989)

Made it easy for a bureaucrat to report wrongdoing on the part of their boss, creating an office of special counsel for protection.

Types of Bureaucratic Agencies

Includes independent regulatory agencies, independent executive agencies, government corporations, and White House staff.

Cabinet

Members are appointed by the President and confirmed by the United States Senate; heads are called Secretaries.

Career civil servants

Most employees (not secretaries) who work across many presidential administrations of both parties.

Civil service exams

Employees must pass these exams to work in the departments.

Department Expert

Each department has an expert in a specific policy area.

Department Budget

Each department has its own budget which is controlled by Congress.

Regulatory Purpose

Departments exist to regulate a specific economic activity or interest.

Independence

Departments operate independently from Congress and the President.

Member Removal

Once appointed and seated, members cannot be removed without cause.

Rule Making Power

Departments have power in rule making.

Established by Congress

Departments are established by Congress with separate status outside the executive branch.

Specific Mandate

Departments are given a specific mandate and generally perform a service function, not a regulatory one.

Government Owned Businesses

Government owned businesses are created by Congress.

Profitability

Government owned businesses may or may not be profitable, but serve a public need.

Group of Advisors

A group of advisors is composed of personal aides to the President.

Policy-Making Reliance

The group of advisors is relied upon more than the Cabinet for advice and on policy-making decisions.

Advisor Responsibilities

Advisors provide policy options, analysis, negotiate agreements, write presidential statements, control paperwork, and mold legislative details.

Qualifications for Advisors

Qualifications for these positions include knowledge of how Washington works (an insider) and a professional connection to the president.

Staffer Loyalty

Staffers have more contact with the President and are very loyal to the person.

Presidential Authority

The President is free to fire, hire and admonish these advisors whenever he or she desires.

Constitutional Basis

Advisors are not proscribed by the Constitution but created to aid the executive in 'carrying out the laws.'

Direct Reporting

Advisors report directly to the President with information regarding policy and politics.

Department of Defense

Manages the nation's military and is headquartered at the Pentagon.

Department of Education

Manages federal student aid programs, monitors academic performance nationwide, and administers federal education legislation like No Child Left Behind Act.

Department of Energy

Manages the nation's nuclear weapons and energy, develops energy policies, and conducts energy research.

Department of Health & Human Services

Conducts health research, manages efforts to prevent disease, manages Medicare and Medicaid, and pursues efforts to remedy societal ills like drug abuse and child abuse.

Department of Homeland Security

Oversees a wide range of federal agencies to help them coordinate plans to confront national emergencies and threats to national security.

Department of Housing & Urban Development

Strives to increase domestic homeownership and improve access to affordable housing free of discrimination.

Department of Justice

Enforces federal laws by taking offenders to court, investigates and detains offenders through the FBI.

Department of State

Chief engine of American diplomacy (foreign policy) in the executive branch, also manages American travel overseas.

Department of Transportation

Manages national transportation infrastructure like highways, air traffic, and railways.

Department of the Treasury

Manages federal finances, collects taxes, produces stamps, and provides government advice on matters of economic policy.

Department of Veterans Affairs

Provides for the healthcare, benefits, and memorial service needs of veterans.

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)

Gathers information and conducts covert operations internationally to promote the national security interests of the United States.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Enforces federal environmental protection laws and conducts research relating to the health of the environment.

Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI)

Enforces federal laws against criminal violators of those laws.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Charged with regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable.

Federal Reserve Board (The Fed)

Regulates the national money supply to help control inflation and moderate fluctuations in the economic business cycle.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

Seeks to protect consumers and thwart anti-competitive business practices.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Responds to disaster within US and which overwhelms the resources of local and municipal authorities; disbursement of government funds for rebuilding efforts and relief funds for individual citizens and businesses.

Food & Drug Administration (FDA)

Responsible for regulating food (human and animal), dietary supplements, drugs (human and animal), cosmetics, medical devices and radiation emitting devices.

General Services Administration (GSA)

Facilitates the work of other federal agencies, providing them with office space and equipment.

National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA)

Conducts scientific research and aerospace exploration.

National Archives & Records Administration (NARA)

Stores documents and records relevant to or produced by the federal government.

National Security Agency (NSA)

Monitors communications to gather intelligence and protect national security.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)

Regulates civilian use of nuclear materials.

Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)

Sets and enforces standards relating to the well being of working Americans.

Office of Personnel Management (OPM)

Federal human resources agency; ensures that the civil service remains free of political influence and that federal employees are selected and treated fairly and on the basis of merit.

Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC)

Polices the stock market; protect investors, maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets, and facilitate capital formation by punishing securities fraud and requiring transparent corporate finances.

Small Business Administration (SBA)

Helps protect and promote the interests of small businesses.

Social Security Administration (SSA)

Manages the federal social security program.

United States Postal Service (USPS)

Manages the nation's domestic and international postal system.