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Appropriation
A legislative grant of money to finance a government program or agency
authorization of spending
These measures state the maximum amount the agency can give on a certain program.
Civil Service Commission
government agency created by the Pendleton Act of 1883 to fill federal jobs on the basis of merit
competitive service
the government offices to which people are appointed on the basis of merit, as ascertained by a written exam or by applying certain selection criteria
Compliance Monitoring
Activities undertaken to establish whether a process or procedure is carried out in conformance with relevant external requirements, whether set through legislation, regulations, or directions
discretionary spending
Federal spending on programs that are controlled through the regular budget process
excepted service
Provision for appointing federal offices without going through the competitive service.
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Created after the Russian Revolution to prevent radicals from taking over. Headed by J Edgar Hoover.
Federal Election Commission
A six-member bipartisan agency created by the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1974. The federal Election Commission administers and enforces campaign finance laws.
Freedom of Information Act
Gives all citizens the right to inspect all records of federal agencies except those containing military, intelligence, or trade secrets, increases accountability of bureaucracy
Hatch Act
A federal law prohibiting government employees from active participation in partisan politics.
Iron Triangle
A close relationship between an agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group
issue networks
A loose grouping of people and organizations who seek to influence policy formation.
legislative veto
The ability of Congress to override a presidential decision. Although the War Powers Resolution asserts this authority, there is reason to believe that, if challenged, the Supreme Court would find the legislative veto in violation of the doctrine of separation of powers.
merit system
hiring people into government jobs on the basis of their qualifications
National Performance Review (NPR)
the Clinton
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs
a unit of the Office of Management and Budget that sets federal policy on statistics and reviews draft rules before publication
Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
The office in charge of hiring for most agencies of the federal government, using elaborate rules in the process.
Patronage
Granting favors or giving contracts or making appointments to office in return for political support
Pendleton Civil Service Act (1883)
The first federal regulatory commission. Office holders would be assessed on a merit basis to be sure they were fit for duty. Brought about by the assassination of Garfield by an immigrant who was angry about being unable to get a government job. The assassination raised questions about how people should be chosen for civil service jobs.
red tape
complex bureaucratic rules and procedures that must be followed to get something done
Senior Executive Service
Established by Congress in 1978 as a flexible, mobile corps of senior career executives who work closely with presidential appointees to manage government.
Spoils System
A system of public employment based on rewarding party loyalists and friends.
Sunshine Act
adopted in 1977, this act requires that most government meetings be conducted in public and that notice of such meetings must be posted advance
Whistleblower Protection Act
A law passed in 1989 which created an Office of Special Counsel to investigate complaints from bureaucrats claiming they were punished after reporting to Congress about waste, fraud, or abuse in their agencies.
