Unit 2: Interactions Among the Branches: BUREAUCRACY & BUDGET

OMB

Office of Management and Budget- advise the President on the budget and helps review proposed regulations of gov't agencies

bureaucracy

Hierarchical authority structure that uses task specialization, operates on merit principle, IMPLEMENTS policy

patronage/ spoils system

used by party machines. A job, promotion, or contract is awarded for political reasons

independent regulatory commission

government agency with responsibility for making and enforcing rules to protect the public interest. Heads are appointed by Pres and confirmed by Senate but usually for a set amount of time longer than a presidential term. ex: FCC, FEC, SEC, NLRB

government corporations

government organization set up like a business corporation to provide a service that could be delivered by private sector and charges for its services. Ex: Post Office, Amtrak

independent executive agency

government agencies not accounted for by cabinet departments, regulatory commissions. or corporations. Heads appointed by Pres and confirmed by Senate. Ex: NASA, National Archives, EPA

policy/bureaucratic implementation

stage of policymaking between establishment of policy and evaluation of policy. Translates the goals and objectives of policy into an operating, ongoing program. Main role of the bureaucracy.

bureaucratic discretion

greatest power of the bureaucracy. Congress often gives vague or broad legislation to an agency and the agency will set the specifics- rules and regulations- of the program

regulation/ rule-making

use of government authority to control or change some practice in the private sector. set by government agencies in the bureaucracy. Can be revised by Congress or declared unconstitutional by S Ct.

deregulation

lifting of government restrictions on business, industry, and professional activities. Supported by Republicans to reduce size of government

Executive Departments

Cabinet; federal government departments are responsible for carrying out laws, administering programs, and making regulations in their particular area of responsibility

political machine

A party organization that recruits voter loyalty with tangible incentives and is characterized by a high degree of control over member activity

civil service system/ merit system

the practice of hiring government workers on the basis of open, competitive examinations and merit

Office of Personnel Management

The office in charge of hiring for most agencies of the federal government, using elaborate rules in the process.

Department of State

Chief executive-branch department responsible for formulation and implementation of U.S. foreign policy; in charge of diplomatic relations

Department of Defense

Cabinet-level agency in charge of the armed forces and military policy. HQ = The Pentagon.

Department of Homeland Security

Cabinet department created after the 9/11 terrorist attacks to coordinate domestic security efforts

Department of Transportation

Manages the nations highways, railroads, airlines, and sea traffic

Department of Veterans Affairs

Directs services for armed forces veterans

Environmental Protection Agency

an independent federal agency established to coordinate programs aimed at reducing pollution and protecting the environment

Department of Education

Provides advice and funding for schools

Controversy- some say this Dept. is not needed as public education is controlled by states per the 10th amendment

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.

Securities and Exchange Commission

an independent agency of the government that regulates financial markets and investment companies

Amtrak

government corporation- a company that operates a railroad system with combined passenger and rail service throughout the continental United States

US Postal Service

an independent federal agency that provides mail processing and delivery service for individuals and businesses in the United States (second for the most federal employees)

Congressional Budget Office

Advises Congress on the probable consequences of its decisions, forecasts revenues, and is a counterweight to the president's Office of Management and Budget.

Compliance Monitoring

done by bureaucracy to ensure regulations are being followed- 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

entitlement programs

Government benefits that certain qualified individuals are entitled to by law, regardless of need.

ex: Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid

discretionary spending

Federal spending on programs that are controlled through the regular budget process

Congress can control- increase/cut

mandatory spending

Federal spending required by law that continues without the need for annual approvals by Congress.

budget deficit

a situation in which the government spends more than it takes in

national debt

the total amount of money that a country's government has borrowed, by various means.

Continuing Resolution

A emergency budget extension measure that Congress passes when a full budget law has not been completed by the beginning of the new fiscal year (October 1). Avoids government shutdown.

Fund programs at current level of spending