AMSCO AP Government and Politics: Chapter 5 The Bureaucracy

appropriations

Funding that must be authorized by Congress for any federal spending

authorization of spending

A formal declaration by a legislative committee that a certain amount of funding may be available to an agency. Some terminate in a year; others are renewable automatically without further congressional action.

Civil Service Commission

The initial central personnel agency of the national government, created in 1883.

Civil Service Reform Act (1978)

Law that replaced the Civil Service Commission with the Office of Personnel Management and the Merit Systems Protection Board. These agencies are responsible for enforcing existing civil service laws, coordinating the testing of applicants, setting up pay scales, and appointing people to federal jobs.

competitive service

Appointment of officials based on selection criteria devised by the employing agency and Office of Personnel Management

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 authority

The ability of a bureaucracy to choose courses of action and make policies not spelled out in advance by laws.

excepted service

Appointment of officials not based on the criteria specified by OPM

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

The arm of the US Justice Department that investigates violations of federal law, seeks to protect America from terrorist attacks, gathers crime statistics, runs a comprehensive crime laboratory, and helps train local law enforcement officers.

Federal Election Commission

A commission created by the 1974 amendments to the Federal Election Campaign Act to administer election reform laws. Its duties include overseeing disclosure of campaign finance information and public funding of presidential elections, and enforcing contribution limits.

Freedom of Information Act (1966)

Provides a system for the public to obtain government records, as long as they do not invade individuals' privacy, reveal trade secrets, or endanger military security.

Hatch Act (1939)

Permitted government employees to vote in government elections but forbade them from participating in partisan politics

iron triangle

The three-way alliance among legislators, bureaucrats, and interest groups to make or preserve policies that benefit their respective interests.

issue networks

Complex systems of relationships among groups that influence policy, including elected leaders, interest groups, specialists, consultants, and research institutes

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

A system of employment based on qualifications, test scores, and ability, rather than party loyalty

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

An elite cadre of about 9,000 federal government managers at the top of the civil service system.

spoils system

A system of public employment based on rewarding party loyalists and friends.

Sunshine Act (1976)

A law stating, with ten specified exemptions, that 'every portion of every meeting of an agency shall be open to public observation.'

Whistleblower Protection Act (1989)

This law protects from retaliation from their employers federal employees who tell upper-management, government officials, or the press that their employers are engaged in some unsafe or illegal activity.