VQ #5

Appropriations

funding that must be authorized by Congress for any federal spending.

Authorization Spending

These measures state the maximum amount the agency can give on a certain program.

Civil Service Commision

This is a system that includes the most government jobs, except elected positions, the judiciary, and the military. The aim of this was to fill jobs on the basis of value. Jobs went to those with the highest scores of examinations.

Civil Service Reform Act

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.

discretionary authority

The extent to which appointed bureaucrats can choose courses of action and make policies that are not spelled out in advance by laws.

FBI

Created after the Russian Revolution to prevent radicals from taking over. Headed by J Edgar Hoover.

Freedom of Information

Gives all citizens the right to inspect all records of federal agencies except those containing military, intelligence, or trade secrets; increases accountability of bureaucracy.

Government Corporation

agency that operates like a business corporation, created to secure greater freedom of action and flexibility for a particular program.

Hatch Act

Limits how involved federal government employees can become in elections. This prevented political parties from forcing federal workers to take part in election campaigns.

Iron Triangle

Creation of powerful relationship of mutual benefit and support among congressional committee, government agency and regulated interest group(s). Can lead to corruption and "agency capture" (where the agency is controlled by the target of regulation).

Issue Networks

an alliance of various interest groups and individuals who unite in order to promote a single issue in government policy.

Legislative Veto

The authority of Congress to block a presidential action after it has taken place. The Supreme Court has held that Congress does not have this power

Merit System

A system of public employment in which selection and promotion depend on demonstrated performance rather than political patronage.

Office of Personnel Management

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

Act that created a federal civil service so that hiring and promotion would be based on merit rather than patronage.

red tape

complex bureaucratic rules and procedures that must be followed to get something done.

Senior Executive Service

Placed emphasis on skills and experiences and the president has the right to move these bureaucrats laterally or ptu them in a lesser job with no loss of pay.

Sunshine Act

requires that most government meetings be conducted in public and that notice of such meetings be posted in advance.

Whistleblower Protection Act

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.