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Bureaucratic Agencies - federal law and policy making discretion.

Date : November 26, 2012 Topic : Balancing bureaucratic powers with legislative POWERS. Aim : How does the bureaucracy and legislative branch check each others powers? Do Now : Multiple Choice Questions. . Why does Congress give federal agencies discretionary powers? Congress lacks expertise.

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Bureaucratic Agencies - federal law and policy making discretion.

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  1. Date: November 26, 2012Topic: Balancing bureaucratic powers with legislative POWERS.Aim: How does the bureaucracy and legislative branch check each others powers?Do Now: Multiple Choice Questions.

  2. Why does Congress give federal agencies discretionary powers? Congress lacks expertise. Congress may not want to be blamed for bad policy. Time consuming. More efficient. Bureaucratic Agencies - federal law and policy making discretion.

  3. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – clean water and air. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) – TV, radio, telephone, etc. Federal Reserve Board – monetary policy. How does Congress make sure that agencies are following legislative intent? Examples of Agencies and Policy Areas YOU KNOW THIS!

  4. Oversight Budget Hearings Investigations Changing Laws Casework Sunset Laws Ways that congress ensures that federal agencies follow legislative intent.

  5. Oversight is labor intensive – need expertise. Interest groups may encourage Congress to overlook things. Iron Triangles may foster strong/loyal relationships. Reasons for Oversight Failure

  6. Merit System – hiring or promotion based on experience, testing, or qualifications (opposite spoils system). Structure of the Bureaucracy that contributes to independence: a.) Large – size contributes to bureaucracy acting on its own. b.) Specialized – people without knowledge on issue makes it difficult to penetrate. c.) Some positions come with tenure. d.) Regulatory agencies (SEC) act independently through making sure rules are being followed. Independence of the Bureaucracy

  7. Complexity of Public Policy Problems that Contribute to Independence: Specialization. Delegating authority. Discretionary authority CLICK.

  8. Congress a.) Appropriations – can reward or punish through them. b.) Legislation – can be passed affecting bureaucracy. c.) Rejection of Presidential appointments to bureaucracy. d.) Impeachment of executive officials. Courts Court rulings can limit bureaucracy – judicial review. Interest Groups Lobbying. Protests. Media Use. General Speech. Constitutional Provisions Used to Check Bureaucracy

  9. Government by Proxy – federal government pays state and local governments as well as private groups to staff and administer federal programs. Ex: US sues contractor over troop trailers in Iraq. Competitive Service – government offices people are appointed to based on merit. Key Terms to consider

  10. Trust Funds – programs paid for outside the federal budget. Ex: SSA. Committee Clearance – the ability of a congressional committee to review agency decisions in advance without passing a law. Key Terms to consider I’LL DISCUSS THAT WITH COMMITTEE. We would like to provide coffee to storm victims…

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