How did the reading from Heclo impact your thoughts on the bureaucracy? Why?

1. Date: November 19, 2012Topic: Congressional Oversight of the Bureaucracy.Aim: How does Congress exercise effective and ineffective oversight of the Bureaucracy?Do Now: Multiple Choice Questions.

2. How did the reading from Heclo impact your thoughts on the bureaucracy? Why?

3. Methods of Effective Congressional Oversight of Bureaucracy. • Budget control. • Reauthorization/Jurisdiction of agencies. • Setting guidelines for agencies. • Committee hearings. • Sunset Law – expiration date/termination date of a government program. • Casework as a source of information – information that congressmen receive from constituents. • Program evaluation.

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

5. Independence of the Bureaucracy • 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.

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

7. Constitutional Provisions Used to Check Bureaucracy • 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.