Chapter 11: The Bureaucracy

FRQ: Independent regulatory agencies and commissions differ from most federal executive branch agencies. a) Identify and describe two ways regulatory agencies or commissions differ from other federal agencies. b) Identify one independent regulatory agency or commission and define its basic authority c) Explain how Congress influences or interacts with this organization. d) Explain how the President influences or interacts with this organization.

- One way regulatory agencies differ is that they have the power to create rules that are relevant to their specialized interest. Another way is that they can punish those who violate their rules. - The Interstate Commerce Commission has the authority to oversee interstate trade. - Congress influences this commission since it has the ability to either cut or increase the commission's funding. - The President interacts with this commission by appointing its members, and by encouraging it to act to work towards the administration's policy goals.

FRQ: Bureaucratic departments and government agencies must interact with different groups to implement policy. a) Define an iron triangle b) Select one agency listed below. Identify and describe two ways in which Congress can exercise authority over this agency. -Department of State -Environmental Protection Agency -Department of Defense -Federal Bureau of Investigation c) Identify and explain two ways in which interest groups interact with or impact the other members of the iron triangle.

- The relationship among an agency, a Congressional committee, and an interest group is an iron triangle. - Congress can express authority over the Department of Defense by refusing to pass authorization of spending measures for the agency, which would make it difficult for the agency to operate. Another way Congress can express authority is through committee clearance, which involves the agency's corresponding committee having the final say over the department's actions. - Interest groups impact committee members because their political action committees could help fund the congressional members during their campaigns. Interest groups also impact agencies since they try to press their agendas on the agencies.

A loose collaboration of congressional staffers, researchers, academics, advocates, and/or journalists to develop public policy in a certain area is known as: a) an iron triangle b) an issue network c) bureaucratic madness d) gold plating e) going native

Answer: b) an issue network

Which of the following laws limit a bureaucrat's activity in political campaigning? a) the Pendleton Civil Service Act b) the Hatch Act c) Humphrey's Executor v. United States d) the War Powers Act e) the Presidential Succession Act

Answer: b) the Hatch Act

President Garfield's assassination led to: a) the Humphrey's decision b) the Pendleton Civil Service Act c) the creation of the Internal Revenue Service d) the Whistleblower Protection Act e) the creation of the Central Intelligence Agency

Answer: b) the Pendleton Civil Service Act

Which of the following is true about legislative veto? a) it allows the president to veto acts of the legislature b) it was upheld in the case of INS v. Chadha c) for some time it allowed congressional committees to veto regulatory agency decisions d) it was included in the Constitution e) it was used to block the Freedom of Information Act

Answer: c) for some time it allowed congressional committees to veto regulatory agency decisions

One key way Congress has influence over the bureaucracy is through: a) competitive service b) executive order c) oversight function d) going native e) removal power

Answer: c) oversight function

Independent regulatory agencies have quasi-legislative and quasi-judicial powers. This means: a) a president has no influence on regulatory agencies b) agency rulings cannot be challenged in court c) these agencies can create policies and can issue fines or punishments d) Congress has no control or influence over these agencies e) members of Congress and active judges can also serve on regulatory agencies

Answer: c) these agencies can create policies and can issue fines or punishments

Which of these departments or agencies would employ staff with a more conservative ideology? a) Environmental Protection Agency b) Department of Labor c) Department of Housing and Urban Development d) Department of Agriculture e) National Labor Relations Board

Answer: d) Department of Agriculture

All of the following are reasons for long-term growth of the bureaucratic system EXCEPT: a) and expanded United States has required more governmental services b) the creation of the federal income tax has given the government more funds to spend c) the American citizenry has developed increased expectations of the federal government d) presidential initiatives and new programs have spawned new programs e) fiscal conservatism in the federal government has created new agencies

Answer: e) fiscal conservatism in the federal government has created new agencies

All of the following are government corporations EXCEPT: a) the U.S. Postal Service b) Amtrak c) the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation d) the Corporation for Public Broadcasting e) the U.S. Army

Answer: e) the U.S. Army