Chapter 11 Government

Factors in accepting nomination

-Reduced pay (compared to private sector) - in 2016 $205,700 -Temporary position - can be fired by president at any time -Confirmation hearings - open self up to extreme scrutiny -Living in Washington DC -Politics

Political Appointees in Government

-A president can appoint loyal supporters to some federal jobs outside the civil service system. -Political appointees have a limited time in which to learn their job and the system. -Political appointees are subject to many more ethics restrictions than career civil servants. -Political appointees are first and foremost loyal political supporters of the president

Executive Privilege

-Ability of president to keep discussions with advisors from the public (confidential). (right to withhold information from other government branches to preserve confidential communications within the executive branch or to secure the national interest). The president needs open and frank discussions on any number of issues. This privilege extends to reports and other documents. This is not absolute. Supreme Court recognized the privilege but puts limits on it. US v Nixon (1974) President could not withhold evidence from an ongoing criminal prosecution of another person simply because he was the President.

Functions and changing role of cabinet

-Advise and lead department -Used however president wants - meetings held in cabinet room in west wing -Advisors v implementers of policy -Some more highly regarding due to nature of issues: Defense, State, Treasury, Justice

Influence of Interest Groups on the Bureaucracy

-An iron triangle forms when congressional committees, client groups (interest groups), and a federal department work closely together. -Critics say that iron triangles limit outside input and complicate funding issues. -Ethics requirements for lobbyists have been developed to address concerns over undue influence.

The Executive Branch at Work Public Policy, Rules, & Regulations

-Cabinet department liaison officers provide assistance as a bill moves through Congress. -As they put a law into practice, bureaucrats shape what the law actually means. -To implement new laws, executive agencies seek input from stakeholders and interest groups. -The court system and Congress can check the power of the executive agencies and departments.

The EOP - Executive Office of the President

-Closest group of advisors supervised by WH chief of staff -Provides information, advises president, creates policy - can be experts in their area. Usually on staff during election or are big supporters. -The Office of Management and Budget prepares the national budget for the president. -The National Security Council advises the president and coordinates military and foreign policy. -The Council of Economic Advisers assesses the nation's economic health and assists in economic planning. -The number and size of other EOP agencies vary from president to president. -The White House Office consists of advisers and assistants who do not need Senate confirmation.

The Federal Workforce and Civil Service

-Early presidents employed federal workers who shared their political views. -The wholesale appointment of political supporters by Andrew Jackson led to the term "spoils system." (patronage) -The spoils system fostered inefficiency and corruption. -The assassination of James A. Garfield by an angry job seeker led to the present civil service system.

Factors in Nomination

-Experience in particular policy area -Administrative experience -Support for president's plans/agenda -Support from groups that hold political power: interest groups -Demographic diversity

Corporations

-Government corporations such as the U.S. Postal Service are organized like private businesses but funded by Congress. -Conduct business - like activities -Amtrak, US Postal Service, Tennessee Valley Authority

White House Office

-Long time supporters -Not confirmed -President's inner circle -Headed by Chief of Staff who oversees access to the president -Can examine specific policy areas, political strategy, impact of policy, legal consequences -Press secretary

Factors limiting the influence of the Cabinet

-May not be completely loyal to the President: other loyalties are to: department; congress; special interest groups. -Secretaries may have agenda different from president -Secretaries may have different opinion from each other

Regulatory Commissions

-Regulatory commissions are independent agencies with governmental authority to issue licenses and punish violations -They oversee some aspect of the economy -Quasi - legislative and quasi - judicial power -These agencies are meant to impose and enforce regulations free of political influence. -Length of appointment and members terms are staggered so no 1 president appoints all -Can only be removed for cause

Size of the Bureacracy

-Several factors have contributed to the growth of the federal bureaucracy. -Critics of big government argue that it is costly, unsustainable, and beyond its proper role. -Many elected officials and public figures have proposed ways to reduce the size of the federal bureaucracy

Cabinet Departments

-The 15 executive branch department heads serve in the Cabinet, advise the president, and run their departments. -The executive departments include State, Treasury, Interior, Agriculture, Justice, Commerce, and Labor. -Other departments are Defense, Health and Human Services, and Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, Energy, Education, Veterans Affairs, and Homeland Security complete the executive departments.

Civil Service Today

-The Office of Personnel Management handles recruitment, pay, retirement policy, and exams. -Some civil service jobs require a written exam, while others evaluate the applicant's training and experience. -Civil service workers cannot be easily fired, and there are protections for whistleblowers. -There are legal restrictions on the political activity of civil service employees.

The Cabinet

-The Senate must confirm each person the president nominates to be a Cabinet secretary. -Cabinet selection is largely a political process, although social and management considerations apply. -The Cabinet advises the president and meets when called by the president & oversees department -Cabinet secretaries have loyalties beyond just the president who appointed them.

Independent Agencies

-The federal bureaucracy also includes independent agencies, government corporations, and regulatory commissions. -The independent agencies, including NASA and the CIA, perform services for the executive branch. -Serve the government or the public -Don't necessarily "fit" in a department

Government Regulation

-Typically, business owners and manufacturers dislike regulation and ask the government to deregulate. -Many regulations are designed to protect workers, consumers, and the environment. -Red tape, such as excessive paperwork, places unnecessary burdens on the public.

Bureaucracy

-a body of nonelective government officials -an administrative policy-making group -government characterized by specialization of functions, adherence to fixed rules, and a hierarchy of authority

Pendleton Act 1883

In 1883, Congress passed the Pendleton Act creating the present civil service system. The Pendleton Act: -created the civil service system that hires, employs, and promotes workers based on open, competitive exams and merit -made it illegal to fire or demote employees covered by the law for political reasons -forbade covered employees from giving political service or contributions -created the Civil Service Commission to administer exams and supervise the operation of the new civil service system