AP gov unit 7 frq 1,2,3,4,5,6,7

Identify the primary role of the bureaucracy in the policy process

Bureaucracy is responsible for ensuring the policies and programs enacted by Congress andthe executive departments are carried out. The bureaucracy performs three primary tasks ingovernment: implementation, administration, and regulation. When Congress passes a law, itsets down guidelines to carry out the new policies. Actually putting these policies into practice isknown as implementation

Describe a power of the president in each of the following roles.

Chief legislator While the President cannot directly propose legislation in Congress he/she can use their bully pulpit to bring attention to a matter OR - through the State of the Union Address, can suggest or request legislation Chief bureaucrat or chief administrator the President is the chief administrator overseeing numerous federal agencies and commissions. He/she can influence those agencies through appointing the heads of some agencies or through cabinet appointments who oversee the agencies.

Explain how each of the following limits the president's influence in policy-making.

Civil service employees are not directly hired by the president, we have a merit system, not a spoils system. Therefore they owe him/her no loyalty or may not agree with his or her policies. (This is one example, there are other options) The Supreme Court Supreme Court can declare executive orders unconstitutional, which the President could use an executive order to bypass Congress. (This is one example, there are other options)

For each of the following, explain one Constitutional provision that it can use to check the bureaucracy. -Congress -The Courts -Interest Groups

Congress can use appropriations to check the bureaucracy. This method allows Congress to reward or punish certain agencies such as the FBI or the Drug Enforcement Administration. Congress can also pass legislation to check the bureaucracy. The largest way that Congress can affect bureaucracies though is by impeaching executive officials. The courts use judicial review to declare bureaucratic actions unconstitutional. They can also make injunctions against federal agencies. Interest groups check the power of bureaucracy by creating a false sense of urgency on a specific topic. They closely monitor their publicity and make sure that they use their freedom of speech in their media to change their follows beliefs and petition the government. Congress - Appropriations - can reward or punish the agency -Legislation - can pass legislation affecting the bureaucracy -Rejection of presidential appointments to the bureaucracy Impeachment of executive officials Courts -Court rulings that limit bureaucratic practices -Judicial review- can declare bureaucratic actions unconstitutional -Injunctions against federal agencies Interest Groups -Use of the first amendment: --lobbying --protests --media usage --speech

Describe the influence of divided government on the policy-making process.

Divided gov't makes creating effective policy very difficult because in a divided government the president is a different party from at least one house of Congress, like what we are currently experiencing. The differing parties have different agendas and opposing views on how to achieve policy. If the President is a different party, such as a democratic

Explain how one of the following can limit the president's ability to implement foreign policy.

Elections - The President has to run for re-election because he can be voted out of office in the first term. Elections can shift agenda

Explain how executive agreements expand the president's ability to implement foreign policy.

Executive agreements passed without Congress' approval, which makes it easier for the President to implement them into foreign policy.

(4)For each of the congressional powers below, explain one way that presidential decision making is affected by that power. -Legislative oversight power -Senate advise​ and consent power -Budgetary power

Legislative oversight power - Presidents limit the number or extent of actions that might draw congressional observation. Senate advice and consent power - Presidents use executive agreements to avoid the need to have treaties ratified. Budgetary power - Presidents consider budget items or programs that are important to Congress.

(8)give two specific explanations for the failure of Congress to exercise effective oversight of the federal bureaucracy

No electoral payoff / Political ramifications · Oversight is labor intensive/ hard work · Lack of technical expertise · Logrolling · Lack of budget control · Enabling legislation is vague · Interest groups/ PACs encourage members to overlook effective administration · Failure to "use" available powers or ineffective use of them · Iron triangles/cozy relationship with agencies · Bureaucratic pathologies (for example, Congress creates opportunities for casework through red tape; firing administrators is difficult)

Describe one key characteristic of the merit system.

One key characteristic of the merit system is that it hires government employees based on their abilities and not on their political connections. All applicants are required to take a standardized test determining their competency.

Explain how each of the following enables congress to limit the power of thebureaucracy

Oversight hearings: Congress is able to oversee federal bureaucracy by holding the funding that will support the bureaucracy; Congress is also able to initiate and conduct investigations​ on any bureaucracy that it deems necessary. Many of the agencies that are run by Congress must undergo periodic evaluations. This ensures that the agencies are acting the way they are supposed to and are upholding all of the regulations that have been imposed on them. Power of the purse: Congress controls appropriations. President may request funding but Congress can deny such requests. Appointment confirmation: the president can appoint officials, but Senate can reject those appointments Background image of page 1

Explain how one of the following increases the power of the bureaucracy in the policyprocess

Rulemaking Bureaucratic discretion: The exercise of professional expertise and judgment, asopposed to strict adherence to regulations or statutes, in making a decision orperforming official acts or duties. A discretionary action is informal and, therefore,unprotected by the safeguards inherent in formal procedure. It created bycongress and acts are signed into the law by the president.

Identify the primary role of Congress in the policy process

The primary function of Congress is to pass rules that all Americans must obey, a function called lawmaking. Many of the bills considered by Congress originate with the executive branch, but only Congress can create laws. Parties, interest groups, and constituents all influence members of Congress in their vote choices, and members also compromise and negotiate with one another to reach agreements

For each of the following, describe one factor that contributes to bureaucratic independence. -The structure of federal bureaucracy -The complexity of public policy

The structure of the federal bureaucracy: In each organization, there is bureaucratic independence. An example of an organization is the FBI. This organization has a hierarchy of power. At the top of the group is the director who is in charge of everyone down to the field agents. Every organization has these levels of power which contribute to the bureaucracy. Each organization is independent but has different levels of superiority. Structure: -Large -Specialized units/expertise -Based on Merit -Independent agencies/Independent regulatory commission The complexity of the public policy problems: A few factors that contribute to bureaucratic independence relating to the complexity of the public are specialized units/expertise, delegated authority, and discretionary authority. Delegated authority complicates public policy problems because Congress and the president cannot handle all issues. Instead, they delegate authority to the bureaucracy. Discretionary authority causes public policy problems because legislation lacks detail. This then causes the bureaucracy to fill in the gaps. Complexity - Specialized units/expertise -Delegated authority - because Congress and the president cannot handle everything they delegate authority to the bureaucracy -Discretionary authority - because legislation lacks detail, the bureaucracy can fill in the gaps.

Explain how divided party control of Congress can make the policy process difficult

To pass legislation both house has to be agreed but that's not what happens sometimes. Its mean​ that is very hard to pass legislation on both sides. Most of the time if legislation passthrough on house. It's more likely to die in the other house.

Describe two enumerated powers Congress has in making foreign policy.

Two enumerated powers of Congress has in making foreign policy are declaring war and ratifying treaties.

Describe two expressed powers the president has in making foreign policy.

Two enumerated powers the President has in making foreign policy are Commander in Chief (highest power in the military) and he makes treaties.

(4)For each of the presidential powers below, explain one way that congressional decision making is affected by that power. -Veto power -Power to issue executive orders -Power as commander in chief

Veto power - Prevents or discourages congressional action if the President makes a statement of clear opposition or threatens the veto. Power to issue executive orders - Congress avoids taking action on controversial issues. Power as commander in chief - Congress clarifies its role associated with the power to declare war.

For each of the congressional powers below, explain one way that presidential decision making is affected by that power. • Legislative oversight power • Senate advise and consent power • Budgetary power

congressional powers: • Power of legislative oversight o Presidents minimize the number or extent of actions that might draw congressional scrutiny. • Senate advise and consent power o Presidents weigh the implications of making controversial or ideological nominations or appointments. o Presidents use recess appointments, avoiding controversial confirmation battles. o Presidents use executive agreements to avoid the need to have treaties ratified. • Budgetary power - Presidents consider budget items or programs that are important to members of Congress. - Presidents consult with members of Congress during the budget process. - Presidents sign budgets that include provisions they oppose rather than veto the budget. - Presidents postpone agenda items because of difficulty in getting congressional budgetary approval.

For each of the presidential powers below, explain one way that congressional decision making is affected by that power. • Veto power • Power to issue executive orders • Power as commander in chief

• Veto power - Results in congressional interaction with the president/executive branch during the legislative process (e.g., bargaining, negotiation, compromising, consulting). - Prevents or discourages congressional action if the president makes a statement of clear opposition or threatens a veto. • Power to issue executive orders o Congress acts in response to or anticipates executive orders (e.g., countermands, preempts, compromises). o Congress avoids taking action on controversial issues. • Power as commander in chief o Congress engages in oversight activities. o Congress clarifies its role associated with the power to declare war (i.e., War Powers Act). o Congress controls military spending and thus can approve, modify or reject the funding.