Bureaucratic Authority

Delegated Discretionary Authority: The power to interpret legislation & create rules

Rule-Making Process

Administrative Procedures Act (1946): Guidelines for agencies to make rules / procedures that are transparent & fair

Congressional Regulation: Members of Congress are ELECTED; they must oversee the authority of agencies (non-elected) to prevent abuse.

Implementing the Law: Discretionary Authority allows agency experts to determine laws and best actions.

Code of Federal Regulations: All laws and regulations made by agencies are recorded in the Federal Register

Independent Regulatory Agencies

Regulatory agencies have board members that keep a term despite a change in the presidency. (See “Commissions” in 2.12)

Accountability for the Bureaucracy

Congressional Oversight

Congressional Oversight: Congressional committees “check & balance” the authority of agencies.

Power of the Purse: Appropriations committees authorize how much $$ goes to each agency every year.

The President & The Bureaucracy

Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs: The president can review bureaucratic regulations to see if they comply with the president’s agenda

Policy Challenges: Acting on the president’s interest, agencies enforce compliance monitoring: ensuring that industries within their realm are complying with regulations

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Performance Task - Who controls the bureaucracy and how much power do they have?

Analytical – Write a paragraph response: Who controls the bureaucracy and how much power do they have?

The bureaucracy is controlled by Congress and the Executive branch. They get their power from the delegation of Congress and their enforcement through the Executive branch. They, as such, have a lot of power but it depends on what they’re given.

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