Opener - Veteran Affairs

Congressional Action

1. Committee Hearing
2. Power of the Purse
3. Make Laws

Presidential Action

1. The president could’ve used his role as the Bully Pulpit to use the media to pressure the VA
2. Executive Order
3. Fire / Terminate people

Notes - Competing Interests

Congress & THE FINAL SAY

Committee Clearance: Congress reserves the authority to review & approve agency actions.

Legislative Veto: Congressional attempt to control agencies; in the 1980’s it was declared unlawful as it violated checks & balances

Competition in the Executive Branch

Agencies act in competition with one another; creates a lack of cooperation

Whistleblower Protection Act: Prohibits a federal agency from retaliating against a “whistleblower”

The Courts & The Bureaucracy

Judicial Review:

Allows the courts to have a check on agency lawlessness

• The US Circuit Court of Appeals takes most civil cases dealing with agencies
• Interpretations is difficult because of agencies’ Discretionary Authority bestowed by Congress

Performance Task

Reflect: What happens when agencies fail to do their jobs?

Agencies that fail to do their jobs receive punishment from their bosses (Congress & The President). This could be things like Budget Cuts, Termination, Hearings, etc. The infrastructure that the agency supplies also are degraded or fail completely.