Objective 2.03Explain how the United States Constitution grants and limits the authority of public officials and government

agencies.

I: What is the Federal Bureaucracy?

A: The agencies and employees of the Executive Branch.

A: The agencies and employees of the Executive Branch

• 1. Carry out laws and programs that the Congress has created.

• 2. Regulatory Agencies regulate, or police, the activities of organizations, or protect the public.– a. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules

for TV and radio stations– b. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)- prevents

air and water pollution– c. Occupational Safety and Health Adm. (OSHA)-

makes sure workplaces are safe.

Other Agencies include

d. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)- makes sure that food, drugs, cosmetics are pure, effective, and truthfully labeled.

e. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)- ensures safety with airlines.

f. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)- Regulates financial markets (stock markets), stoop dishonest investment practices.

3. Executive Agencies- deal with certain specialized areas within the government. A. National Aeronautics and Space

Administration. (NASA)1. operates the space program

B. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)1. insures money in member banks

C. Federal Reserve System (the FED)1. Regulates our economy and our money supply. Makes sure that there is not too much money out there for people to spend.

D. Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

4. Presidents Cabinet: Advisory Group chosen by president to help accomplish the work of the executive branch. Dept. of State Dept. of Treasury Dept. of Defense Dept. of Justice Dept. of Interior Dept. Agriculture Dept. of Commerce Dept. of Labor Dept. Health and Human Services Dept. of House and Urban Development Dept. of Transportation Dept. of Energy Dept. of Education Dept. Veterans Affairs Dept. Of Homeland Security- newest cabinet post- 2002

People who work for agencies within the federal government are called the federal bureaucracy. Executive department top leadership jobs go

to political appointees –people whom the president has chosen because they have proven abilities or were supporters of the election campaign. These people are political appointees and leave when new administrations take over.

90% of all national gov. employees are civil service workers. They have permanent employment thru the civil service system.

Before 1883- Spoils System was in place. Each new president chose people as a

reward for political support. All old workers were replaced with new workers.

“To the victor belong the spoils (jobs)” President James Garfield was assassinated

by a disgruntled man who was denied a job under the system. Public outrage led Congress to pass the Pendleton Act in 1883.

Pendleton Act- Civil Service Reform Act The reform act placed limits on the number of

jobs a new president could create to backers and friends.

The Office of Personnel Management directs and sets standards for govt. employees.

Merit System: employees must pass the Civil Service exam to be qualified for employment