The Federal Bureaucracy A Large Part of the Executive Branch “The 4 th branch of government”

What is a Bureaucracy? Bureaucracy- an organization built on three characteristics… 1. Hierarchical authority Pyramid-like in structure. Those at the top have control over the middle who have control over the bottom. 2. Job specialization Specific division of labor among those working for the organization. (Bureaucrats) 3. Formal Rules Operates under established rules and procedures.

The Federal Bureaucracy Consists of all of the agencies, people, and procedures through which the Federal Government operates. The means by which we make and administer public policy

LEGISLATIVE Congress General Accounting Office Library of Congress Govt. Printing Office Congressional Budget Office US Botanic Gardens Copyright & Royalty Tribunal Etc. EXECUTIVE President White House Office National Security Council Office of Management & Budget Office of National Drug Control Policy The Council of Economic Advisors Office of Policy Development Council of Environmental Quality Office of US Trade Representative Office of Science and Tech. Policy Office of Administration Vice President JUDICIAL Supreme Court Court of Appeals District Courts Court of International Trade Territorial Courts Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces Court of Veterans Appeals Etc. The Cabinet 15 Departments Major Independent Agencies There are nearly 150 Independent Agencies in the Executive Branch The United States Federal Bureaucracy

The Executive Office of The President Several separate agencies staffed by the President’s closest advisers and assistants. Includes: Chief of Staff Council to the President Press Secretary Expert Advisers in many areas

Cabinet Departments Department of State Department of the Treasury Department of Defense Department of Justice Department of the Interior

Department of Agriculture Cabinet Departments Department of Labor Department of Commerce Department of Health & Human Services Department of Housing & Urban Development

Cabinet Departments Department of Transportation Department of Energy Department of Education Department of the Veterans Affairs Department of Homeland Security

Choosing Cabinet Members Same political Party as the President NOT politicians but lawyers, businessmen, doctors… i.e. specialists Represent regions of the country and sectors of business, health… Try to have a balance of background and gender

Role of the Cabinet Advise and influence the President’s decisions on public policy Administration of the Executive Departments Presidents do not have to listen to their cabinet “Seven nays, one aye: the ayes have it” -Abraham Lincoln taking a vote during a cabinet meeting

The Alternative: The “Kitchen Cabinet” Some President’s meet with close friends that do not hold cabinet positions but will be honest and advise them about policy decisions. Examples: Andrew Jackson- Spoils System FDR- Brain Trust

Major Independent Agencies 1. Independent Executive Agencies Agency that is not within a department but reports directly to the President Ex. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Major Independent Agencies 2. Independent Regulatory Agencies Agency that make and implement roles and regulations in a particular sphere of action to protect the public interest Ex. The Federal Reserve Bank Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

Major Independent Agencies 3. Government Corporations Agency that administers a business enterprise. These corporations are used when activities are primarily commercial. Ex. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK) US Postal Service (USPS)