The Federal Bureaucracy The student will explain the functions of the departments and agencies of the federal bureaucracy. a. Compare and contrast the organization and responsibilities of independent regulatory agencies, government corporations, and executive agencies. b. Explain the functions of the Cabinet.

The Federal Bureaucracy What do you think these acronyms mean? FBI IRS DoD EPA FEMA What do they all have in common? They are all part of the executive branch which is responsible for carrying out or executing the many various laws of the United States!

Overview of the Executive Branch The federal government is the nation’s largest employer – and most of those employees are in the executive branch. A bureaucracy is a large, complex administrative structure that handles the everyday business of an organization. Our government is a bureaucracy. The work of the government is divided into various departments and other agencies for efficiency. Some of the organizations within the bureaucracy have very broad jobs (cabinet level departments, for example). Some of the organizations within the bureaucracy have very specific jobs (government corporations or independent regulatory agencies, for example).

The Cabinet Level Departments There are 15 cabinet departments. The most recent (Department of Homeland Security) was added after 9/11/2001 to combine all activities that would be able to protect the country from terrorist or similar attacks in the future. The largest department is the Department of Defense. These are led by “Secretaries” who are senior-level appointees that provide advice to the President on important matters. The Senate must approve these cabinet leaders. These departments are further divided into smaller agencies with more specific jobs to do.

Other Agencies Government Corporations Independent Agencies Businesses owned by the government. Postal service or AMTRAK, for example. Independent Agencies Outside of the President’s control – the President can make recommendations, but these agencies act on their own. Environment Protection Agency, for example.

What does it mean to “carry out” the law? Departments and agencies both enforce the law and regulate people or organizations acting within the law. When someone isn’t following the law, agencies must then enforce that law. This can include educating people about the law, catching people breaking the law, or settling matters in court. Regulations are the rules that agencies make in order to explain how a law will be carried out. They are like instructions. Example: Congress makes a law aimed at reducing the number of accidents involving trains on the nation’s railways. The law is not very specific on details. The Department of Transportation and the Federal Railroad Administration, as well as the government corporation AMTRAK would work to develop regulations (rules) that would accomplish that goal.