1. United states government
Tuesday, November 14, 2017

2. Warm-Up Write your answers to these three Review Questions:
1) What is a “bureaucracy”?
2) What are the three main functions of the federal bureaucracy?
3) What are the four types of federal agencies?

3. HW Check/Discussion
Evidence supporting or opposing abolition of the Department of Education?

4. The federal bureaucracy: controlling the “fourth branch”

5. Who supervises the federal bureaucracy?

6. The President Supervises the Bureaucracy
The President can:
Appoint & remove agency heads
Reorganize the bureaucracy
Issue executive orders
Recommend reductions to an agency's budget
President Bush speaks about his budget priorities for FY 2007

7. Congress Oversees the Bureaucracy
Congress can:
create or abolish agencies & departments
Cut or reduce funding
Investigate agency activities
Hold committee hearings
pass legislation that alters an agency's functions
influence or even fail to confirm presidential appointments
Former FEMA Chief Michael Brown testifies before
Ho investigating Hurricane Katrina

8. Federal Courts Check the Bureaucracy
Federal courts can:
Through judicial review, rule on whether the bureaucracy has acted within the law and the U.S. Constitution
Provide due process for individuals affected by a bureaucratic action
Supreme Court of the United States

9. Thinking Critically
Why is the federal bureaucracy often referred to as “the fourth branch?”
Some critics believe that the real power in the federal government lies with the federal bureaucracy. To what extent do you believe this is true?

10. Title: Federal Employees Self Esteem Class
Artist: Chip Bok
Date: unknown
Source:

11. Title: Another Layer of Bureaucracy
Artist: Bob Englehart, The Hartford Courant
Date: February, 2006
Source: :

12. Exit Ticket: Practice MCQ
Which of these is a way in which the federal courts can act as a “check” on the federal bureaucracy?
A) They can reduce an agency’s funding.
B) They can investigate allegations of criminal behavior by agency officials.
C) People who are adversely affected by an agency’s decision can appeal the decision to a federal court.
D) The Supreme Court confirms the President’s appointments of agency heads.

13. Government Roulette!

14. Reminder Mastery Check #5: This Thursday! Unit 3 Cumulative Assessment
(A lot of stuff.)