Date: November 19, 2012

Topic: Congressional Oversight of the Bureaucracy.

Aim: How does Congress exercise effective and ineffective oversight of the Bureaucracy?

Do Now: Multiple Choice Questions.

How did the reading from Heclo impact your thoughts on the bureaucracy? Why?

Methods of Effective Congressional Oversight of Bureaucracy.

Budget control. Reauthorization/Jurisdiction of

agencies. Setting guidelines for agencies. Committee hearings. Sunset Law – expiration

date/termination date of a government program.

Casework as a source of information – information that congressmen receive from constituents.

Program evaluation.

Reasons for Oversight Failure

Oversight is labor intensive – need expertise.

Interest groups may encourage Congress to overlook things.

Iron Triangles may foster strong/loyal relationships.

Independence of the Bureaucracy

Merit System – hiring or promotion based on experience, testing, or qualifications (opposite spoils system).

Structure of the Bureaucracy that contributes to independence:

a.) Large – size contributes to bureaucracy acting on its own.

b.) Specialized – people without knowledge on issue makes it difficult to penetrate.

c.) Some positions come with tenure.d.) Regulatory agencies (SEC) act independently through making sure rules are being followed.

Complexity of Public Policy Problems that Contribute to Independence:Specialization.Delegating authority.Discretionary authority

CLICK.

Constitutional Provisions Used to Check Bureaucracy

Congressa.) Appropriations – can reward or punish through them.b.) Legislation – can be passed affecting bureaucracy.c.) Rejection of Presidential appointments to bureaucracy.d.) Impeachment of executive officials.CourtsCourt rulings can limit bureaucracy – judicial review. Interest GroupsLobbying.Protests.Media Use.General Speech.