The Executive Branch Bureaucracy

Bureaucracy • A large, complex administrative system that runs the day to day

business of an organization • Has Hierarchical Authority – chain of command with a leader on

top and lower authority workers at different levels – Decisions are made easily based on leader in charge

• Has Job Specialization – each person in the bureaucracy has a specific duty that keeps the organization running – Each worker has one task and improves productivity

• Has Formalized Rules – each person in the bureaucracy follows specific regulations and procedures to assure consistency – Efficiency is maintained when decisions are based on set rules

• Examples – Schools – Hospitals – City governments – Churches

Executive Office of The President (EOP) #1

• White House Office

– Key Presidential aides work here

– West Wing

• The Oval Office and Cabinet Room are located here

• Office of the Vice President

– Located in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building (EEOB), located next to the West Wing on the White House premises

– Provides day to day needs of the Vice President

• Council of Economic Advisors

– Studies data and offers advice to the President on domestic and foreign issues that effect the economy to help set economic policy

Executive Office of The President (EOP) #2

• Office of Management and Budget – Prepares the federal budget for the President to submit to

Congress • Detailed plan for spending government income (mainly taxes) • Prioritizes needs of agencies, existing programs, President’s

programs • Monitors spending of Congress (mandatory and discretionary)

– Fiscal year is October 1 through September 30th • National Security Council

– Advises the President on matters relating to domestic, foreign and military matters that effect security of the U.S.

– Key advisors • Vice President • Secretary of State • Secretary of Defense • Secretary of Treasury • Director of National Intelligence • Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Executive Office of The President (EOP) #3

• Office of National Drug Control Policy

– Umbrella agency which provides essential staff to the President

• Prepares annual drug control strategy

• Coordinates efforts of agencies fighting the war on drugs

• Council of Environmental Quality

– Aids the President in environmental policy

– Writes an annual “State of the Environment” report to Congress

Executive Office of The President (EOP) #4

• Office of the United States Trade Representative

– Advises the President in all manners of foreign trade

– Carries the rank of ambassador

– Represents the President in foreign trade negotiations

• Office of Science and Technology Policy

– Advises the President in all scientific, engineering, and technological matters

• Office of Administration

– General housekeeping agency for all other units in the Executive Office

– Provides support services to other agencies

The Cabinet Overview

• Originally three departments – State – Treasury – War

• Each department head is called a secretary – Exception: the head of the Department of Justice

• Attorney General

• Department heads appointed by the President – Confirmed by the Senate – Usually follow party lines in appointments – President usually meets with small groups of departments

rather than the whole cabinets • Agriculture does not need to be in meetings regarding defense

• Departments have smaller agencies that report to them

The Cabinet Departments # 1 • State

– Arms Control & International Security – Economics, Energy & Environment – Civilian Security & Democracy – Public Diplomacy & Public Affairs

• Treasury – Ensures economic prosperity – Ensures the financial security of the United States – Produces of coin and currency – implements economic sanctions against foreign threats to the U.S

• Defense – Provides the military forces needed to deter war – Protects the security of the U. S. – Headquarters in the Pentagon.

• Justice – Enforce the law and defend the interests of the U.S. – Ensure public safety from both foreign and domestic threats – Provide leadership to prevent and prosecute crime – Ensure fair and impartial justice

The Cabinet Departments # 2

• Interior – manages America's natural and cultural resources

• provides scientific and other information about resources

– Honors commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and affiliated island communities

• Agriculture – provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural

development, and nutrition – promote agriculture production that better nourishes Americans

• Commerce – promotes job creation and economic growth by ensuring fair and secure trade – provide U.S.-based companies and entrepreneurs invaluable tools

• Labor – Promote wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the United States – improve working conditions – advance opportunities for profitable employment – assure work-related benefits and rights

The Cabinet Departments # 3

• Health and Human Services – Enhances and protects the health and well-being of all Americans – Fosters advances in medicine, public health, and social services

• Housing and Urban Development – Creates strong, sustainable, inclusive communities – Provides quality affordable homes for all – Strengthens the housing market to bolster the economy and protect

consumers – Meets the need for quality affordable rental homes – Builds inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination

• Transportation – Ensures a fast, safe, efficient, accessible and convenient transportation

system – Enhances the quality of life of the American people

• Energy – Ensures nations security by addressing its energy, environmental and nuclear

challenges – Transforms the nation’s energy system through clean energy technologies – Enhances nuclear security through defense

The Cabinet Departments # 4

• Education – promotes student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness – Establishes policies on federal financial aid for education and distributes

funds – Collects data on America's schools and disseminating research – Focuses national attention on key educational issues

• Veterans Affairs – Meets veterans’ medical, surgical and quality-of-life needs

• Includes hospitals, clinics, nursing homes

– Provides home loans for veterans – Maintains national cemeteries

• Homeland Security – Safeguards the American people from threats

• Secures the U.S from acts of terrorism • Maintains aviation security • Maintains border security • Maintains cybersecurity

Independent Agencies

• Created by Congress

• Three types

– Independent executive agencies

– Independent regulatory commissions

– Government corporations

• Exists outside of the Cabinet

– Protects from partisanship pressure

– Protects from special interest groups

– Necessary for sensitive needs

– Largely free of Presidential control

Independent Executive Agencies

• Performs public tasks – Specialize functions

• Headed by a single administrator – Subunits operate in regional areas

• Alphabetical list of all agencies on Government Resources page of clazenby.weebly.com

• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) – Handles the nations space program

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – Establishes and enforces pollution standards

• Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – Regulates safety standards of food, medication, medical devices, and vaccines to ensure public

safety

• National Science Foundation (NSF) – Promotes the progress of scientific discoveries and technology – 24% of funding for research goes to colleges and universities

• Office of Personnel Management (OPM) – Manages the civil service workers – Manages military workers

Independent Regulatory Commissions

• Agencies that regulate important aspects of the economy – Has legislative and judicial powers

• Headed by a board or commission of 5-7 members – Appointed by the President – Confirmed by the Senate – Lengthy terms of appointment

• Federal Communications Commission (FCC) – Regulates interstate and international communications – Radio, television, wire, satellite, cable (standardizes rates also)

• Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) – Regulates stocks, bonds, and other securities – Decide disputes between companies, brokers, and investors

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) – Ensures banks, lenders, and other financial companies treat consumers fairly

• Federal Reserve System – conducts the nation’s monetary policy – moderates long-term interest rates in the U.S. economy – Regulates safety and soundness of individual financial institutions

• Consumer Product Safety Commission – Protects the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death from consumer products

Government Corporations

• Agencies that operate like a business but are financed with public funds

• Ran by a board of directors and general manager – Subject to Presidential and Congressional oversight – Congress decides functions of the corporation

• Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) – Insures bank deposits for bank failure – Account coverage to at least $250,000 per insured bank

• Export-Import Bank of the United States – Makes loans for export and sale of American goods overseas

• United States Postal Service (USPS) – Delivers mail throughout the U. S. and the world

• National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK) – Delivers high quality, safe, on-time rail passenger service

• Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) – Provides flood control, navigation and electricity for the Tennessee River

Valley

Executive Branch Bureaucracy Terms

• Department – Cabinet ranked agencies – Cabinet heads are appointed by the President and

confirmed by the Senate

• Agency – General name for all agencies outside of the Cabinet – Agency heads are appointed by the President and do

not require confirmation of the Senate

• Executive Office of The President (EOP) – Umbrella agency for several subordinate agencies

• Selective Service – Draft for the military (aka conscription)