Unit Four Lesson 24

1. Unit FourLesson 24 How are National Laws Administered in the American Constitutional System?

2. Congress would need to execute the laws. The executive branch was designed to do this • The Federal Government is run by the BUREAUCRACY • 3 categories of Executive Agencies used to execute laws • Executive Departments • 15 Departments, leader (Secretary) appointed by the President • Each Secretary serves on the President’s Cabinet and is in line of succession for the Presidency • Executive Office of the President (EOP) • created to give the President the “machinery” to manage the government (budgeting, personnel management, etc) • Independent Agencies • Agencies created for a specific purpose (Social Security Agency)Often had executive, legislative and judicial functions.

3. Executive departments • Department of Agriculture (USDA) • Department of Commerce (DOC) • Department of Defense (DOD) • Department of Education (ED) • Department of Energy (DOE) • Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) • Department of Homeland Security (DHS) • Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) • Department of Justice (DOJ) • Department of Labor (DOL) • Department of State (DOS) • Department of the Interior (DOI) • Department of the Treasury • Department of Transportation (DOT) • Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

4. Why does congress create administrative organizations and what powers do they have? • Laws are often written in general terms • Executive agencies have “quasi-legislative” powers to administer the laws • Some use “quasi-judicial” powers in enforcing the laws • EXAMPLE - Internal Revenue Service (16th Amendment gave Congress the power to tax income directions) • It leaves up to the IRS to make and enforce rules about tax collection

5. How are Executive Agencies Staffed? • Civil Service Program (merit system) was created in 1883 • Congress establishes the requirements for holding office (wages, benefits, standards of performance) • Created to insulate workers from politics • OLD DAYS - Patronage: rewarding supporters by giving them permanent gov’t jobs • TODAY - Most government jobs are not reliant on who wins the election. Only appointed jobs go with the office holder • President can make APPOINTMENTS to federal agencies • Serve at the pleasure of the president • Numbers have been growing steadily • Usually lose their jobs when their person leaves office

6. Checks and Balances on The Executive branch • The President • Can fire anyone he/she appoints • Hired positions go through a government employment agency • Executive Orders – to accomplish president’s goals • Like laws – used to get job done • Congress • Creates agencies it feels necessary to fulfill agenda/laws • Senate must confirm presidential appointees • Review budgets • Each department • President’s budget • Congressional budget

7. Checks and balances • Courts • S.C. determines of other branches exceed their powers • Has ruled Congress must clear define standards • Federalism • States my opt to not enforce objectives they disagree with • States often work together to try to alter/block federal actions • Citizens, Interest Groups and the Media • Citizens work to get government to meet their needs/wants • Interest Groups keep a close eye on actions of the gov’t • Media alerts the public to problems and miscarriages of justice