2.14 Holding the Bureaucracy Accountable

• The bureaucracy is a system of organization and governance that administers and implements public policy
• What is the role of the bureaucracy in government?

  Transform broad mandates into action
• Legislative oversight involves monitoring and evaluating the actions of the executive branch
• Executive oversight ensures agencies adhere to presidential priorities and policies.
• Match the oversight method with its purpose:

  Budget Control ↔️ Influence agency priorities

  Executive Orders ↔️ Enforce presidential directives

  Judicial Review ↔️ Ensure constitutional compliance
• Why is public transparency and accountability important for the bureaucracy?

  Ensures efficient governance
• One limitation in holding the bureaucracy accountable is the complexity of its structure
• What is an example of a bureaucracy responsible for enforcing environmental regulations?

  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• The EPA’s enforcement of environmental regulations is an example of bureaucratic regulation.
• Match the legislative oversight method with its description:

  Hearings and Investigations ↔️ Uncover misconduct and provide transparency

  Budget Control ↔️ Allocate funds and influence priorities

  Sunset Legislation ↔️ Forces periodic reassessment of laws
• What does legislative oversight ensure for the bureaucracy?

  Complies with legislative intent
• Executive orders are directives issued by the President to agencies
• Which executive body reviews agency budgets to align with presidential goals?

  Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
• Judicial review ensures bureaucratic actions comply with the Constitution and federal laws.
• The case of _Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc._ established the Chevron deference
• What can courts do if agencies exceed their legal mandates?

  Invalidate their actions
• Courts can enforce regulatory compliance by overturning non-compliant agency actions.
• What is the primary purpose of judicial review in relation to the bureaucracy?

  Ensures regulatory compliance
• The case _Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc._ established Chevron deference.
• Judicial review can overturn or modify bureaucratic policies.
• Why is public transparency and accountability essential in government?

  Maintains public trust
• The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) allows citizens to request government documents.
• Match the advantage with its challenge:

  Enhanced public trust ↔️ Requires significant resources

  Improved decision-making ↔️ Potential privacy violations

  Prevention of corruption ↔️ Can hinder government operations
• Citizens using FOIA to uncover mishandling of funds led to necessary reforms.
• What are the two main groups that hold the bureaucracy accountable?

  Interest groups and citizens
• Interest groups use lobbying to directly influence agency decisions.
• Methods citizens use to hold the bureaucracy accountable

  1️⃣ Public comments

  2️⃣ Protests

  3️⃣ Advocacy groups
• What is one major challenge in holding the bureaucracy accountable?

  Political influences
• Limited public access to bureaucratic processes undermines accountability.
• What is the role of the bureaucracy in government?

  Implements public policy
• Agencies are responsible for the implementation of policies.
• Match the legislative oversight method with its description:

  Hearings and Investigations ↔️ Formal inquiries and questioning of officials

  Budget Control ↔️ Allocation of funds to agencies

  Government Accountability Office (GAO) ↔️ Independent audits and evaluations

  Sunset Legislation ↔️ Sets expiration dates for laws
• What is the purpose of executive oversight of the bureaucracy?

  Align with presidential priorities
• Executive orders are issued by the President to direct agencies.
• Deregulation initiatives aim to reduce regulatory burdens on businesses.
• Key aspects of judicial review in the bureaucracy

  1️⃣ Authority

  2️⃣ Scope

  3️⃣ Effects
• What does the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) grant citizens the right to request?

  Government documents
• Using FOIA to uncover mishandling of funds can lead to necessary reforms.
• Interest groups use lobbying to directly influence agency decisions.
• Consumer groups lobbying the FTC led to stricter regulations for false advertising.