Introduction

The federal bureaucracy is a large, hierarchical organization of executive branch employees comprising nearly 3 million individuals. It ranges from members of the president's Cabinet to accountants at the Internal Revenue Service. There are currently 441 executive branch entities that carry out the nation's business. Today, we will examine why the bureaucracy is sometimes referred to as the "fourth branch" of the federal government.

Public Perception

Duplication: No agency has exclusive authority over a particular responsibility. For example, the FBI and DEA both seek to apprehend drug dealers, creating redundancy that expands government costs and frustrates taxpayers.
Red Tape: A vast amount of paperwork, procedures, forms, and formal steps that citizens must take to accomplish a government-mandated task, such as standing in line at the DMV.
Accountability: Concerns about who holds the bureaucracy accountable. The balance of enhancing the responsiveness of the bureaucracy while also boosting efficiency can be counterproductive. Often, accountability leads to more red tape.

The Federal Bureaucracy

The President oversees the executive branch through a structured system of 15 departments. The President's cabinet makes up part of the bureaucracy, while the bureaucracy is typically merit-based. Cabinet secretaries are appointed and confirmed by the Senate. Each Cabinet Secretary oversees their department. There is some overlap between Congress and the President when it comes to interactions with the bureaucracy. Both Congress and the President exercise direct oversight over the bureaucracy by holding hearings, making appointments, and setting budget allowances. Citizens exercise their oversight powers through their use of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and by voting. Finally, bureaucrats also exercise oversight over their own institutions by using the channels carved out for whistleblowers to call attention to bureaucratic abuses.

History of the Bureaucracy

In the early days of the nation, the bureaucracy became a place to reward loyal party leaders with federal jobs (patronage), which became known as the spoils system. This created a "rotation system" of appointments regardless of merit. President James Garfield was assassinated by someone who was insisting that he give him a patronage job, drawing attention to the issue. The Pendleton Civil Service Act was passed by Congress in 1883 to prevent patronage. It created the merit system, which included competitive written exams, and the Civil Service Commission.

Responsibilities of the Bureaucracy

Writing/Enforcing Regulations: Legislation that creates and defines the departments and agencies often gives wide latitude as to how they administer the law. Laws are often vague, and so they rely on agencies and appointed officials to form the specificity of the law. Enforcement/Fines: agencies within the bureaucracy can impose fines/punishments. Involves compliance monitoring, making sure firms and companies that are subject to industry regulations are following standards and provisions, for example, the Environmental Protection Agency.

The Iron Triangle

The iron triangle is a relationship between three entities: agency, congressional committee, and an interest group. This relationship is so strong that the three entities join forces to create policy, creating tight relationships that are collectively beneficial. It is made up of Congress, the Bureaucracy, and Interest Groups (i.e. lobbying firms).

Bureaucratic Responsibilities

Federal executive branch officers can shape the enforcement of policy through instruction, directives, and personal interpretation of the laws. Congress has granted these departments varying degrees of discretionary authority in developing rules and interpreting legislation. This raises the question: does it violate the separation of powers doctrine? Is it democratic for a handful of experts to create rules that entire industries must follow?

Holding Bureaucracy Accountable

Congressional oversight is a check and balance on the agencies themselves and the president's influence on them. The House and Senate regularly conduct oversight hearings to address agency actions. Cabinet secretaries, agency directors, and other ranking bureaucrats testify before the relevant Congressional committees. Sometimes these hearings are routine, such as data collection, while other times the committee is responsible for unearthing wrongdoing. The Power of the Purse is another way in which Congress exhibits oversight. Agencies cannot spend public funds until a committee or subcommittee first passes authorization of spending measures. The President's policy goals may not take into account practical constraints of the bureaucracy, sometimes bureau