Chapter 10 Flashcards
Department of State
foreign policy
Department of the Treasury
managing the monetary resources of the US
Department of the Interior
protect public lands and natural resources throughout the nation and to oversee relations with Indians
Department of Agriculture
help famers improve their incomes and expand their markets
Department of Justice
oversee nation’s legal affairs
Department of Commerce
promote and protect the industrial and commercial segments of the American economy
Department of Labor
ensures safe working conditions, safe guards a minimum wage, and protects pension rights
Department of Defense
protects nation’s security
Department of Health and Human Services
directing programs concerned with the health and social services needs of the American people
Department of Housing and Urban Development
preserve nation’s communities and ensure Americans of equal housing opportunities
Department of Transportation
regulate all aspects of American transportation needs
Department of Energy
plans energy policy and researches and develops energy technology
Department of Education
coordinate federal assistance programs for public and private schools
Department of Veteran Affairs
administers several hospitals to benefit veterans and their families
Department of Homeland Security
controls the Coast Guard, Border Patrol, Immigration and Naturalization Service, Customs Service, and Federal Emergency Management Agency
GSA
constructing and maintaining all government buildings
CIA
gathers info about what is happening in other countries, evaluates it, and passes it to the president, and other foreign policy decision
TVA
builds dams and supplies electric power for an 8 state area
FDIC
insures bank accounts up to a certain amount
USPS
delivers mail and packages
Purpose of Commissions
make rules for large industries that affect the interests of the public
the Spoils System
practice of victorious politicians rewarding their followers with government jobs
civil service system
principle and practice of government employment on the basis of open, competitive examinations and merit
Office of Personnel Management
fill federal jobs
The Hatch Act
limits how involved federal government employees can become in elections
Social Security Act
made it possible for disabled workers to receive payments from the government
Bureaucracy involvement in lawmaking (3)
- help draft new bills for Congress
- testifying about legislation
- providing lawmakers with technical info they may not have access to
client groups
the individuals and groups who work with the agency and are most affected by its decisions
liaison officers
help promote good relations with Congress
2 major tools Congress uses to influence decision making in federal agencies
- new legislation
- the budget
Government Performance and Results Act
requires federal agencies to write strategic plans, set annual performance goals, and collect data the measures how well the goals are being met
power of the purse
Congress controls each agency’s budget
Administrative Procedures Act of 1946
allows citizens directly affected by the actions of federal agencies to challenge those agencies’ actions in court
injunction
an order that will stop a particular action or enforce a rule or regulation
What are iron triangles, why are they called that?
agencies, congressional committees, and client groups continuously working together because together the 3 groups have the necessary resources to satisfy each other’s needs
VA
provides important services such as hospital care
