FEDERAL BUREAUCRACY
MONDAY
-
Friday’s debate
Opener: Why do we vote for the President and
members of Congress? [Accountability to the voters]
Definition: “A large, complex organization made up of
appointed officials”
à What is an ‘appointed
official’?
à Why do we have/need a
bureaucracy?
Growth of bureaucracy
Washington – 4 Cabinet members, 100 employees (more worked
at Mount Vernon)
Today – Over 3 million employees in over 100 different
agencies
Why has it grown?
·
increasing population
·
growth of the economy
·
biggest reason: shift in gov’t role from protector (life, liberty,
property) to provider
Example of the New Deal
But as bureaucracy grows, what happens? [we have less
liberty]
Two issues involving bureaucracies:
·
order vs. liberty
·
authority vs. accountability
The President's Cabinet
The purpose of the Cabinet
is to advise the President on matters relating to the duties of their
respective offices. As the President's closest and most trusted advisors,
members of the Cabinet attend weekly meetings with the President. The
Constitution does not directly mention a "Cabinet," but the
Constitutional authority for a Cabinet is found in Article II, Section 2. The
Constitution states that the President "may require the opinion, in
writing of the principle officer in each of the executive departments, upon any
subject relating to the duties of their respective offices." The
Constitution does not say which or how many executive departments should be
created.
Who makes up the Cabinet?
The Cabinet traditionally
includes the Vice President and the heads of 14 executive departments-the
Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and
Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, State,
Transportation, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs, and the Attorney General.
Cabinet-level rank has also been given to the Administrator of the
Environmental Protection Agency; the Director of the Office of Management and
Budget; the Director of the National Drug Control Policy; the Assistant to the
President for Homeland Security; and the U.S. Trade Representative.
When requested by the
President, other officials are asked to attend these weekly meetings including,
the President's Chief of Staff, the Director of the Central Intelligence
Agency, the Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors, the Counselor to the
President, the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the
Administrator of the Small Business Administration, and the U.S. Representative
to the United Nations.
How does one become a member of the
Cabinet?
The 14 Secretaries from the
executive departments are appointed by the President, and they must be
confirmed by a majority vote (51 votes) of the Senate. They cannot be a member
of Congress or hold any other elected office. Cabinet appointments are for the
duration of the administration, but the President may dismiss any member at any
time, without approval of the Senate. In addition, they are expected to resign
when a new President takes office.
The following is a list of
the current heads of the 14 executive department agencies, their department,
when that department was created, and a brief description of the department
from the United
States Government Manual. The list is organized by order of succession.
More information about each department can be found in the United States
Government Manual on GPO Access. Clicking on the name of the
department will take you to that department's Web site.
Secretary of State Colin L. Powell
Department
of State (1789):
The Department of State advises the President in the formulation and execution
of foreign policy and promotes the long-range security and well-being of the
United States. The Department determines and analyzes the facts relating to
American overseas interests, makes recommendations on policy and future action,
and takes the necessary steps to carry out established policy. In so doing, the
Department engages in continuous consultations with the American public, the
Congress, other U.S. departments and agencies, and foreign governments;
negotiates treaties and agreements with foreign nations; speaks for the United
States in the United Nations and other international organizations in which the
United States participates; and represents the United States at international
conferences.
The Secretary of State is
responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and supervision of U.S.
foreign relations and for the interdepartmental activities of the U.S.
Government abroad. The Secretary is the first-ranking member of the Cabinet, is
a member of the National Security Council, and is in charge of the operations of
the Department, including the Foreign Service.
Secretary of the Treasury Paul H. O'Neill
Department
of the Treasury (1789):
The Department of the Treasury performs four basic functions: formulating and
recommending economic, financial, tax, and fiscal policies; serving as
financial agent for the U.S. Government; enforcing the law; and manufacturing
coins and currency.
As a major policy adviser
to the President, the Secretary of the Treasury has primary responsibility for
formulating and recommending domestic and international financial, economic,
and tax policy; participating in the formulation of broad fiscal policies that
have general significance for the economy; and managing the public debt. The
Secretary also oversees the activities of the Department in carrying out its
major law enforcement responsibility; in serving as the financial agent for the
U.S. Government; and in manufacturing coins, currency, and other products for
customer agencies. The Secretary also serves as the Government's chief
financial officer.
Secretary of Defense Donald H.
Rumsfeld
Department
of Defense (1947):
The Department of Defense is responsible for providing the military forces
needed to deter war and protect the security of our country. The major elements
of these forces are the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force, consisting of
about 1.4 million men and women on active duty. They are backed, in case of
emergency, by the 1 million members of the Reserve and National Guard. In
addition, there are about 700,000 civilian employees in the Defense Department.
Under the President, who is
also Commander-in-Chief, the Secretary of
Defense exercises authority, direction, and control over the Department, which
includes the separately organized military departments of Army, Navy, and Air
Force, the Joint Chiefs of Staff providing military advice, the unified
combatant commands, and various defense agencies established for specific
purposes.
Attorney General John Ashcroft
Department
of Justice (1870):
As the largest law firm in the Nation, the Department of Justice serves as
counsel for its citizens. It represents them in enforcing the law in the public
interest. Through its thousands of lawyers, investigators, and agents, the
Department plays the key role in protection against criminals and subversion, in
ensuring healthy competition of business in our free enterprise system, in
safeguarding the consumer, and in enforcing drug, immigration, and
naturalization laws.
The affairs and activities
of the Department of Justice are generally directed by the Attorney General.
The Attorney General represents the United States in legal matters generally
and gives advice and opinions to the President and to the heads of the
executive departments of the Government when so requested. The Attorney General
appears in person to represent the Government before the U.S. Supreme Court in
cases of exceptional gravity or importance.
Secretary of the Interior Gale A. Norton
Department
of the Interior (1849):
The mission of the Department of the Interior is to protect and provide access
to our Nation's natural and cultural heritage and honor our trust
responsibilities to tribes. The Department manages the Nation's public lands
and minerals, national parks, national wildlife refuges, and western water
resources and upholds Federal trust responsibilities to Indian tribes. It is
responsible for migratory wildlife conservation; historic preservation;
endangered species; surface-mined lands
protection and restoration; mapping; and geological, hydrological, and
biological science.
The Secretary of the
Interior reports directly to the President and is responsible for the direction
and supervision of all operations and activities of the Department.
Secretary of Agriculture Ann M. Veneman
Department
of Agriculture (1862):
The Department of Agriculture works to improve and maintain farm income and to
develop and expand markets abroad for agricultural products. The Department
helps to curb and to cure poverty, hunger, and malnutrition. It works to
enhance the environment and to maintain production capacity by helping
landowners protect the soil, water, forests, and other natural resources. Rural
development, credit, and conservation programs are key resources for carrying
out national growth policies. Department research findings directly or
indirectly benefit all Americans. The Department, through inspection and
grading services, safeguards and ensures standards of quality in the daily food
supply.
The Secretary of
Agriculture reports directly to the President and is responsible for the
direction and supervision of all operations and activities of the Department.
TUESDAY
Secretary of Commerce Donald L. Evans
Department
of Commerce (1903):
The Department of Commerce encourages, serves, and promotes the Nation's
international trade, economic growth, and technological advancement. The
Department provides a wide variety of programs through the competitive free
enterprise system. It offers assistance and information to increase America's
competitiveness in the world economy; administers programs to prevent unfair
foreign trade competition; provides social and economic statistics and analyses
for business and government planners; provides research and support for the
increased use of scientific, engineering, and technological development; works
to improve our understanding and benefits of the Earth's physical environment
and oceanic resources; grants patents and registers trademarks; develops
policies and conducts researsch on telecommunications; provides assistance to
promote domestic economic development; and assists in the growth of minority
businesses.
The Secretary of Commerce
is responsible for the administration of all functions and authorities assigned
to the Department of Commerce and for advising the President on Federal policy
and programs affecting the industrial and commercial segments of the national
economy.
Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao
Department
of Labor (1913):
The purpose of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote, and develop the
welfare of the wage earners of the United States, to improve their working
conditions, and to advance their opportunities for profitable employment. In
carrying out this mission, the Department administers a variety of Federal
labor laws guaranteeing workers' rights to safe and healthful working
conditions, a minimum hourly wage and overtime pay, freedom from employment
discrimination, unemployment insurance, and workers' compensation. The
department also protects workers' pension rights; provides for job training
programs; helps workers find jobs; works to strengthen free collective
bargaining; and keeps track of changes in employment, prices, and other
national economic measurements. As the Department seeks to assist all Americans
who need and want to work, special efforts are made to meet the unique job
market problems of older workers, youths, minority group members, women, the
handicapped, and other groups.
The Secretary of Labor is the
principal adviser to the President on the development and execution of policies
and the administration and enforcement of laws relating to wage earners, their
working conditions, and their employment opportunities.
Secretary of Health and Human
Services Tommy G. Thompson
Department
of Health and Human Services (1953):
The Department of Health and Human Services is the Cabinet-level department of
the Federal executive branch most involved with the Nation's human concerns. In
one way or another, it touches the lives of more Americans than any other
Federal agency. It is literally a department of people serving people, from
newborn infants to persons requiring health services to our most elderly
citizens.
The Secretary of Health and
Human Services advises the President on health, welfare, and income security
plans, policies, and programs of the Federal Government; and directs Department
staff in carrying out the approved programs and activities of the Department
and promotes general public understanding of the Department's goals, programs,
and objectives.
Secretary of Housing and Urban
Development Mel Martinez
Department
of Housing and Urban Development (1965):
The Department of Housing and Urban Development is the principal Federal agency
responsible for programs concerned with the Nation's housing needs, fair
housing opportunities, and improvement and development of the Nation's communities.
The Department of Houseing and Urban Development was created to: administer the
principal programs that provide assistance for housing and for the development
of the Nation's communities; encourage the solution of housing and community
development problems through States and localities; and encourage the maximum
contributions that may be made by vigorous private homebuilding and mortgage
lending industries, both primary and secondary, to housing, community
development, and the national economy.
The Secretary of Housing
and Urban Develepment formulates recommendations for basic policies in the
fields of housing and community development; encourages private enterprise
participation in housing and community development; promotes the growth of
cities and States and the efficient and effective use of housing and community
and economic development resources by stimulating private sector initiatives,
public/private sector partnerships, and public entrepreneurship; ensures equal
access to housing and affirmatively prevents discrimination in housing; and
provides general oversight for the Federal National Mortgage Association.
Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta
Department
of Transportation (1966):
The U.S. Department of Transportation establishes the Nation's overall
transportation policy. Under its umbrella there are 10 administrations whose
jurisdictions include highway planning, development, and construction; urban
mass transit; railroads; aviation; and the safety of waterways, ports,
highways, and oil and gas pipelines. Decisions made by the Department in
conjunction with the appropriate State and local officials strongly affect
other programs such as land planning, energy conservation, scarce resource
utilization, and technological change.The Department of Transportation was
established ``to assure the coordinated, effective administration of the
transportation programs of the Federal Government'' and to develop ``national
transportation policies and programs conducive to the provision of fast, safe,
efficient, and convenient transportation at the lowest cost consistent
therewith.''
Secretary The Department of
Transportation is administered by the Secretary of Transportation, who is the
principal adviser to the President in all matters relating to Federal
transportation programs.
Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham
Department
of Energy (1977):
The Department of Energy, in partnership with its customers, is entrusted to
contribute to the welfare of the Nation by providing the technical information
and the scientific and educational foundation for the technology, policy, and
institutional leadership necessary to achieve efficiency in energy use,
diversity in energy sources, a more productive and competitive economy,
improved environmental quality, and a secure national defense.
The Secretary of Energy
decides major energy policy and planning issues; acts as the principal
spokesperson for the Department; and ensures the effective communication and
working relationships with Federal, State, local, and tribal governments and
the public. The Secretary is the principal adviser to the President on energy
policies, plans, and programs.
Secretary of Education Rod Paige
Department
of Education (1979):
The Department of Education establishes policy for, administers, and
coordinates most Federal assistance to education. Its mission is to ensure
equal access to education and to promote educational excellence throughout the
Nation.
The Secretary of Education
advises the President on education plans, policies, and programs of the Federal
Government and serves as the chief executive officer of the Department,
coordinating and overseeing all Department activities, providing support and
encouragement to States and localities on matters related to education, and
focusing the resources of the Department and the attention of the country on
ensuring equal access to education and promoting educational excellence
throughout the Nation.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi
Department
of Veterans Affairs (1988):
The Department of Veterans Affairs operates programs to benefit veterans and
members of their families. Benefits include compensation payments for
disabilities or death related to military service; pensions; education and
rehabilitation; home loan guaranty; burial; and a medical care program
incorporating nursing homes, clinics, and medical centers. The Department is
comprised of three organizations that administer veterans programs: the
Veterans Health Administration, the Veterans Benefits Administration, and the
National Cemetery Administration. Each organization has field facilities and a
central office component.
The Secretary
of Veterans Affairs reports directly to the President and is responsible for
the direction and supervision of all operations and activities of the
Department.
(Excerpted from
http://bensguide.gpo.gov/6-8/government/national/executive.html)
Federal Agencies
·
Created by Congress
Executive Agencies
Opening writing
prompt (10 minutes): Think of something the federal government should do,
and then create an agency to perform the task, complete with rules and powers.
1000s of rules every year
Failure to comply: fines,
confiscation of property, imprisonment
Businesses need to spend
R&D money on lawyers
Many reg. Agencies are
legislative, judicial, and executive in scope
Administrative law judges
(ALJs):
Founding Fathers fear
concentrated power (use of separation of powers)
Serious problems with
expanding bureaucracy:
President Ford: “…a
government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big
enough to take from you everything you have.”
In 1982, journalists found
that 310 different federal regulations governed the ingredients used to
manufacture a pizza
Hidden costs of regulations:
Regulations represent a huge cost to American businesses of meeting regulatory
requirements
<work on handout and
related questions?>
Reforming the bureaucracy
How to do it?
Options:
Liberty only occurs when the
power of government is limited
Writing prompt: How would
you reduce the power of bureaucracies?
<Any extra time to begin
work on essay exam>