Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which characteristic distinguishes independent executive agencies from Cabinet departments?
Which characteristic distinguishes independent executive agencies from Cabinet departments?
- Independent agencies have a narrower area of responsibility and are not part of any Cabinet department. (correct)
- Cabinet departments have a narrower area of responsibility.
- Independent agencies are headed by individuals not appointed by the President.
- Cabinet departments primarily perform service functions, while independent agencies focus on regulatory functions.
The heads of independent executive agencies are typically appointed by Congress, differing from Cabinet secretaries.
The heads of independent executive agencies are typically appointed by Congress, differing from Cabinet secretaries.
False (B)
Besides administering congressional laws concerning environment and pollution, what other role does the EPA play?
Besides administering congressional laws concerning environment and pollution, what other role does the EPA play?
- It manages the Department of Agriculture, Energy, and Interior.
- It advises the President on environmental concerns and its head is considered a member of the President’s Cabinet. (correct)
- It primarily focuses on international environmental treaties and agreements.
- It regulates the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
The EPA operates completely independently without any relationships with other governmental departments or agencies.
The EPA operates completely independently without any relationships with other governmental departments or agencies.
Match the following agencies with their primary focus:
Match the following agencies with their primary focus:
Independent agencies generally perform ______ rather than regulatory functions.
Independent agencies generally perform ______ rather than regulatory functions.
Why did Congress establish independent regulatory commissions?
Why did Congress establish independent regulatory commissions?
The heads of independent regulatory commissions can be easily removed by the president.
The heads of independent regulatory commissions can be easily removed by the president.
Independent regulatory commissions are typically headed by a board composed of five to _______ members.
Independent regulatory commissions are typically headed by a board composed of five to _______ members.
What is the purpose of having fixed, staggered terms for members of independent regulatory commissions?
What is the purpose of having fixed, staggered terms for members of independent regulatory commissions?
Why are newer regulatory boards more susceptible to political influence?
Why are newer regulatory boards more susceptible to political influence?
Independent Regulatory Commissions mostly lack autonomy and freedom from political pressures
Independent Regulatory Commissions mostly lack autonomy and freedom from political pressures
What potential public perception issue might have arisen if NASA had been placed under the Department of Defense?
What potential public perception issue might have arisen if NASA had been placed under the Department of Defense?
Why do independent agencies exist apart from executive departments?
Why do independent agencies exist apart from executive departments?
NASA and EPA are examples of independent executive agencies.
NASA and EPA are examples of independent executive agencies.
Flashcards
Independent Executive Agencies
Independent Executive Agencies
Government units with specific responsibilities, not part of Cabinet departments.
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
An independent agency focused on national security and intelligence.
NASA
NASA
National Aeronautics and Space Administration focused on space exploration.
Purpose of NASA
Purpose of NASA
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Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
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EPA's Formation
EPA's Formation
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EPA's Role
EPA's Role
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Cabinet Member Status
Cabinet Member Status
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Relationship with Departments
Relationship with Departments
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Service vs. Regulatory Functions
Service vs. Regulatory Functions
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EPA Cabinet-Level Status
EPA Cabinet-Level Status
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Independent Regulatory Commissions
Independent Regulatory Commissions
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Purpose of Independent Commissions
Purpose of Independent Commissions
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Examples of Independent Commissions
Examples of Independent Commissions
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Bipartisan Boards
Bipartisan Boards
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Removal of Commission Heads
Removal of Commission Heads
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OSHA Function
OSHA Function
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Political Pressures on Regulatory Boards
Political Pressures on Regulatory Boards
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Single Administrator Boards
Single Administrator Boards
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Public Health and Safety Focus
Public Health and Safety Focus
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Study Notes
Independent Executive Agencies
- Governmental units similar to Cabinet departments, but with narrower responsibilities.
- Not part of any Cabinet department.
- Examples include the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency).
- Primarily perform service functions, not regulatory ones.
- Heads appointed by the president and serve at the president's pleasure.
NASA
- NASA's positioning could have been viewed as solely for military purposes instead of civilian satellite communications or scientific exploration.
- Independent agencies exist separately from executive departments for practical or symbolic reasons.
- NASA could have been placed within the Department of Defense, raising questions about the agency's purpose.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Created in 1970 to administer federal programs controlling pollution and protecting the environment.
- Administers congressional laws concerning the environment and pollution.
- Works alongside the Council on Environmental Quality (a staff agency) advising the president on environmental issues.
- Its head is a member of the president's Cabinet.
- Administers programs transferred from other departments (Agriculture, Energy, Interior, Health and Human Services, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission).
- The EPA's expanding national focus on the environment has led to calls for Cabinet-level status.
Independent Regulatory Commissions
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Agencies created by Congress to exist outside major departments.
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Designed to regulate specific economic activities or interests.
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Example commissions include the National Labor Relations Board, the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Communications Commission, and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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Headed by a board of 5-7 members, who are selected by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
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Members serve fixed, staggered terms to increase the chances of a bipartisan board and avoid partisan political pressure.
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Boards lack autonomy and may be susceptible to political pressure from the president.
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Members are often removed at the President's discretion.
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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is an example, promoting job safety, however often lacking autonomy from political pressures.
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Newer regulatory boards are more concerned with how the business sector relates to public health and safety.
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Description
Explanation of independent executive agencies like NASA and EPA, which operate separately from cabinet departments. NASA was created for civilian satellite communications and scientific exploration. The EPA was created in 1970 to handle environmental programs.
