The Executive Branch at Work Lesson 3 PDF

The Executive Branch at Work Lesson 3 The Independent Agencies Photo credit: FRC Collection/Alamy Stock Photo Copyright © Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved. Savvas is not responsible for any modifications made by end users t...

The Executive Branch at Work Lesson 3 The Independent Agencies Photo credit: FRC Collection/Alamy Stock Photo Copyright © Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved. Savvas is not responsible for any modifications made by end users to the content posted in its original format.  The Executive Branch at Work Lesson 3 The Independent Agencies Learning Objectives Explain why Congress created the independent agencies. Identify the characteristics of independent executive agencies. Describe the history, purpose, and effect on private enterprise of selected independent executive agencies and regulatory commissions, including NASA and the EPA. Explain the structure and function of government corporations. Copyright © Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved. Savvas is not responsible for any modifications made by end users to the content posted in its original format.  The Executive Branch at Work Lesson 3 The Independent Agencies Key Terms independent agencies independent executive agencies civil service patronage spoils system draft independent regulatory commissions government corporations Andrew Jackson James Garfield Chester Arthur Theodore Roosevelt Jimmy Carter Copyright © Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved. Savvas is not responsible for any modifications made by end users to the content posted in its original format.  The Purpose of Independent Agencies Until the 1880s, nearly all the Federal Government did was done through its Cabinet departments. Since then, however, Congress has created a large number of additional agencies—the independent agencies— located outside the departments. In addition to the executive departments, these agencies are the major mechanism through which the Federal Government carries out the nation’s domestic policies. Copyright © Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved. Savvas is not responsible for any modifications made by end users to the content posted in its original format.  The Purpose of Independent Agencies The Reasons Congress Created Independent Agencies The Independent Agency Umbrella Copyright © Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved. Savvas is not responsible for any modifications made by end users to the content posted in its original format.  The Purpose of Independent Agencies A Peace Corps volunteer works with a farmer in Senegal. Since the Corps was established as an independent agency in 1961, more than 200,000 volunteers have worked in 139 countries. Photo credit: Charles O. Cecil/AGE Fotostock Copyright © Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved. Savvas is not responsible for any modifications made by end users to the content posted in its original format.  The Purpose of Independent Agencies The three types of independent agencies are distinctly different, but they do share some common features. Analyze Charts What features do these three types of agencies share? Copyright © Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved. Savvas is not responsible for any modifications made by end users to the content posted in its original format.  Independent Executive Agencies The independent executive agencies include most of the non-Cabinet agencies. Some are huge, with thousands of employees, multimillion- dollar or even multibillion-dollar budgets, and extremely important public tasks to perform. Copyright © Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved. Savvas is not responsible for any modifications made by end users to the content posted in its original format.  Independent Executive Agencies The National Science Foundation: Scientific Discoveries and Technological Innovations NASA—An Independent Executive Agency NASA’s Space Shuttle Program The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) The Spoils System The Pendleton Act Today’s Civil Service The Selective Service System The Draft Today Copyright © Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved. Savvas is not responsible for any modifications made by end users to the content posted in its original format.  Independent Executive Agencies An FDA agent inspects food products at a processing plant. Predict Consequences What might be the result if the FDA did not regulate food safety? Photo credit: FRC Collection/Alamy Stock Photo Copyright © Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved. Savvas is not responsible for any modifications made by end users to the content posted in its original format.  Independent Executive Agencies NASA’s technological advances have ensured successful space travel and benefited the general public. Analyze Information How have each of these NASA innovations benefited civilians? Copyright © Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved. Savvas is not responsible for any modifications made by end users to the content posted in its original format.  Independent Regulatory Commissions The independent regulatory commissions stand out among the independent agencies because they are largely beyond the reach of presidential direction and control. These agencies were created to regulate important aspects of the nation’s economy. A notable example is the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). It regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable while ensuring reasonable rates. A second example is the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) that works to protect employee and employer rights as well as addresses unfair labor practices. Copyright © Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved. Savvas is not responsible for any modifications made by end users to the content posted in its original format.  Independent Regulatory Commissions Structured for Independence Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Powers Securities and Exchange Commission Filling In for Congress Impact of Independent Regulatory Agencies Copyright © Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved. Savvas is not responsible for any modifications made by end users to the content posted in its original format.  Independent Regulatory Commissions A radio station host talks to listeners on the air. The radio waves, as well as any content transmitted over them, are regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Photo credit: Bill Greenblatt/UPI/Newscom Copyright © Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved. Savvas is not responsible for any modifications made by end users to the content posted in its original format.  Government Corporations A number of independent agencies are government corporations. They, too, are located within the vast executive branch and are subject to presidential direction and control. Unlike the other independent agencies, however, they were set up by Congress to carry out certain businesslike activities. Copyright © Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved. Savvas is not responsible for any modifications made by end users to the content posted in its original format.  Government Corporations Differences Between Government and Private Corporations Varying Levels of Independence Copyright © Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved. Savvas is not responsible for any modifications made by end users to the content posted in its original format.  Government Corporations Operated by the Army Corps of Engineers, the Center Hill Hydroelectric Dam in Tennessee features the ACOE’s second largest flood control reservoir. The TVA operates 47 similar dams in the area. Photo credit: Tom Brakefield/Getty Images Copyright © Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved. Savvas is not responsible for any modifications made by end users to the content posted in its original format.  Government Corporations Government corporations blur the line between public and private businesses. Analyze Charts What are some ways that government and private corporations are similar? Copyright © Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved. Savvas is not responsible for any modifications made by end users to the content posted in its original format.  Quiz: The Purpose of Independent Agencies Which of the following is TRUE about most independent agencies? A. They are independent of the President and the executive branch. B. They are not independent of the President and the executive branch. C. They are independent of the President but subject to congressional control. D. They are independent of Congress but subject to the control of the President. Copyright © Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved. Savvas is not responsible for any modifications made by end users to the content posted in its original format.  Quiz: Independent Executive Agencies The main goal of the civil service today is to A. do away with the spoils system and other forms of patronage. B. provide jobs for those seeking positions in the Federal Government. C. make sure that federal employees do not favor one political party. D. recruit and keep the best people in the federal workforce. Copyright © Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved. Savvas is not responsible for any modifications made by end users to the content posted in its original format.  Quiz: Independent Regulatory Commissions The FCC is headed by five commissioners appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Only three of the five can belong to the same political party. The FCC is structured in this way to A. maintain widespread monitoring of communications usage. B. ensure consistent rates for public broadcasters. C. prevent the President and either party from having too much influence over the agency. D. balance leadership between the President and private companies. Copyright © Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved. Savvas is not responsible for any modifications made by end users to the content posted in its original format.  Quiz: Government Corporations The biggest advantage of government corporations is their A. flexibility. B. low operating costs. C. productivity. D. profitability. Copyright © Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved. Savvas is not responsible for any modifications made by end users to the content posted in its original format.