2.12 The Bureaucracy

What the Bureaucracy Does

The federal bureaucracy consists of agencies, departments, and commissions that implement and administer laws passed by Congress. Its main functions are rulemaking, implementation, and regulation of policy. Agencies issue detailed regulations that carry the force of law, essentially translating broad congressional statutes into specific, workable rules for citizens and businesses.

Organization & Hiring

The bureaucracy includes cabinet departments, independent agencies, and independent regulatory commissions (e.g., the SEC, FCC), which operate with more autonomy from presidential control. Most bureaucrats are hired under the merit system (via the Pankey Act/civil service exams) rather than political patronage, promoting expertise and continuity across administrations.

Congressional & Presidential Control

Both Congress and the president try to check bureaucratic power. Congress uses oversight, hearings, budget control (power of the purse), and can rewrite statutes to limit agency discretion. The president appoints agency heads and can issue executive orders. Iron triangles—relationships among agencies, congressional committees, and interest groups—also shape policy outcomes.

Key terms

Bureaucracy

The agencies, departments, and commissions that implement and administer federal laws and policies.

Rulemaking

The process by which agencies create detailed regulations that carry the force of law.

Merit system

Hiring government employees based on qualifications and exams rather than political connections.

Independent regulatory commission

An agency (e.g., SEC, FCC) that operates with more autonomy from presidential control to regulate specific industries.

Iron triangle

A stable, mutually beneficial relationship among a bureaucratic agency, congressional committee, and interest group.

Try an AP-style question

An iron triangle links…

1. voters, parties, and the media
2. the Senate, the House, and the president
3. the three branches of government
4. an agency, a committee, and an interest group