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Understanding Federal Bureaucracy in Government

Apr 30, 2025

Heimlich's History: Federal Bureaucracy

Overview

  • Focus on Unit 2 of AP Government curriculum.
  • Topic: How the federal bureaucracy carries out the will of the executive branch.
  • Key Objective: Explain how the federal bureaucracy uses delegated discretionary authority for rulemaking and implementation.

Federal Bureaucracy

  • Made up of millions who work in agencies and departments under the executive branch.
  • Executive branch's role: Execute laws passed by Congress.
    • President: Figurehead responsible for law execution.
  • Bureaucracy: Executes laws because a single president cannot oversee everything.
  • Departments and agencies create specific rules and regulations to enforce laws.

Delegated Discretionary Authority

  • Bureaucratic agencies have no constitutional authority; power is delegated to enforce laws.
  • Agencies filled with experts have discretion to decide law implementation specifics.
  • Rule-making authority: Agencies make specific rules for law implementation.

Example: The IRS

  • 16th Amendment (1913): Establishes income tax.
  • IRS: Bureaucratic agency responsible for tax rule-making.
    • Decides tax due dates, payment methods, etc.

Key Bureaucratic Agencies and Their Authority

  1. Department of Homeland Security

    • Protects against terrorism, maintains border control.
    • Sets rules for immigration and asylum.
  2. Department of Transportation

    • Manages transportation (highway, air travel).
    • Sets rules for flight attendant work hours/rest.
  3. Department of Veteran Affairs

    • Manages welfare of veterans.
    • Sets rules for veterans hospitals, education, and home loans.
  4. Department of Education

    • Manages state implementation of federal education standards.
    • Sets rules for federal grants and qualifications.
  5. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

    • Protects environment and human health.
    • Sets regulations preventing nuclear waste disposal in rivers.
  6. Federal Elections Commission

    • Enforces campaign finance laws.
    • Sets rules for political candidate qualification and fundraising.
  7. Securities and Exchange Commission

    • Regulates the stock market and prevents fraud.
    • Enforces rules against insider trading.

Conclusion

  • Understanding these agencies and their authorities is crucial for AP Government success.
  • Encouragement to subscribe for more educational content.