Essay 16

The United States congress and the president together have the power to enact federal law. Federal bureaucratic agencies have the responsibility to execute federal law. However, in the carrying out of these laws, federal agencies have policy making discretion. Congress gives federal agencies policy making discretion in executing federal laws because they do not have the expertise that the agencies have and they are more efficient, making it easier for everyone to come to an agreement.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) exercises its policy-making discretion in order to keep our air and water clean.  They can do this by regulating the use of chemicals in domestic and industrial areas.

Congress ensures that federal agencies follow legislative intent through hearings, investigations, oversight, and more.  They can change laws and veto certain legislation that they dont agree with.

2006-3 The United States congress and the president together have the power to enact federal law. Federal bureaucratic agencies have the responsibility to execute federal law. However, in the carrying out of these laws, federal agencies have policy making discretion.
(1) Explain two reasons why Congress gives federal agencies policy making discretion in executing federal laws.
(2) Choose one of the bureaucratic agencies listed below. Identify the policy area over which it exercises policy-making discretion and give one specific example of how it exercises that discretion.
a. Environmental Protection Agency
b. Federal Communications Commission
c. Federal Reserve board
(3) Describe two ways in which Congress ensures that federal agencies follow legislative intent.