Federal Register
Official published record of all executive branch rules, regulations, and orders.
Administrative Procedures Act (APA)
1946 act that provides a consistent blueprint for all federal organizations to issue regulations.
appropriate
Congress's power to allocate a set amount of federal dollars for a specific program or agency.
authorize
Congress's power to create a federal program or agency and set levels of federal funds to support that program or agency.
bureaucracy
Executive branch departments, agencies, boards, and commissions that carry out the responsibilities of the federal government.
bureaucratic culture
Set of beliefs and behaviors that governs how a federal agency operates.
bureaucratic reputation
Perceived quality and status of a federal agency among the federal government, the media, Congress, and the general public.
cabinet
Set of executive departments responsible for carrying out federal policy in specific issue areas.
cabinet secretaries
Heads of the cabinet departments and chief advisers to the president on the issues under their jurisdiction.
career civil servants
Federal employees who are hired through a merit-based system to implement federal programs and who are expected to be neutral in their political affiliations.
civil service
System of employment in the federal bureaucracy under which employees are chosen and promoted based on merit.
Civil Service Commission
Created by the Pendleton Act to administer entrance exams for the federal civil service and set standards for promotion based on merit.
Civil Service Reform Act
1978 act that replaces the Civil Service Commission with the Office of Personnel Management, which oversees both civil servants and political appointees.
Clean Air Act
1963 act, with amendments, that allows the government to monitor and limit the levels of air pollution.
conference committee
Temporary committee created after a bill passes the House and the Senate to resolve any differences in the provisions of the bills so a single bill can be sent to the president.
Congressional Budget Office
Estimates the cost of policy proposals for Congress.
divided government
Situation when one party controls the executive branch and the other party controls the legislative branch.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Federal agency responsible for monitoring pollution levels in the air, water, and land.
expertise
Specialized knowledge and experience in an issue area.
federal administration
Federal organization responsible for running or administering a federal program
federal board
Federal organization with a narrow scope of authority over a specific area of jurisdiction.
federal corporation
Federal organization that is similar to a private business in that it provides a service or commodity for a price to the public but that also receives federal funding.
federal regulatory commission
Federal organization that has a defined number of appointed overseers, known as commissioners, for a particular issue area.
Federal Reserve
National banking system created in 1913 to control the flow of money in the economy.
final regulations
Final version of the instructions for implementing a law.
Food and Drug Administration
Federal organization that monitors food safety and handling as well as pharmaceutical drug development.
Freedom of Information Act
1966 act that established procedures by which citizens can request documents from the federal government about its operations.
Government in the Sunshine Act
1976 act that requires government agencies to hold open forums to allow the public to comment on their decisions.
Hatch Act
1939 act that limits the political activities of federal, state, and local government employees.
Hatch Act Reform Amendments (HARA)
1993 amendments to the Hatch Act that permit political activity by government employee as long as the activities are not conducted during business hours.
independent agency
Federal organization that has independent authority and does not operate within a cabinet department.
Interstate Commerce Commission
First regulatory agency, created in 1887 specifically to monitor and prevent unfair business practices by interstate railroads.
iron triangle
Insular and closed relationship among interest groups, members of Congress, and federal agencies.
issue networks
View of the relationship among interest groups, members of Congress, and federal agencies as more fluid, open, and transparent than that described by the term iron triangle.
markup
Process whereby bills are literally "marked up," or written by the members of the committee.
Medicaid
Government health insurance program for the poor.
mission
Federal organization's defined role and set of responsibilities.
national endowment
Federal organization that distributes funds to promote a public good or service.
National Endowment for the Arts
Federal organization that funds scholarships and art made available to the general public.
National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak)
Railroad that receives federal funding.
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
Federal organization responsible for investigating transportation-related accidents and recommending safety standards.
Office of Inspector General
Office within federal organizations that monitors the activities of employees in the organization to ensure they are doing their jobs properly.
Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
Federal agency that oversees the federal budget and all federal regulations.
oversight
Power of Congress to monitor how the executive branch implements laws.
patronage system
Political system in which government programs and benefits are awarded based on political loyalty to a party or politician.
Pendleton Act
1883 act that established a merit- and performance-based system for federal employment.
political appointees
Federal employees appointed by the president with the explicit task of carrying out his political and partisan agenda.
preliminary regulations
Draft instructions for implementing a law.
presidential memorandum
Presidential directive that can reverse an existing regulation.
regulations
Guidelines issued by federal agencies for administering federal programs and implementing federal law.
regulatory process
System of rules that govern how a law is implemented; also called the rule-making process.
Schedule C appointees
Federal employees appointed by the president to oversee civil service employees.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Federal organization responsible for monitoring business practices involving the stock market.
Senior Executive Service (SES)
Senior management personnel in the federal government appointed by the president.
signing statements
Written remarks issued by the president when signing a bill into law that often reflect his interpretation of how the law should be implemented.
spoils system
Term used by Jackson's critics to describe his brand of the patronage system.
whistleblowers
Employees who report mismanagement, corruption, or illegally activity within their agencies.
amendment 1
Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression
amendment 2
Right to Bear Arms
amendment 3
Quartering of Soldiers
amendment 4
Search and Seizure
amendment 5
Trial and Punishment, Compensation for Takings
amendment 6
Right to Speedy Trial, Confrontation of Witnesses
amendment 7
Trial by Jury in Civil Cases
amendment 8
Cruel and Unusual Punishment
amendment 9
Construction of Constitution
amendment 10
Powers of the States and People
amendment 11
Judicial Limits
amendment 12
Choosing the President, Vice President
amendment 13
Slavery Abolished
amendment 14
Citizenship Rights
amendment 15
Race no Bar to Vote
amendment 16
Status of Income Tax Clarified
amendment 17
Senators Elected by Popular Vote
amendment 18
Liquor Abolished
amendment 19
Women's Suffrage
amendment 20
Presidential, Congressional Terms
amendment 21
Amendment 18 Repealed
amendment 22
Presidential Term Limits
amendment 23
Presidential Vote for District of Columbia
amendment 24
Poll Taxes Barred
amendment 25
Presidential Disability and Succession
amendment 26
Voting Age Set to 18 Years
amendment 27
Limiting Changes to Congressional Pay