G7: Bureaucracy

1. Two reasons Congress gives agencies policy-making discretion in executing federal laws
1. Congress does not know everything, so they may appoint policy-making discretion to agencies who have researchers to find out the causes of some issues. For example, appointing someone from Greenpeace to help decide what laws they should put in place to counteract Global Warming.
1. Quote: "Members of Congress rely heavily on members of their staffs for information on pending legislation" (p.256)
2. They don’t really know what to base their decisions on. Maybe a Congressman does not have the necessary background to tell what is good for the Environment or not, so they call in someone from an agency to assist on their decision making
1. Quote: "Members look to party leaders for indicators on how to vote." (p.253)
2. Describe tow ways in which congress ensures that federal agencies follow legislative intent. 
1. Congressional oversight committees evaluate programs to see if they are doing their Job, and passing legislation. This is another informal power of Congress. 
2. Withdrawing funds needed to operate from agencies to regulate them.
3. Identify the policy area over which it exercises policy-making discretion
1. The Environmental Protection Agency deals with issues concerning out environment and legislative rulings on conserving natural resources. 
2. The Federal Communications Commission deals with radio and television legislature. If any ruling deal with changing the way television or radio is regulated, they are usually the first ones to know. 
3. Federal Reserve Board deals with the central bank of the United States. Any legislature dealing with money or the regulation of banks goes through the Federal Reserve Board. 
4. A specific action taken by the Federal Communications Commission to exercise duties is ratings to establish shows that are suitable for children and adults.