Identify the major ways that the bureaucracy is held accountable by Congress.
What will be an ideal response?
There are a number of ways that Congress can hold the bureaucracy accountable. The most substantial control that Congress exerts over the bureaucracy is through its "power of the purse." Congress has constitutional authority over spending; it decides how much money will be appropriated for agency programs. Second, it can pass new or revised legislation that limits the bureaucracy's discretion or abolishes existing programs. Third, Congress also has control through its oversight function. It can investigate the bureaucracy's activities and force bureaucrats to testify about their activities. Fourth, it can write sunset laws that expire on a given date.
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Critics of the Affordable Care Act state that it unfairly requires states to do which of the following?
a. cover all children through state-run insurance b. provide free health care or lose federal funding c. accept federal funding for health care d. provide Medicare for senior citizens e. expand Medicare or lose federal funding
The election of Senator Ralph Yarborough is an example of how legislatures may
a. act with bipartisanship to achieve a fair result for voters. b. reach agreements quickly with elections are at stake. c. change rules to achieve a political advantage for their party. d. be blind to the needs of the people. e. act illegally, ignoring the laws they have passed.