How much control does the public, through its elected representatives in Congress, exercise over the bureaucracy?
The public, through its elected representatives in Congress, exercises a significant level of control over the bureaucracy. This control stems from Congress's powers of oversight, legislation, and the ability to allocate funds.
Firstly, Congress exercises control through its oversight function. Members of Congress have the authority to conduct investigations, hold hearings, and request information from executive branch agencies. This allows them to monitor the actions and operations of the bureaucracy, ensuring that it operates in accordance with the laws and regulations set by Congress.
Secondly, Congress exercises control through legislation. It has the power to pass laws that shape the authority, structure, and functions of the bureaucracy. Congress can create new agencies, modify the jurisdiction of existing agencies, and even abolish agencies if necessary. Through legislation, Congress can also set policy goals, mandate procedures, and establish standards for the bureaucracy to follow.
Lastly, Congress exercises control over the bureaucracy through its power of the purse. As the sole branch of government with the authority to appropriate funds, Congress determines the budgetary resources available to the bureaucracy. By allocating funds to different agencies and programs, Congress can influence the priorities and activities of the bureaucracy. Additionally, Congress can use its control over the budget to impose conditions or require reports on agency performance, further enhancing its oversight role.
However, it is important to note that the level of control varies depending on the political dynamics, the complexity of the issue, and the extent of public interest. Sometimes, bureaucratic agencies may have a degree of discretion in policy implementation that is not explicitly determined by Congress. Additionally, the influence of individual members of Congress or interest groups can also affect the degree of control the public exerts over the bureaucracy.