AP Gov Topic 2.12

Open Ended

Can you name all 15 federal cabinet departments?

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes the organization of the federal bureaucracy?

• A single, unified agency under direct presidential control

• A hierarchical structure composed of departments, agencies, and commissions

• A group of elected officials who oversee policy implementation

• A coalition of private organizations that advise the president

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements about cabinet departments is accurate?

• Each is led by a member of Congress.

• They are independent of presidential authority.

• They are major administrative units with responsibility for broad areas of government operations.

• They only provide advisory roles and have no enforcement power.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is responsible for the creation of new federal agencies?

• Federal Department of Development

• Congress

• Office of Management and Budget

• Executive Office of the President

Multiple Choice

What is the primary reason that some agencies are designated as "independent"?

• They need to be able to make decisions free from direct presidential or political influence

• The president needs to be able to issue executive orders directly to these agencies

• Congress needs the power to appoint top officials in these agencies

• The regulatory and enforcement power of these agencies needs to be monitored by Congress

Multiple Choice

Which is an example of a regulatory commission?

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best explains why administrative agencies were created?

• To allow Congress to directly enforce the laws it passes

• To ensure states could control implementation of federal policy

• To interpret the whether or not laws are valid under the Constitution

• To assist the President in implementing and enforcing the laws of the United States

Multiple Choice

The fact that agencies make rules and regulations pursuant to congressional delegations of power raises which constitutional concern?

• Agencies are exercising judicial review powers reserved for the courts.

• Agencies are enforcing state laws instead of federal ones.

• Agencies may be exercising legislative power that belongs to Congress.

• Agencies are violating the Supremacy Clause.

Multiple Choice

What constitutional issue arises from Congress creating independent agencies whose leaders cannot easily be removed by the President?

• It may violate the concept of a unitary executive by creating a “plural executive.”

• It strengthens judicial oversight of the executive branch.

• It limits Congress’s power to delegate authority.

• It enhances presidential control over all executive functions.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following would likely require members of the bureaucracy to testify before Congress?

• agenda setting

• rule making

• oversight

• compliance monitoring

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes an iron triangle?

• The informal relationship between federal, state, and local governments in implementing federal programs

• The alliance among congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups to influence policy

• The relationship between the President, the Supreme Court, and Congress when reviewing legislation

• The competition among the three branches of government over influence of government agencies

Multiple Choice

How do issue networks differ from iron triangles?

• Issue networks are more temporary and involve a wider range of actors, including academics and media.

• Iron triangles include interest groups, while issue networks do not.

• Issue networks only form around military and foreign policy issues.

• Iron triangles are informal, while issue networks are legally mandated.

Multiple Choice

The Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act (1883) primarily sought to:

• Replace the spoils system with a merit-based system for federal employment

• Increase political appointments within the executive branch

• Limit congressional oversight of the bureaucracy

• Eliminate regulatory agencies

Multiple Choice

The Hatch Act (1939) was designed to:

• Expand collective bargaining rights for government workers

• Require Senate confirmation of high-level bureaucrats

• Limit the overtly political or partisan activities of federal employees

• Prevent members of Congress from holding positions in the executive branch