AP 2.13 Overview

What is the primary role of the federal bureaucracy?

• To create laws

• To implement policies created by other branches of government

• To elect government officials

• To interpret laws

Which federal department is responsible for managing highways, rails, and air travel?

• Department of Education

• Department of Homeland Security

• Department of Transportation

• Department of Veterans Affairs

Explain how discretionary authority promotes bureaucratic independence.

• It allows agencies to create laws independently.

• It enables agencies to decide on actions when implementing laws, without needing explicit instructions.

• It requires agencies to follow strict guidelines from Congress.

• It limits the power of agencies to make decisions.

Why do federal agencies have discretionary authority?

• To ensure that all laws are implemented in the same way

• To allow flexibility in the implementation of laws that may lack clear details

• To reduce the power of the executive branch

• To increase the workload of federal agencies

Describe the role of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

• To regulate the stock market

• To protect human health and the environment by developing and enforcing regulations

• To manage VA hospitals

• To administer educational policies

How does rulemaking authority increase the power of the bureaucracy?

• It allows agencies to bypass Congress in creating laws.

• It enables agencies to create rules that have the force of law, affecting how programs operate.

• It limits the ability of agencies to enforce regulations.

• It requires agencies to seek approval from the judiciary for all rules.

Analyze the impact of the Federal Elections Commission's role in administering and enforcing federal campaign finance law.

• It ensures fair elections by regulating campaign contributions and expenditures.

• It has no significant impact on election outcomes.

• It only affects state-level elections.

• It primarily focuses on voter registration processes.

Evaluate the importance of the Securities and Exchange Commission in protecting investors from fraud.

• It is not important as investors are responsible for their own protection.

• It plays a crucial role in maintaining market integrity and investor confidence.

• It only affects large corporations.

• It has minimal impact on the stock market.

What is the function of the Department of Veterans Affairs?

• To manage highways and air travel

• To promote the welfare of armed services veterans and manage VA hospitals

• To protect the United States from terrorist attacks

• To regulate the stock market

Discuss how the Department of Homeland Security's responsibilities contribute to national security.

• By managing educational policies

• By protecting the United States from terrorist attacks, controlling borders, and minimizing damage from natural disasters

• By regulating campaign finance laws

• By promoting research on education