Day 33 - Return of the RED TAPE!!!!

Learning Targets:

• Explain how the bureaucracy carries out the responsibilities of the federal government.
• Explain how the federal bureaucracy uses delegated discretionary authority for rule making and implementation.

Opener:  Bureaucratic Federalist Representative Democracy

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is just one the countless agencies within the executive branch tasked with executing the federal laws and regulations set forth by Congress and the President.  Choose one of the three tasks given to the FEC below and make an argument for why that task should be their top priority in 2020.

• Prevent election tampering/fraud
• Enforce campaign finance/fundraising laws
• Make accommodations for voting in a pandemic

Activity #1:  One Last Time in the Iron Triangle

While Congress continues to pass "stimulus" legislation, and bureaucratic agencies like the CDC, dominate the headlines, it is important to remember that interest groups also play a role in the decision making process.  

Take a look at this brief article regarding an overlooked industry in the current crisis and then consider the questions that follow.

https://www.federaltimes.com/it-networks/cloud/2020/04/16/interest-groups-call-on-congress-for-it-relief-package/

1.  How does the interest group being discussed justify their importance to Congress and the bureaucracy?

2.  What agency would be responsible for overseeing the distribution of funds and enforcement of regulations?

3.  Do you think voters would support such spending in the current crisis or is this just another example of how citizens are sometimes locked out of the iron triangle?

Close:  Mini Essay practice question for AP testers

The Paycheck Protection Program is the federal government’s main tool for keeping small businesses afloat and their workers employed during the coronavirus crisis, but critics allege that it’s failing to aid the most common type of small business — one without employees — and that’s disproportionately harming women and minority entrepreneurs.

After reading the scenario, respond to A, B, and C below:

(A) Describe a power Congress could use to address the comments outlined in the scenario.
(B) In the context of the scenario, explain how the use of congressional power described in
Part A can be affected by its interaction with the bureaucracy.
(C) In the context of the scenario, explain how the interaction between Congress and the

bureaucracy can be affected by linkage institutions (media, political parties, interest groups