TOPIC 2.13  Discretionary and  Rule-Making Authority

The federal bureaucracy implements federal policies 

Explain how the federal bureaucracy uses delegated discretionary authority for rule making and implementation 

Discretionary and rule-making authority to implement policy are given to bureaucratic agencies, including: 

•  Department of Homeland Security

•  Department of Transportation 

• Department of Veterans Affairs 

•  Department of Education 

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 

•  Federal Elections Commission (FEC) 

•  Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) 

The various Executive Departments of the federal government have broad discretion to act. Acting like legislators, chief executives and the courts; the U.S. Department of Agriculture can manage favorably controversial ethanol policies; the U.S. Department of Defense can modernize weapon systems; the U.S. Department of Homeland Security can initiate contentious meta data collections; the U.S. Department of Transportation can administer massive infrastructure improvement plans; the U.S. Department of State can direct clandestine foreign intelligence operations; the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs can oversee vast health care networks; and the U.S. Department of Education can help to transform classrooms in remote villages and hamlets of America