AP U.S. Government and Politics Glossary

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Jonathan Milner Jonathan Milner

Independent Agencies

Definition

Independent agencies are federal agencies that are not part of the executive, legislative, or judicial branches of the government. They are usually independent of presidential control because the president's power to dismiss agency members or the head of the agency is limited. Independent agencies perform a variety of functions, including: administrative, political, research, and statistical. In the 1930s, Congress created independent specialized agencies that were housed under the executive branch and staffed with experts, career scientists, and other nonpartisan employees who work in the public interest and are in charge of keeping Americans’ water clean, transportation safe, and medicines effective. These independent regulatory agencies were created by Congress, funded by Congress, and are directly responsible to Congress. Congress created them to be independent not under the direct control of the president. Independent agencies include:

  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

  • Federal Elections Commission (FEC)

  • Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

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Example

 
 

Questions

  1. What is an independent agency?

  2. From whom are they independent?

  3. Why do they need to be independent?

  4. What is the relationship between independent agencies and the federal bureaucracy?

  5. Find an image or emoji that does a good job of conveying the meaning of independent agency.

  6. What is the relationship between independent agencies and the branches of government?

  7. Why are most bureaucrats non-political appointees?

  8. What independent agency have you personally had contact with?

  9. What is your favorite independent agency?

  10. How do you think the current administration will alter the power of independent agencies?

Remember!

Now, let’s commit this term to our long-term memory. On a scrap piece of paper, take 10 or 20 seconds to draw independent agencies. Draw with symbols or stick figures if you wish. Nothing fancy. Don’t expect a masterpiece. No one else will see this but you. Look at your drawing. That’s all - now it’s downloaded into your memory. Destroy the piece of paper in a most delightful way.

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