Question
What happens if Congress thinks government agencies are not doing their job? square square
Answer
4.4
(240 Votes)
Skye
Elite · Tutor for 8 years
Answer
If Congress believes government agencies are not doing their job, they can modify or cut their funding, propose new legislation to overhaul them, initiate investigations, or leverage their oversight capabilities to scrutinize the agency's providers.
Explanation
The question wants to understand the various actions that might be taken if Congress believes that government agencies are not working efficiently. This is tied to the system of checks and balances established in constitutional governance, where different branches have the ability to oversee and influence other branches. When Congress believes a governmental agency is falling short of what it’s intended to do, it has several routes it may pursue. These include budgetary tools where Congress may decide to reduce the funding, or altogether defund, that the government agency receives each year. Additionally, all major agencies are overseen by at least one House and/or Senate committee; these standing committees have the power to hold hearings questioning the operation, policies and practices of that agency. Legislators could propose new legislation specifically designed to change the functions, responsibilities, and roles of the agency, or get rid of it. The threat of such actions can, in theory, act to prod the administrative agency to action. Congress may also pursue conducting investigations or audits if they believe agencies are not fulfilling their job requirements effectively. So, oversight, legislative amendments, and usage of financial leverage are the primary methods that Congress has at its disposal to respond to government agencies not meeting their responsibilities.