NASA is also an independent agency. “Independent agencies usually have broad powers to provide public services that are either too expensive or too important to be left to private initiatives.” (Lowi, Ginsberg, Shepsle 296) It’s an independent agency, because it’s free from presidential control and was created for more practical and symbolic purposes unlike a cabinet department. Independent agencies are part of the executive branch and have the power of rulemaking, which is a part of the legislation process. Rulemaking can be very influential, because when the agency’s rules are in effect, they have the power of federal law. However, since NASA receives less than 1% of the federal budget, its power might be an overstatement compared to that of bureaucracies that receive more federal funding. The bureaucracy is often referred to as the “fourth branch of government,” because of its major involvement with the other three branches. The term can be used pejoratively because some believe that bureaucracy promotes inefficient government. Also, these executive agencies exercise powers from all three branches. They legislate through rulemaking, enforce the rules they make, interpret laws, settle disputes by applying rules and precedents, and conduct oversight. Most importantly, bureaucracy is necessary to implement public policy, achieve collective goals, and keep the government running.
Though many Americans don’t believe that NASA is worth 17.7 billion dollars, NASA is very effective and promotes government efficiency. NASA’s research has had such an impact on everyday life while only receiving less than 1% of the federal budget. There are still disputes over NASA’s funding between both major parties. NASA not only has been effective through its technology but also has very influential powers in the government. This is why bureaucracy is also known as the “fourth branch of government” due to the similar powers between the three branches of government and bureaucracy. A lot of people are definitely unaware of NASA’s impact on their lives, because it is working effectively and promoting government efficiency.
Works Cited
Daines, Gary. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Web. 1 Jan. 2013
Whittington, Mark. “New Poll Has Contradictory Findings for Public Support of NASA Space Exploration.” Yahoo. 26 July 2011. Web. 1 Jan. 2013. < http://news.yahoo.com/poll-contradictory-findings-public-support-nasa-space-exploration-164100958.html>
Achenbach, Joel. “NASA asteroid mission is new focus of budget debate in Congress.” The Washington Post. 20 July 2013. Web. 1 Jan. 2013.
Lowi, Theodore J., Ginsberg, Benjamin, Shepsle, Kenneth A. American Government. W.W. Norton & Company Inc., 2008. Print.
Cited: Daines, Gary. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Web. 1 Jan. 2013 Whittington, Mark. “New Poll Has Contradictory Findings for Public Support of NASA Space Exploration.” Yahoo. 26 July 2011. Web. 1 Jan. 2013. < http://news.yahoo.com/poll-contradictory-findings-public-support-nasa-space-exploration-164100958.html> Achenbach, Joel. “NASA asteroid mission is new focus of budget debate in Congress.” The Washington Post. 20 July 2013. Web. 1 Jan. 2013. Lowi, Theodore J., Ginsberg, Benjamin, Shepsle, Kenneth A. American Government. W.W. Norton & Company Inc., 2008. Print.
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