| Back to the questions...
Since the question was posted a few posts ago, I'm copying it first.
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Is Congress effective in exercising legislative oversight of the federal bureaucracy? Support your answer by:
a. Explain two specific methods Congress uses to exercise effective oversight of the federal bureaucracy.
b. Give two specific explanations for the failure of Congress to exercise effective oversight of the federal bureaucracy
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a) First, Congress controls all appropriations, so it can basically cut off funding to an agency or other part of the bureacracy to exercise oversight. Second, Congress can change the jurisdiction of bureacratic agencies.
b) Congressional oversight has failed recently due to partisan politics. Republican congressmen are often hesitant to bring blame to a president from their own politics. In addition, Congressional work has increased substantially. Congressmen now have much more work in keeping up with matters like the budget or the needs of the electorate.
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I hope that answered the question effectively. I had to look on the web for the second answer; my textbook didn't have it. :-(
Anyway, next question (from the 2002 test):
The concept of "divided government" in the United States means that one political party can control the executive branch while another controls the legislative branch. This poses problems for the President in making appointments to federal offices.
a) Describe two problems that divided government poses for the President in making federal appointments.
b) Identify and explain two ways Presidents try to overcome problems described in (a). | 
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