1.
appropriation: a legislative grant of money to finance a government program or agency
2.
authorization legislation: legislative permission to begin or continue a government program or agency
3.
bureaucracy: a large, complex organization composed of appointed officials
4.
committee clearance: the ability of a congressional committee to review and approve certain agency decisions in advance and without passing a law
5.
competitive service: the government offices to which people are appointed on the basis of merit, as ascertained by a written exam or by applying certain selection criteria
6.
discretionary authority: the extent to which appointed bureaucrats can choose courses of action and make policies not spelled out in advance by laws
7.
government by proxy: Washington pays state and local governments and private groups to staff and administer federal programs
8.
iron triangle: a close relationship between an agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group
9.
issue network: a network of people in Washington, D.C.-based interest groups, on congressional staffs, in universities, and think tanks, and in the mass media, who regularly discuss and advocate public policies
10.
laissez-faire: an economic theory that government should not regulate or interfere with commerce
11.
legislative veto: the authority of Congress to block a presidential action after it has taken place (the Supreme Court has held that Congress does not have this power)
12.
name-request job: a job filled by a person whom an agency has already identified
13.
red tape: complex bureaucratic rules and procedures that must be followed to get something done
14.
trust funds: funds for government programs collected and spent outside the regular government budget
