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Neutral Bystander, Intrusive Micromanager, or Useful Catalyst?
Author(s) -
Jones Elise S.,
Callaway Will
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
policy studies journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.773
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1541-0072
pISSN - 0190-292X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1541-0072.1995.tb01746.x
Subject(s) - agency (philosophy) , scrutiny , legislature , legislation , appropriation , service (business) , public administration , political science , business , law , sociology , marketing , social science , philosophy , linguistics
An analysis of Forest Service‐related legislative activity found that increasingly Congress is becoming involved in agency activities and decisionmaking. Congress's growing scrutiny and management of the Forest Service is indicated by rising trends in requests for agency testimony at congressional hearings, in the number of Forest Service‐related bills and amendments introduced in Congress, and in the amount of Forest Service‐related legislation enacted. Anecdotal evidence of direct political pressure imposed upon agency personnel by congressional members also indicates that much congressional influence occurs outside of these legislative activities. An examination of activities such as these and directives attached to annual appropriation bills also shows that not all congressional actions are productive in fostering positive agency change. The results of this study indicate the likelihood that Congress has been playing a major role in instigating change within the agency.