The level of the different agencies in the administrative structure of the Federal Government - Term Paper Example

? Agency Structure al Affiliation: Agency Structure Introduction The United s of America has different categories of agencies which ease the operation of the federal government given the nations’ size and population. Each of the agencies has its own line of operation which makes a significant contribution the government duties. The Level of the Different Agencies in the Administrative Structure of the Federal Government The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is an executive department agency of the United States federal government. It is a federal agency that deals with public works in supporting the country. It also provides support to the department of defense under which it is formed. The US Bureau of Land Management is an executive department agency found within the Department of The Interior. This agency is responsible for administering public lands in the United States of America. It has an office of law enforcement and security which is also a Federal Law enforcement agency in the federal government of the United States. The Environmental Protection Agency of the United States is an independent agency of federal government. This agency is responsible for protecting both the environment and human health. It does this through writing and also enforcing regulations derived from the laws made by the US congress. The United States Secret Service Agency is an executive agency. It is also a law enforcement agency which is found in the department of Homeland Security of the United States as suggested by Gaines (2001). Appropriation Subcommittees Responsible for Jurisdiction over Each Agency’s Budget Request The Appropriation subcommittees usually work off the budget request of the administration and the previous year’s bills expenses while including any of the upcoming congress priorities. There are twelve appropriation subcommittees each comprising of twelve members. Different agencies have their particular appropriations committees which have jurisdiction over their budget request. In the case of United States Army Corps of Engineers agency the appropriation subcommittee on energy and water developement is responsible for its budget requests and it is chaired by Rodney Frelinqhuysen. This subcommittee handles issues concerning development of the agencies’ budgets in relations to its programs. Each year it is the mandate of the congress to pass appropriation bills for water and energy development. This budget incorporates funding, studies maintenance and the construction of particular projects. The House Interior and Environment Appropriations subcommittee is responsible for the budget request of the bureau of Land Management as suggested by Congress (2003). The Interior and Environment appropriations Committee has jurisdiction over the Environment protection agency of the us regarding the age n cy’s budget request. The Interior and Environment appropriation committee is under the chairmanship of Mike Simpson. The committee constantly criticizes the agency’s budget to ensure that it is in line with planned projects. It hand les issue such as handling interior bills as it is one of the tough bills the congress needs to pass. The homeland and security appropriations committee is responsible for jurisdiction over United States Secret Service agency’s budget request. The committee is also responsible for other agencies related to homeland d security such as transport security administration, United States coast guard among others. It is also responsible for fun ding state and other local preparedness efforts. The budget from the subcommittees usually forms approximately twelve percent deduction of the President’s budget proposal. The homeland security appropriation subcommittee is currently chaired by Mary Landieu who is a democrat from Louisiana. The Environment Protection agency is also under Interior and Environment appropriation committee chaired by Mike Simpson. The subcommittee here approves annual spending bills of he environment al protection agency. It also guides the blocking Environment protective agency activities related to agriculture. Functional Classification of the Federal Budget for Different Agencies The operation of the different agencies is functional classified under different categories in the federal Budget. For instance the US Army corps of Engineers operations is functionally classified under the National defense category as it deals with defense related operations. The functional classification of the United States Bureau of Land Management is under the natural resources and environment (300) category. This is because this agency deals with issues related to land which is a natural resource and part of the environment. The United States Secret Service agency has its operations classified under social security (650) category of functional classification. It is under social security that secret service agency offers protection to the individual without fear. The Environmental protection agency has its operations classified under the natural resources and environment (300) category. This is because the urgency is responsible for environmental related issues including conservation of the environment and its resources according to Johnson (2009). Budget Authority and Outlays For 2011 The budget Authority of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for Fiscal 2011 was released by the president on 1st February, 2010. It includes $4.939 billion for the fiscal year 2011 which funds the program of Civil Works of the United States Army Corps of Engineers according to Szayna (2009). According to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, this budget supports the priorities of the administration. These include revalorizing the nation’s economy as well as improving the infrastructure. This budget funds the various phases of projects and makes a major focus on the main mission areas of the Civil Works. The program also makes a contribution to the protection of country’s wetlands and waters in general. It also contributes to the restoration of areas affected by early atomic weapons and preparation for natural resources. The federal funding for this budget comprises of $4.051 billion taken from the general fund and $764.4 million contributed by Harbor Maintenance Fund. In addition, $41 million will be taken from Recreation User Fees and $82.3 million will be contributed by Inland Water Ways Trust Fund. Distribution of the Budget Funds Among the Appropriate Accounts. AMOUNT($) APPROPRIATION ACCOUNT 2.361billion Operation and maintenance 1.690 billion Construction bill 240 million Mississippi River and Tributaries 193 million Regulatory program 185 million Expenses 130 million Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program 104 million Investigations 30 million Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies 6 million Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army of the Civil Works. Among the funded construction works in the fiscal year 2011 budget there is the South Florida ecosystem program on restoration. It is composed of Everglades which requires $180 million, Columbia River Fish mitigation, seepage control among others. The proposed outlay of the Budget is to replace the nation’s current excise tax particularly on diesel fuel which is used in the inland water ways with a different funding mechanism capable of raising the required revenue. This is because this revenue is required in meeting authorized non-federal shared costs of Inland water ways investments capital in a more efficient and an equitable manner compared to that of the fuel tax. The actual budget outlay involves increasing funds for all programs or activities which have limited access to funds according to the relevant act. It also includes using funds which have been directed to a particular activity for a different purpose unless there is a prior notice from the House and the senate committees regarding appropriations. It also involves creating new projects as well as programs through funding from different trust funds. The Summarized Budget Authority and Outlays 4090 Budget authority, gross 8,414 8,583 8,771 Outlays, gross: 4100 Outlays from new mandatory authority 6,955 8,583 8,771 4110 Outlays, gross (total) 15369 17166 17542 Offsets against gross budget authority and outlays: Offsetting collections (collected) from: 4120 Federal sources –8,372 –8,583 –8,771 4123 Non-Federal sources –42 4130 Offsets against gross budget authority and outlays (total –8,414 –8,583 –8,771 4160 Budget authority, net (mandatory) 4170 Outlays, net (mandatory) 4180 Budget authority, net (total) 11 4190 Outlays, net (total) 11 References Congress . (2003). Congressional Record. Washington, DC : Government Printing Office. Gaines, A. (2001). The U.S. Secret Service. New York : Infobase Publishing, Johnson, S. (2009). U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Fiscal Year 2007 Performance and Accountability Report: Highlights. Pennsylvania : DIANE Publishing. Szayna, T. (2009). Integrating civilian agencies in stability operations. Santa Monica, CA: Rand Corporation. Read More