Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

A Pinocchio Problem: Bureaucratic Drift And Constitutional Separation Of Powers, Brittanie Edstrom

Senior Capstone Theses

The U.S. Constitution outlines a three-branch government, with each branch having separate and distinct powers, and a system of checks and balances to maintain accountability. According to these two principles, the federal bureaucracy has the authority to execute legislative action but it must remain accountable to Congress to ensure that congressional statutory intent is reflected in the execution of legislation. When the bureaucracy does not accurately execute the wishes of Congress, these principles are violated. Scholars have labeled this phenomenon bureaucratic drift. This thesis will examine the interplay between Congress and the Bureaucracy and attempt to address the following question: …