G7

1 (a). Congress gives agencies policy-making discretion because members of Congress may not have the necessary expertise to run such agencies, and members of Congress also don't want the direct blame associated with mistakes from such agencies. The EPA, for example, needs to be staffed with people who are well-versed in environmental issues and solutions. Members of Congress, although they may be quite intelligent and passionate about environmental issues, have not studied the environment for the majority of their lives, and therefore could not make the most educated decisions for the agency. Congress also does not want to be blamed for the any mistakes that the agencies make. Congress does not have the time to deal with law suits and upset citizens/companies, so they hand the power over to specific personnel to manage. 

1 (b).  "Congress is fond of stating a broad policy goal in legislation and then leaving implementation up to the bureaucracies. Members of Congress can thus escape messy details, and place blame for the implementation decisions elsewhere." (pg. 484)

2 (a). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates human interaction with the environment, advocating methods by which clean air can be maintained and clean energy can be utilized. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates radio, television, and other broadcast media. The Federal Reserve Board is the central bank and monitors the monetary and financial system of our country.

2 (b). The EPA enforces laws, like the Clean Water Act, by investigating cases, collecting evidence, conducting forensic analyses and providing legal advice to help prosecute criminal conduct that threatens people's health and the environment. The Federal Reserve Board requires mortgage lenders to give them data regarding their lending patterns in order to regulate the amount of money banks give for home mortgages. The FCC oversees the authorization of equipment using the radio frequency spectrum and can deny the use of these devices if they do not comply with the standards specified by the commission.

3 (a). Congress ensures that federal agencies follow legislative intent allocating and withdrawing funds with which the agencies need to operate, and utilizing congressional oversight committees that can investigate the agencies. Congress has the enumerated power to create the annual budget, therefore giving Congress the power to divide up the funds between the federal agencies. If Congress believes that a certain federal agency is not acting within the best interest of government, and not following legislative intent, they can then give that agency less money to work with throughout the year. This sends a clear message to the agency that they are not in good standing with Congress, and gives the agency less power and influence. Congress can also use its power of legislative oversight to investigate alleged corruption within federal agencies. With such investigations, the congressional committees could potentially shut down a federal agency, or find reason to cut their funding.