Congress delegates some of its lawmaking powers to the adminstrative units that apply them, which frequently means they must be re-interpreted in the context of an unforeseen situation.

The Internal Revenue Service is one agency that has quasi-legislative and quasi-judicial powers. It is responsible for making and enforcing rules governing the collection of taxes.

The Administrative Procedure Act of 1946 established guidelines for the creation of rules for administrative agencies to follow when implementing laws.

Described here are some of the many ways in which the powers of administrative agencies are held in check.

Presidents are able to issue executive orders to exert power over administrative agencies so they must adapt their policies and procedures in response to new initiatives.

Discusses the many ways in which Congress exerts control over the government bureaucracy. It can create or remove administrative agencies, direct their actions, and approve funding.

Explains the role of congressional committees in overseeing the activities and management of administrative agencies.

The courts play a role in checking the power of federal administrative agencies by ensuring that all legal requirements are met, and that Congress is meeting its obligations as well.

The system of federalism is able to check the power of federal administrative agencies, for example, when a state policy is in conflict with a federal one and subsequently influences change at the federal level.