ABSTRACT
This entry examines how political actors such as the president and Congress may attempt to limit the amount of discretion of the unelected bureaucracy. The entry examines three major mechanisms put in place by Congress and/or the president to control or influence bureaucratic decision making. Administrative procedures such as the Administrative Procedure Act, scientific and economic decision rules, and presidential and congressional oversight all can limit bureaucratic discretion and, to some extent, ensure some amount of control of the bureaucracy by elected officials.
