Question

The United States Postal Service is an example of

a. the Presidential Cabinet Department.
b. an Office of Administration.
c. the Executive Office of the President.
d. an independent agency of the Executive Branch.

Answer 1

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is an independent agency of the Executive Branch, set up as a government corporation to operate independently from executive departments and the Executive Office of the President. It reports directly to Congress for oversight and funding.

Step-by-step explanation:

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is an independent agency of the Executive Branch. This categorization is because it operates independently and is not part of any executive department or the Executive Office of the President. Originally part of the Cabinet as the Post Office Department, it was reorganized as an independent entity in the early 1970s. Unlike cabinet departments that are directly accountable to the president and include organizations like the Departments of State and Defense, the USPS is structured as a government corporation designed to run more like a private business and reports directly to Congress for oversight and funding.

Independent agencies are created for more focused tasks and are not subject to the regulatory authority of any specific department, whereas regulatory agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) are tasked with implementing and enforcing specific congressional laws. Therefore, when considering the available choices, the most accurate answer is that the United States Postal Service is an example of an independent agency of the Executive Branch, making option 'd' the correct answer.

Answer 2

The United States Postal Service is an example of D. AN INDEPENDENT AGENCY OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

It has a Board of Governors who sets the policies, procedures, and postal rates of the United States Postal Service. 9 out of the 11 members of the Board are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The 9 members then appoint a 10th member, the U.S. Postmaster General who acts as CEO. These 10 members then appoint an 11th member, a Deputy Postmaster General who acts as the COO of USPS.