Final answer:
A Federal Department is a branch of the executive branch of the federal government that is responsible for a specific area of government activity or policy. A Federal Agency is an organization within a Federal Department that is tasked with carrying out specific functions or programs. An independent Commission is a government entity that operates outside the direct control of a Federal Department or Agency.
Step-by-step explanation:
A Federal Department is a branch of the executive branch of the federal government that is responsible for a specific area of government activity or policy. Examples of Federal Departments include the Department of Education, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Agriculture. These departments are headed by a Secretary who is part of the President's Cabinet.
A Federal Agency, on the other hand, is an organization within a Federal Department that is tasked with carrying out specific functions or programs. These agencies have more specialized roles and are usually smaller in scope compared to the departments. Examples of Federal Agencies include the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
An independent Commission is a government entity that operates outside the direct control of a Federal Department or Agency. Commissions are designed to be non-partisan and impartial, and they are often created to oversee and regulate specific industries or sectors. Commissions are typically structured with a group of commissioners who are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
For example, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent Commission that regulates communication laws and policies, including radio, television, and the internet. The FCC is led by five commissioners who are appointed for five-year terms, and no more than three commissioners can be from the same political party.
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