Final answer:
Federal agencies are required to seek prior approval from OPM for personnel-related actions and must obtain Senate approval for the appointment of administrators for key agencies. The President also has the constitutional right to seek written opinions from heads of executive departments, ensuring decisions are informed by subject-matter experts.
Step-by-step explanation:
Agencies within the United States federal government are required to seek prior approval from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) for a variety of personnel-related actions to ensure adherence to federal laws and regulations. For instance, they might need to get this approval when making certain organizational changes or when hiring individuals for particular government positions.
Additionally, as stated in the Constitution, agencies must seek Senate approval for various high-level appointments. This includes administrators and heads of key agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service, Central Intelligence Agency, and Office of Management and Budget. The Senate's role is to provide a check on the executive branch by confirming these appointments.
It is important to note the role of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which requires agencies to regularly post certain types of information for public access; however, there are nine exemptions to this requirement based on the sensitivity of the information. Agencies operating in areas related to national security, trade, or privacy, for example, are governed by these exemptions.
The President also plays a direct role as per the Constitution, having the right to request written opinions from principal officers of the executive departments on matters pertaining to their duties. This ensures executive decision-making is well-informed by those with expertise in respective areas within the federal government.