Question

What is an agency? A department? Give examples of each. Is there a difference? Are they the same with respect to administrative law and the APA (Administrative Procedure Act)?

Answer 1

Agency :-

The federal government agencies are those special organization which manages resources, does financial oversight of industries, or takes care of the national security issue. With the help of legislative agencies, these types of organizations are formed. By presidential appointment, directors of these agencies are formed. These federal agencies regulate industrial practices with expertise.

Department :-

The departments are a part of executive branch of federal government of U.S. The department is run by the head of government. The various departments of federal governments are state, treasury, defence, justice, interior, agriculture, commerce, labor, energy, health and human services, transportation, housing, education etc.

Difference between agency and department :-

1. Departments are the organizations within federal bureaucracy whereas agencies are formed by federal government to manage industrial practices.
2. One of the examples of department is defence and one of the examples of agency is 'The environmental protection agency'

Hope this helps :)