Definition

1. Noun:
   • An agency of the United States government that is created by an act of Congress and is independent of the executive departments: An "independent agency" is a specific type of federal government body in the United States. It is established by a law passed by Congress and operates outside the direct control of the President's cabinet departments, granting it a degree of autonomy in its operations and decision-making.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is a well-known independent agency.
  • Congress created an independent agency to oversee election integrity.
  • The leaders of an independent agency are often appointed for fixed terms to ensure stability.

Advanced Usage

• "to operate as an independent agency": to function with a degree of autonomy from the executive branch.

  • The commission was designed to operate as an independent agency to avoid political influence.

• "the independence of an independent agency": the quality of being free from direct executive control.

  • The law protects the independence of the independent agency.

Variants and Related Words

• Independent regulatory agency (n): A specific type of independent agency with rule-making and regulatory powers.

  • The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is an independent regulatory agency.

• Government agency (n): A broader term for any administrative unit of the government.

• Executive department (n): A cabinet-level department directly under the President's authority, from which an independent agency is separate.

Synonyms

• Autonomous agency: An agency that is self-governing.
• Commission (in a governmental context): A type of independent agency, often with regulatory duties (e.g., the Federal Trade Commission).

Related Phrases

• Heads of independent agencies: The chairpersons or commissioners who lead these bodies.

  • The heads of independent agencies testified before Congress.

• Independent agency status: The official classification as an independent agency.

  • The new board was granted independent agency status by the legislation.

Noun

1. an agency of the United States government that is created by an act of Congress and is independent of the executive departments