Why does the president have limited control over the Federal Communications Commission compared to an executive department such as the Department of Education?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent agency, and its commissioners, including the chair, are appointed for fixed terms of five years, not 14. This structure is designed to ensure that the FCC operates independently of the executive branch, limiting the president's control over it. The president does have the authority to appoint commissioners (with Senate confirmation) and designate the chair, but cannot remove them at will, which contrasts with executive departments where the president can typically remove appointees. The correct answer reflects the fixed term nature of appointments, which is meant to insulate the FCC from political pressures, including those from the president. However, the specific duration mentioned in option A is incorrect; the correct term length is five years, not 14. The explanation provided is based on the general principle of why the president's control is limited, despite the error in the term length stated.

Why Does the President Have Limited Control Over the Federal