Which agencies are headed by a commission of 5-10 people and possess quasi-legislative and quasi-judicial powers?

• A. Independent agencies
• B. Cabinet agencies
• C. Government corporations
• D. Executive agencies

Answer: (A)

Independent regulatory commissions are designed to regulate with a built-in insulation from direct political control. They are headed by a commission usually made up of several members—five to ten—appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate, with terms that are staggered so no single administration can quickly remake the body. This structure preserves stability and impartiality, as no one person can dominate the agency.

The power pattern is what sets them apart: they have quasi-legislative powers, meaning they issue regulations that have the force of law after a formal rulemaking process, often including public comment and detailed rule proposals. They also hold quasi-judicial powers, conducting hearings and issuing binding decisions in disputes or enforcement actions brought against regulated parties. This combination—rulemaking and adjudication under a multi-member, insulated commission—characterizes independent regulatory commissions, a hallmark of independent agencies.

Cabinet agencies are led by a single secretary or administrator and operate within the president’s immediate control; government corporations are run like businesses by boards but typically don’t wield broad rulemaking and adjudicatory authority; executive agencies are direct parts of the executive branch with less independence. The multi-member commission with both regulatory rulemaking and formal adjudication best fits the description of independent regulatory commissions.