Which of the following affects bureaucracies?

Congressional budget and oversight significantly affect bureaucracies as they hold the power to allocate funding and set priorities for various federal agencies. The process of budget approval can force agencies to align their goals and activities according to the fiscal constraints imposed by Congress. Additionally, through oversight, Congress monitors and evaluates the performance and efficiency of bureaucratic services, requiring agencies to justify their actions and report on their progress. This system of checks and balances helps ensure that bureaucracies operate in accordance with legislative intent and accountability to the public.

While public opinion surveys, Supreme Court rulings, and local government regulations can influence bureaucracies in various indirect ways, they do not exert the same direct control over budgeting and operational mandates that Congress does. Public opinion may shape the political climate in which agencies operate; Supreme Court rulings can impact policies that agencies enforce, and local regulations might affect the implementation of federal policies at a local level. However, the fundamental process of funding and direct oversight remains with Congress, making it a primary force in shaping bureaucratic functions.