Which term refers to the oversight of the federal bureaucracy by Congress and other institutions?

The term that refers to the oversight of the federal bureaucracy by Congress and other institutions is bureaucratic accountability. This concept emphasizes the responsibility of bureaucrats to answer to elected officials and, by extension, to the public. Bureaucratic accountability ensures that federal agencies operate within the framework of laws and regulations established by Congress, which aims to maintain a check on the bureaucracy's power and enhance transparency in government operations.

This oversight is crucial because it holds federal agencies accountable for their actions, decisions, and how they utilize resources. It ensures that the agencies are serving the public interest and not operating in isolation without scrutiny. By imposing accountability, Congress is able to enact measures that can correct or prevent bureaucratic inefficiencies or misconduct.

The other options highlight different aspects of the bureaucracy but do not specifically address the oversight function. Bureaucratic independence refers to the autonomy that certain agencies may have in their operations, while bureaucratic control pertains to the methods or strategies implemented to manage and direct bureaucracies. Bureaucratic efficiency focuses on the effectiveness of bureaucracies in performing their functions, which is related to productivity rather than oversight.