Who provides oversight of federal agencies to ensure they operate within the law?

The oversight of federal agencies to ensure they operate within the law is primarily the responsibility of Congress. Congress has several tools at its disposal to conduct oversight, including the ability to hold hearings, issue subpoenas, and pass legislation that regulates the activities of federal agencies. Through committees and subcommittees, Congress examines the performance of agencies, scrutinizes their budgets, and evaluates their compliance with laws and regulations. This oversight role is critical to maintaining checks and balances within the federal government and ensuring that agencies are accountable to the public and to the legislative branch.

While the President can also influence federal agencies and guide their operations through executive orders and budget proposals, the formal oversight function lies with Congress as part of its legislative authority. Other entities like state legislatures and the Supreme Court have distinct roles that do not encompass the direct oversight of federal agencies. State legislatures focus on state-level governance and the Supreme Court interprets laws rather than overseeing their implementation.