Do the "Checks and Balances" of our government ever reach the FDA?

Question

In other words, who keeps this agency in line, MAN!!!!!

Answer 1

Well, they are bureacracy, so they don't really have an official checks and balances system.

However...

The congress passes bills which may effect them.

The president signs or vetoes these bills.

And, the judicial system could rule on a case that could change standards within the FDA.

So, I guess, yeah...they do, in a way.

Answer 2

Yes. The FDA--or any other regulatory agency--derives its authority from Congress--and is limited to doing what Congress authorizes. But it is not a blank check. There are two checks. First, Congress can overrule the agency's actions or regulations--or refuse to authorize or fund a particular program. In fact, congress could abolish the FDA tomorrow if they wanted to, at least in theory.

Second, the FDA's interpretation and implement of all authorizing legislation is subject to court review. And if the courts decide the FDA has misinterpreted or exceeded their legal authority, the FDA is bound to abide by the court ruling.

Answer 3

Most Americans do not realize that this single government agency is the most powerful and has the most influence in our daily lives than several agencies combined. The FDA mandated a law that declares any illness that a doctor treats to be a disease. If a symptom is called a disease, a doctor cannot recommend you use anything other than a drug. The doctor cannot prescribe anything other than a drug.

Answer 4

The Food and Drug Administration? I'm sorry, I don't understand the question. And anyone who claims that a government agency doesn't have an official system of spending accountability is simply lying like a Persian rug.

Answer 5

no, and they probably shouldnt

when you talk of "checks and balances" politics always becomes involved.. you could ask the same question of our entire government up until a year ago when the democrats took control of congress

and how has that helped us? and how could it ever?

i think with something like the FDA, checks and balances should not be the method of regulating its success.. doing so would only allow it to possibly be controlled by outside influences

it should be a government run operation autonomous from political influence, like the federal reserve