Despite the significant control government exerts over Americans, few understand its organizational structure and the roles of its various departments and offices. For people to gain the full benefits of government programs and avoid the snares lurking among government bureaucracy and arcane regulations, they must clearly understand the powers and functions of each part of the government. Encyclopedia of Federal Agencies and Commissions is a valuable new guide to various branches of the federal government, making information about them readily available. Comprehensive and accessible, Encyclopedia of Federal Agencies and Commissions provides clearly written entries on all branches of the federal government and the agencies that function under them. This unique resource details the history and inner workings of the agencies, as well as the role they play in the government as a whole.