Skip to content

Independent Adjudicatory Agencies

Independent adjudicatory agencies are federal bodies that work something like courts inside the executive branch. They hear disputes, weigh evidence, and issue decisions that can bind employers, workers, agencies, and businesses. Congress set them up apart from the regular departments so that individual cases can be decided with some distance from day-to-day politics.

7articles
2topics
October 5last updated

An independent team explaining how government works

GovFacts is a nonpartisan site that makes government concepts, policies and programs easier to understand and use.

Referenced by Brookings, CNN, Forbes, Fox News, Pew Research, Snopes, The Hill and USA Today.

The Webby-recognized AI behind our articles »

Topics in Independent Adjudicatory Agencies

Labor relations

These bodies deal with relations between employers, unions, and workers: National Labor Relations Board, Federal Labor Relations Authority, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, and National Mediation Board.

Trade and transport

These bodies decide questions about trade and about the nation's rail system: US International Trade Commission and Surface Transportation Board.

All Articles on Independent Adjudicatory Agencies

How Workers Vote Out a Union: Decertification Explained

Decertification lets workers vote on representation. The petition, filing windows, election rules and bargaining consequences shape how this process works.

15 Min Read

The Government’s Split Courts: How Independent Commissions Decide Your Case

When a federal agency accuses you of breaking the rules, who decides if you're guilty? In most cases, it's not a federal judge—it's an…

30 Min Read

So Where Does Tariff Money Go?

When a cargo ship laden with electronics from Asia, automobiles from Europe, or fresh produce from Mexico arrives at a U.S. port, a complex…

32 Min Read

What’s the Difference Between a Tariff and a Tax?

At first glance, the relationship between a tariff and a tax seems simple: a tariff is a type of tax. While this is technically…

35 Min Read

What America Exports to the World

The United States stands as the world's second-largest exporter, trailing only China. In 2024, America shipped $3.23 trillion worth of goods and services across…

28 Min Read

The U.S. Commercial Service: A Guide for American Exporters

American companies that export grow faster, create more jobs, and are more resilient during economic downturns than their domestic-only counterparts. Exporters tend to pay…

62 Min Read

What Are Tariffs and How Do They Work?

A tariff is a tax that governments place on goods coming into their country. You might also hear them called duties or customs duties—trade…

39 Min Read