Why was the U.S. Administrative Procedure Act enacted in 1946?

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lampoon of Interstate Commerce Commission — Administrative law Cartoon depicting a uniformed Interstate Commerce Commission officer shining a large searchlight on U.S. railroad executive Edward Henry Harriman, who is struggling to carry a large load of packages and toy trains, some labeled “merger.”

The U.S. Administrative Procedure Act (APA) was enacted in 1946 primarily to address concerns regarding the rapid expansion of federal agencies during the early 20th century, particularly under Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal programs.1

Because these agencies—which are part of the executive branch—often combine legislative, executive, and judicial functions, they faced criticism for potentially undermining the separation of powers. The APA was designed to establish a framework for accountability and fairness by achieving four primary goals:1

Ensuring agencies keep the public informed of their procedures, organization, and rules.1
Providing opportunities for public participation in the rule-making process.1
Prescribing uniform standards for formal rule-making and adjudicatory proceedings.1
Restating the law regarding judicial review of agency actions.1

By setting these specific procedures, the act sought to balance the practical necessity of agency expertise with the need for oversight and transparency in government administration.1