> They have the resources and connections to find experts and become reasonably versed in these topics so we should expect them to have informed correct opinions on complex topics or they shouldn't be in the job.
Do they have the time?
There are only so many hours in the day and week, and only so many things that are able to be done in ((sub-)sub-)committees in those hours. Further, legislators have to pass law on every conceivable topic, whereas agencies have a focus (FCC, FAA, FDA, Coast Guard, etc).
And if the situation changes the legislators may have to circle back and pass new bills/regulations and that may take a while given finite resources (time) and other priorities, so various industries may languish in sub-optimal environments due to outdated legislation.
That's the whole point of the agencies (and executive?): delegation to subject matter experts so legislators aren't mired in minutia and can perhaps look at the bigger picture.
Do they have the time?
There are only so many hours in the day and week, and only so many things that are able to be done in ((sub-)sub-)committees in those hours. Further, legislators have to pass law on every conceivable topic, whereas agencies have a focus (FCC, FAA, FDA, Coast Guard, etc).
And if the situation changes the legislators may have to circle back and pass new bills/regulations and that may take a while given finite resources (time) and other priorities, so various industries may languish in sub-optimal environments due to outdated legislation.
That's the whole point of the agencies (and executive?): delegation to subject matter experts so legislators aren't mired in minutia and can perhaps look at the bigger picture.