Which of the following is not a party to the iron triangle that often establishes policy in Washington?The choices are: A. Department...

In describing the Iron Triangle, I think that the most
important elements to include would represent different sides of the structure.  There
has to be a representation of the Executive branch, the legislative branch via
Congressional committee, and the outside lobbyist.  For example, the manner in which the
military industrial complex (MIC) represents the Iron Triangle lies in the collusion
between industry, congressional committees that serve to nudge Congress in a particular
way, and the members of the executive cabinet that serve the ends of
industry.

In the choices above, I would say that the one
that could be eliminated as not essential to the Iron Triangle would be department
secretaries.  The members of the bureaucracy of the affected agency are essential in
ensuring that the executive aspect of the Iron Triangle are represented, while the
outside lobbyist is the initiator of the process.  The selected members of Congress
would be critical in ensuring that Congress would be represented in this Iron Triangle
configuration.