MechEngr, aren't the two problems in your asterisk-note issues or questions of policy? And therefore subjects about which, if there was sufficient consensus, Congress could exert significant influence if not control (especially in reauthorization)? By consensus, the reference is to the level of importance to assign to GA safety deficiencies and R/C hobbyists, and not the merits of the reforms you imply should be made (as to which I'll assume you're entirely correct).
The political accountability for any Executive Branch agency doesn't exist in isolation and - quite obviously - not an the "operational" level. A voter who may have been disgusted with, let's say, a DoT secretary grandstanding for publicity while adding nothing of value in the aftermath of, let's say, a serious railroad accident still sees that issue as just one of several that will motivate a vote one way or the other (or not voting). The Citizens United decision did not alter that calculus.
And since labor organizations are relatively unconstrained to make political donations, why shouldn't corporations have the same First Amendment right?