Committees in the US Congress

Committees are groups of members of Congress that are responsible for specific areas of legislation. They are the places where most of the work of Congress gets done.

Committees are divided into two types: standing committees and select committees. Standing committees are permanent committees that are responsible for specific areas of legislation. Select committees are temporary committees that are created to investigate specific issues.

Each committee is responsible for a specific area of legislation. For example, the House Committee on Agriculture is responsible for legislation related to agriculture, while the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations is responsible for legislation related to foreign policy.

• United States Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control

  The Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control was created to “monitor and encourage United States Government and private programs seeking to expand international cooperation against drug abuse and narcotics trafficking” and to “monitor and promote international compliance with narcotics control treaties.” As a formal organization of the U.S. Senate, the Caucus has the status of a standing committee. The Caucus exercises oversight on a wide range of issues, including international counternarcotics assistance and domestic drug prevention and treatment programs. The Caucus has held numerous hearings over the years and has issued a number of reports on U.S. narcotics control policy.

• Senate Select Committee on Ethics

  The Senate Select Committee on Ethics is authorized to receive and investigate allegations of improper conduct which may reflect upon the Senate, violations of law, violations of the Senate Code of Official Conduct and violations of rules and regulations of the Senate; recommend disciplinary action; recommend additional Senate rules or regulations to insure proper standards of conduct; and report violations of law to the proper federal and state authorities.

• Senate Committee on Indian Affairs

  The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs has jurisdiction to study the unique problems of American Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native peoples and to propose legislation to alleviate these difficulties. These issues include, but are not limited to, Indian education, economic development, land management, trust responsibilities, health care, and claims against the United States. Additionally, all legislation proposed by Members of the Senate that specifically pertains to American Indians, Native Hawaiians, or Alaska Natives is under the jurisdiction of the Committee.

• Senate Select Committee on Intelligence

  The Senate Committee on Intelligence was created to study the intelligence activities and programs of the United States Government and report to the Senate concerning such intelligence activities and programs. The Committee is also responsible for proposing legislation and providing legislative oversight to ensure that intelligence activities of the United States are in conformity with the Constitution and the law.

• Senate Special Committee on Aging

  The Senate Special Committee on Aging conducts a continuing study of issues related to older Americans such as health, income, lifestyle, and more. The committee reports its findings back to the Senate at least once a year. No bills are referred to this committee and the committee has no legislative jurisdiction.

• Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

  The Senate Committee on Agriculture has legislative jurisdiction over agriculture, food, and nutrition.

  • Conservation, Climate, Forestry, and Natural Resources
  • Rural Development and Energy
  • Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics, and Research
  • Livestock, Dairy, Poultry, Local Food Systems, and Food Safety and Security
  • Commodities, Risk Management, and Trade
• Senate Committee on Appropriations

  The Senate Committee on Appropriations is responsible for legislation allocating federal funds prior to expenditure from the treasury. Appropriations are generally limited to the levels set by the Budget Resolution drafted by the Senate Committee on the Budget. The Committee is also responsible for supplemental spending bills, which are sometimes needed in the middle of a fiscal year to compensate for emergency expenses.

  • Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
  • Energy and Water Development
  • Financial Services and General Government
  • Homeland Security
  • Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
  • Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies
  • Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies
  • State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
  • Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
  • Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
  • Defense
  • Legislative Branch
• Senate Committee on Armed Services

  The Senate Committee on Armed Services has legislative jurisdiction over military and defense.

  • Airland
  • Emerging Threats and Capabilities
  • Personnel
  • Readiness and Management Support
  • Seapower
  • Strategic Forces
  • Cybersecurity
• Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs

  The Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs not only has legislative jurisdiction on the topics listed in its name, but also on a range of other topics such as economic stability, federal monetary policy, and government contracts.

  • Economic Policy
  • National Security and International Trade and Finance
  • Securities, Insurance, and Investment
  • Housing, Transportation, and Community Development
  • Financial Institutions and Consumer Protection
• Senate Committee on the Budget

  The Senate Committee on the Budget is responsible for drafting a concurrent resolution on the budget for congressional action on spending, revenue, and debt-limit legislation. The Budget Resolution must be jointly agreed to by both the House and the Senate, but does not need to be signed by the President. The Committee is also responsible for enforcing the Budget Resolution by informing senators of violations to the budget, and by working with other committees, such as the Committee on Appropriations, to prevent potential violations.

• Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

  The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation has legislative jurisdiction on matters related to science and technology, oceans policy, transportation, communications, and consumer affairs.

  • Space and Science
  • Aviation Safety, Operations, and Innovation
  • Communications, Media, and Broadband
  • Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Data Security
  • Oceans, Fisheries, Climate Change, and Manufacturing
  • Surface Transportation, Maritime, Freight, and Ports
  • Tourism, Trade, and Export Promotion
• Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

  The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources has legislative jurisdiction on matters related to energy resources and development, nuclear energy, Indian affairs, public lands and their renewable resources, surface mining, territories and insular possessions, and water resources.

  • Water and Power
  • National Parks
  • Energy
  • Public Lands, Forests, and Mining
• Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works

  The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works has legislative jurisdiction on matters related to environmental protection, resource utilization and conservation, and public infrastructure.

  • Clean Air, Climate, and Nuclear Safety
  • Chemical Safety, Waste Management, Environmental Justice, and Regulatory Oversight
  • Transportation and Infrastructure
  • Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife
• Senate Committee on Finance

  The Senate Committee on Finance has legislative jurisdiction on matters relating to taxation, debt, customs, foreign trade, and health programs under the Social Security Act such as Medicare, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) and other health and human services programs financed by a specific tax or trust fund.

  • Energy, Natural Resources, and Infrastructure
  • Health Care
  • International Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness
  • Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Growth
  • Taxation and IRS Oversight
  • Social Security, Pensions, and Family Policy
• Senate Committee on Foreign Relations

  The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations was established in 1816 as one of the original ten standing committees of the Senate. Throughout its history, the committee has been instrumental in developing and influencing United States foreign policy, at different times supporting and opposing the policies of presidents and secretaries of state. The committee has considered, debated, and reported important treaties and legislation, ranging from the purchase of Alaska in 1867 to the establishment of the United Nations in 1945. It also holds jurisdiction over all diplomatic nominations. Through these powers, the committee has helped shape foreign policy of broad significance, in matters of war and peace and international relations. Members of the committee have assisted in the negotiation of treaties, and at times have helped to defeat treaties they felt were not in the national interest.

  • Europe and Regional Security Cooperation
  • Africa and Global Health Policy
  • East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy
  • Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism
  • Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issues
  • Multilateral International Development, Multilateral Institutions, and International Economic, Energy, and Environmental Policy
  • State Department and USAID Management, International Operations, and Bilateral International Development
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

  The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs is the Senate’s primary oversight committee with broad jurisdiction over government operations generally and the Department of Homeland Security in particular. Its primary responsibilities are to study the efficiency, economy, and effectiveness of all agencies and departments of the federal government; evaluate the effects of laws enacted to reorganize the legislative and executive branches of government; and study the intergovernmental relationships between the U.S. and states and municipalities, and between the U.S. and international organizations of which the U.S. is a member.

  • Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations
  • Emerging Threats and Spending Oversight
  • Government Operations and Border Management
• Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

  The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions has jurisdiction over most of the agencies, institutes, and programs of the Department of Health and Human Services, including the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, the Administration on Aging, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

  • Employment and Workplace Safety
  • Primary Health and Retirement Security
  • Children and Families
• Senate Committee on the Judiciary

  The Senate Committee on the Judiciary provides oversight of the Department of Justice and the agencies under the Department's jurisdiction, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Homeland Security. It also plays an important role in the consideration of nominations and pending legislation. Any legislation related to civil liberty, constitutional amendments, immigration and naturalization, and a variety of other topics is referred to the Committee.

  • the Constitution
  • Criminal Justice and Counterterrorism
  • Competition Policy, Antitrust, and Consumer Rights
  • Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety
  • Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights
  • Intellectual Property
  • Human Rights and the Law
  • Privacy, Technology, and the Law
• Senate Committee on Rules and Administration

  The Senate Committee on Rules and Administration has legislative jurisdiction over the organization and operation of Congress. This includes matters such as congressional rules and procedures, corruption, the relationship of Congress with the other branches of government, and general administration of the Senate. The Committee is also responsible for recommending improvements in organization and operation with a view toward strengthening Congress, simplifying its operations, improving its relationships with other branches of the United States Government, and enabling it better to meet its responsibilities under the Constitution of the United States.

• Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship

  The Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship has legislative jurisdiction over the Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA is an independent federal agency meant to assist and protect the interests of small businesses. The Committee is also responsible for studying and problems of American small business enterprises, and reporting back to the Senate.

• Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs

  The Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs has legislative jurisdiction over matters relating to veterans compensation and veterans generally, as well as matters relating to the vocational rehabilitation, education, medical care, civil relief, and civilian readjustment of veterans.