Congressional Committees

Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

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

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.

Senate Committee on Armed Services

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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 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.

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.

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 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.

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.

House Committee on Agriculture

The House Committee on Agriculture has legislative jurisdiction over agriculture, food, rural development, and forestry.

House Committee on Appropriations

House Committee on Armed Services

House Committee on Education and Workforce

House Committee on Energy and Commerce

House Committee on Ethics

The House Committee on Ethics has the jurisdiction to administer travel, gift, financial disclosure, outside income, and other regulations; advise members and staff; issue advisory opinions and investigate potential ethics violations. The Committee is the only standing committee of the House whose membership is evenly divided between each political party. The Committee includes five members of each party. Also, unlike other committees, the day-to-day work of the Committee on Ethics is conducted by a staff that is nonpartisan by rule.

House Committee on Financial Services

House Committee on Foreign Affairs

House Committee on Homeland Security

House Committee on House Administration

House Committee on Natural Resources

House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

House Committee on Rules

House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology

House Committee on Small Business

House Committee on the Budget

The House 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 representatives of violations to the budget, and by working with other committees, such as the Committee on Appropriations, to prevent potential violations.

House Committee on the Judiciary

The Committee on the Judiciary has jurisdiction over matters relating to the administration of justice in federal courts, administrative bodies, and law enforcement agencies. Its role in impeachment proceedings has also brought it much attention. The committee’s jurisdiction also includes a range of issues such as bankruptcy, espionage, terrorism, the protection of civil liberties, constitutional amendments, and more. The Committee oversees the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security.

House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

House Committee on Veterans' Affairs

House Committee on Ways and Means

House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence

House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States

House Select Subcommittee to Investigate the Remaining Questions Surrounding

Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe

Joint Committee of Congress on the Library

Joint Committee on Printing

Joint Committee on Taxation

Joint Economic Committee