About the Senate Committee System

A general description of how the committee system of the U.S. Senate functions.

www.senate.gov

Committee Assignments

Committee assignments of each U.S. Senator are listed alphabetically by Senator.

www.senate.gov

U.S. Congress Joint Committee on Printing

Joint committee of the House and Senate that oversees the Government Printing Office and general printing procedures of the Federal Government.

www.house.gov

U.S. Congress Joint Committee on Taxation

Joint committee of the House and Senate that investigates internal revenue taxation, and possibilities for tax simplification. Also reviews proposed tax refunds and credits.

www.house.gov

U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee

This joint committee of the Senate and the House focuses on promoting maximum employment, production, and purchasing power.

jec.senate.gov

U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee

Deals with farming, food programs and forest resources. Provides compilations of agricultural law, as well as status of legislation and opening statements of witnesses.

agriculture.senate.gov

U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee

Largest committee in the U.S. Senate. It writes legislation that annually allocates federal funds to the numerous government agencies, departments, and organizations. Appropriations are limited by a Budget Resolution drafted by the Senate Budget Committee.

appropriations.senate.gov

U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee

Has jurisdiction over research and development of weapons systems, defense policy, the military, the Panama Canal, security aspects of nuclear energy, naval petroleum reserves except in Alaska, benefits of Armed Forces members, and selective service system.

armed-services.senate.gov

U.S. Senate Banking Committee

Committee has jurisdiction over banking, economic policy, financial institutions, price controls, deposit insurance, economic stabilization and defense production, exports, monetary and related policy, aid to industry, nursing homes, housing, government contracts, and urban development.

banking.senate.gov

U.S. Senate Budget Committee

Deals with matters related to the federal budget. This committee's responsibilities include studying the effect on the budget of existing and proposed legislation, and reviewing the conduct of the Congressional Budget Office.

budget.senate.gov

U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation

Committee jurisdiction includes the Coast Guard, coastal management, communications, highway safety, waterways, interstate commerce, maritime commerce, fisheries, merchant marine, nonmilitary aeronautics, oceans, weather, atmosphere, consumer products, engineering, technology, sports, and standards of measurement.

commerce.senate.gov

U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee

Deals with pollution, highway construction and repair, environmental aspects of the continental shelf, toxic substances other than pesticides, fisheries and wildlife, flood control, waterway and port improvements, public buildings and grounds, bridges, dams, regional development, solid waste, and water resources.

epw.senate.gov

U.S. Senate Finance Committee

Deals with federal bonds, the customs service and related issues, public moneys, revenue sharing, several health programs provided by the government, social security, trade agreements, revenue measures, tariffs and import quotas, and transportation of taxable goods.

finance.senate.gov

U.S. Senate Indian Affairs Committee

Responsible for dealing with problems and opportunities of Native Americans, including land management and trust responsibilities, education, health, special services, loan programs, and claims against the United States.

indian.senate.gov

U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee

Responsible for overseeing federal intelligence activities. Those activities are intended to promote the security and vital interests of the nation, while subject to vigilant legislative oversight in order to assure that such activities are in conformity with the law.

intelligence.senate.gov