Committees

Regular Committees

House: International Relations

The IR committee deals with relations with foreign nations, international economic policy (including importation and exportation rules, foreign loans, and international commodity agreements), protection of Americans abroad, and the United Nations. While the President truly holds the reins in this sphere, the IR committee does a lot to influence his decisions regarding foreign affairs.

Senate: Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

The Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (HSGAC) 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. In addition to governmental affairs, the Committee now oversees and receives legislation, messages, petitions, and memorials on all matters relating to the Department of Homeland Security, except for appropriations, the Coast Guard, the Transportation Security Administration, immigration, customs revenue, commercial operations, and trade.

House: Energy and Commerce

This committee, the oldest in the House of Representatives, oversees a wide variety of issues. Since its inception, the HCEC has passed legislation regarding the protection of air quality, toxic waste site cleanup, healthcare, food and drug safety, development of the telecommunications industry, and fraud protection in the financial sector.

Senate: Judiciary

Similar to the House’s committee on the same issue, the Senate’s Committee on the Judiciary deals with judicial proceedings, civil liberties, federal courts and judges, constitutional amendments, immigration and naturalization, patents, and mutiny, espionage, and counterfeiting. 

Senate: Foreign Relations

The Senate FR committee oversees the US government’s foreign policy agencies, such as the State Department, the US Agency for International Development, and the Peace Corps. It also reviews and debates all diplomatic nominations, international treaties, and US foreign policy legislation.

Senate: Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP)

This committee has an extremely diverse jurisdiction. It deals with issues such as biomedical research and development, arts and humanities, child labor, equal employment opportunities, labor standards, public health, student loans, wages and hours of labor, and individuals with disabilities.

Senate: Housing, Banking, and Urban Affairs

The U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs handles legislation on banking and financial regulation, consumer protection, housing and mortgage policy, securities and markets, and oversight of agencies like the Federal Reserve. Bills sent to this committee usually focus on regulating financial institutions, protecting consumers, stabilizing markets, or expanding access to housing and credit.

Novice Committees

(NOVICE) Senate: Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP)

This committee has an extremely diverse jurisdiction. It deals with issues such as biomedical research and development, arts and humanities, child labor, equal employment opportunities, labor standards, public health, student loans, wages and hours of labor, and individuals with disabilities.