Senate Committee Overviews
Updated: April 4, 2015
National Journal Presentation Credits
Producers: Katharine Conlon,Tucker Doherty, David Stauffer
Directors: Jessica Guzik, Afzal Bari
Senate Aging Committee Overview
Jurisdiction
The Senate Special Committee on Aging has no
explicit legislative jurisdiction, but rather studies
issues important to aging Americans, including Social
Security and Medicare, nursing home conditions, age
discrimination, and prescription drug pricing.
Committee Members
Subcommittees
No subcommittees
Republicans (11)
Chairman: Susan Collins (R-ME)
Bob Corker (R-TN)
Orrin Hatch (R-UT)
Mark Kirk (R-IL)*
Dean Heller (R-NV)
Tim Scott (R-SC)*
Jeff Flake (R-AZ)
Tom Cotton (R-AR)
David Perdue (R-GA)
Thom Tillis (R-NC)
Ben Sasse (R-NE)
Democrats (9)
Ranking Member: Claire McCaskill (D-MO)
Bob Casey (D-PA)
Joe Donnelly (D-IN)
Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)*
Bill Nelson (D-FL)
Tim Kaine (D-VA)
Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
*Up for re-election in 2016
Sources: National Journal Research, 2015.
Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry Committee Overview
Jurisdiction
Committee Members
The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition,
and Forestry is responsible for a broad range of
issues dealing with agriculture, forestry, logging,
and nutrition.
Subcommittees
Subcommittee
Chair (R)
Ranking (D)
Commodities, Risk Management
and Trade
John Boozman
Joe Donnelly
Conservation, Forestry and Natural
Resources
David Perdue
Michael Bennet
Rural Development and Energy
Joni Ernst
Heidi Heitkamp
Livestock, Marketing, and
Agriculture Security
Ben Sasse
Kirsten Gillibrand
Nutrition, Specialty Crops, and
Agricultural Research
John Hoeven
Bob Casey
Republicans (11)
Chairman: Pat Roberts (R-KS)
Thad Cochran (R-MS)
Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
John Boozman (R-AR)*
John Hoeven (R-ND)*
David Perdue (R-GA)
Joni Ernst (R-IA)
Thom Tillis (R-NC)
Ben Sasse (R-NE)
Chuck Grassley (R-IA)*
John Thune (R-SD)*
Democrats (9)
Ranking Member: Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
Patrick Leahy (D-VT)*
Sherrod Brown (D-OH)
Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Michael Bennet (D-CO)*
Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY)
Joe Donnelly (D-IN)
Heidi Heitikamp (D-ND)
Bob Casey (D-PA)
*Up for re-election in 2016
Sources: National Journal Research, 2015.
Senate Appropriations Committee Overview
Jurisdiction
Committee Members
The Senate Appropriations Committee is
responsible for all discretionary spending
legislation in the Senate. It is also the largest
committee in the Senate.
Subcommittees
Subcommittee
Chair (R)
Ranking (D)
Agriculture, Rural Development,
FDA*
Jerry Moran
Jeff Merkley
Commerce, Justice, Science*
Richard Shelby
Barbara Mikulski
Defense
Thad Cochran
Dick Durbin
Energy and Water Development
Lamar Alexander
Dianne Feinstein
Financial Services and General
Government
John Boozman
Chris Coons
Homeland Security
John Hoeven
Jeanne Shaheen
Interior, Environment*
Lisa Murkowski
Tom Udall
Labor, HHS, Education*
Roy Blunt
Patty Murray
Legislative Branch
Shelley Moore
Capito
Brian Schatz
Military Construction, Veterans’
Affairs*
Mark Kirk
Jon Tester
State, Foreign Operations*
Lindsey Graham
Patrick Leahy
Transportation, HUD*
Susan Collins
Jack Reed
*Subcommittee also oversees related agencies and programs
Sources: National Journal Research, 2015.
Republicans (16)
Democrats (14)
Chairman: Thad Cochran (R-MS) Ranking Member: Barbara Mikulski (D-MD)†
Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
Patrick Leahy (D-VT)*
Susan Collins (R-ME)
Patty Murray (D-WA)*
Richard Shelby (R-AL)*
Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
John Boozman (R-AR)*
Richard Durbin (D-IL)
Lamar Alexander (R-TN)
Jack Reed (D-RI)
Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)*
Jon Tester (D-MT)
Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
Tom Udall (D-NM)
Mark Kirk (R-IL)*
Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)
John Hoeven (R-ND)*
Jeff Merkley (D-OR)
Roy Blunt (R-MO)*
Chris Coons (D-DE)
Jerry Moran (R-KS)*
Brian Schatz (D-HI)*
Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
Bill Cassidy (R-LA)
Chris Murphy (D-CT)
James Lankford (R-OK)*
Steve Daines (R-MT)
*Up for re-election in 2016
†Retiring from Senate after 2016
Senate Armed Services Committee Overview
Jurisdiction
$
Committee Members
The Senate Committee on Armed Services is
responsible for legislative oversight of the
military, which includes legislation related to
military research, nuclear energy, military benefits,
and the Department of Defense.
One independent
caucuses with
the Democrats
Subcommittees
Subcommittee
Chair (R)
Ranking (D)
Airland
Tom Cotton
Joe Manchin
Emerging Threats and Capabilities
Deb Fischer
Bill Nelson
Personnel
Lindsey Graham
Kirsten Gillibrand
Readiness and Management
Support
Mike Simpson
Marcy Kaptur
Seapower
Roger Wicker
Mazie Hirono
Strategic Forces
Jeff Sessions
Joe Donnelly
Republicans (14)
Chairman: John McCain (R-AZ)*
James Inhofe (R-OK)
Jeff Sessions (R-AL)
Roger Wicker (R-MS)
Kelly Ayotte (R-NH)*
Deb Fischer (R-NE)
Tom Cotton (R-AR)
Mike Rounds (R-SD)
Joni Ernst (R-IA)
Thom Tillis (R-NC)
Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
Dan Sullivan (R-AK)
Mike Lee (R-UT)*
Ted Cruz (R-TX)
Democrats (12)
Ranking Member: Jack Reed (D-RI)
Bill Nelson (D-FL)
Claire McCaskill (D-MO)
Joe Manchin (D-WV)
Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)
Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY)
Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)
Joe Donnelly (D-IN)
Mazie Hirono (D-HI)
Tim Kaine (D-VA)
Angus King (I-ME)
Martin Heinrich (D-NM)
*Up for re-election in 2016
Sources: National Journal Research, 2015.
Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee Overview
Jurisdiction
Committee Members
The Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Committee focuses on legislation related to
banking, insurance, financial markets, housing,
mass transit, and other economic issues.
Subcommittees
Subcommittee
Chair (R)
Ranking (D)
Economic Policy
Dean Heller
Elizabeth Warren
Financial Institutions and Consumer
Protection
Pat Toomey
Jeff Merkley
Housing, Transportation, and
Community Development
Tim Scott
Bob Menendez
Securities, Insurance, and
Investment
Mike Crapo
Mark Warner
National Security and International
Trade and Finance
Mark Kirk
Heidi Heitkamp
Republicans (12)
Chairman: Richard Shelby (R-AL)*
Bob Corker (R-TN)
David Vitter (R-LA)*
Pat Toomey (R-PA)*
Mark Kirk (R-IL)*
Jerry Moran (R-KS)*
Tim Scott (R-SC)*
Dean Heller (R-NV)
Mike Crapo (R-ID)*
Tom Cotton (R-AR)
Mike Rounds (R-SD)
Ben Sasse (R-NE)
Democrats (10)
Ranking Member: Sherrod Brown (D-OH)
Jack Reed (D-RI)
Chuck Schumer (D-NY)*
Bob Menendez (D-NJ)
Jon Tester (D-MT)
Mark Warner (D-VA)
Jeff Merkley (D-OR)
Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND)
Joe Donnelly (D-IN)
*Up for re-election in 2016
Sources: National Journal Research, 2015.
Senate Budget Committee Overview
Jurisdiction
$
Committee Members
The Senate Budget Committee is responsible for
oversight of the federal budget process, including
regular appropriations as well as the budgets of
agencies and programs funded outside of the
normal budgetary process.
Two
independents
caucus with the
Democrats
Subcommittees
No subcommittees
Republicans (12)
Chairman: Mike Enzi (R-WY)
Jeff Sessions (R-AL)
Chuck Grassley (R-IA)*
Mike Crapo (R-ID)*
Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
Rob Portman (R-OH)*
Pat Toomey (R-PA)*
Ron Johnson (R-WI)*
Kelly Ayotte (R-NH)*
Roger Wicker (R-MS)
Bob Corker (R-TN)
David Perdue (R-GA)
Democrats (10)
Ranking Member: Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
Patty Murray (D-WA)*
Ron Wyden (D-OR)*
Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
Mark Warner (D-VA)
Jeff Merkley (D-OR)
Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
Tim Kaine (D-VA)
Angus King (I-ME)
*Up for re-election in 2016
Sources: National Journal Research, 2015.
Senate on Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee Overview
Jurisdiction
Committee Members
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation is in charge of all matters
relating to highway safety, the Coast Guard,
ocean and atmospheric activities, and research
development.
Subcommittees
Subcommittee
Chair (R)
Ranking (D)
Aviation Operations, Safety, and
Security
Kelly Ayotte
Maria Cantwell
Communications, Technology,
Innovation and the Internet
Roger Wicker
Brian Schatz
Consumer Protection, Product
Safety, Insurance and Data Security
Jerry Moran
Richard Blumenthal
Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries,
and Coast Guard
Marco Rubio
Cory Booker
Science, Space, and
Competitiveness
Ted Cruz
Gary Peters
Surface Transportation and
Merchant Marine Infrastructure,
Safety, and Security
Deb Fischer
Cory Booker
Republicans (13)
Chairman: John Thune (R-SD)*
Roy Blunt (R-MO)*
Kelly Ayotte (R-NH)*
Ted Cruz (R-TX)
Ron Johnson (R-WI)*
Roger Wicker (R-MS)
Marco Rubio (R-FL)*
Dean Heller (R-NV)
Deb Fischer (R-NE)
Cory Gardner (R-CO)
Dan Sullivan (R-AK)
Jerry Moran (R-KS)*
Steve Daines (R-MT)
Democrats (11)
Ranking Member: Bill Nelson (D-FL)
Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)*
Ed Markey (D-MA)
Maria Cantwell (D-WA)
Claire McCaskill (D-MO)
Brian Schatz (D-HI)*
Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Tom Udall (D-NM)
Joe Manchin (D-WV)
Gary Peters (R-MI)
*Up for re-election in 2016
Sources: National Journal Research, 2015.
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Overview
Jurisdiction
Committee Members
The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural
Resources is responsible for matters related to
energy policy, territorial policy, native Hawaiian
matters, and public lands.
Two
independents
caucus with the
Democrats
Subcommittees
Subcommittee
Chair (R)
Ranking (D)
Energy
Jim Risch
Joe Manchin
National Parks
Bill Cassidy
Martin Heinrich
Public Lands, Forests and Mining
John Barrasso
Ron Wyden
Water and Power
Mike Lee
Mazie Hirono
Republicans (12)
Chairman: Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)*
John Barrasso (R-WY)
Mike Lee (R-UT)*
Jeff Flake (R-AZ)
Lamar Alexander (R-TN)
John Hoeven (R-ND)*
Jim Risch (R-ID)
Rob Portman (R-OH)*
Bill Cassidy (R-LA)
Cory Gardner (R-CO)
Steve Daines (R-MT)
Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV)
Democrats (10)
Ranking Member: Maria Cantwell (D-WA)
Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
Al Franken (D-MN)*
Mazie Hirono (D-HI)
Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
Joe Manchin (D-WV)
Martin Heinrich (D-NM)
Ron Wyden (D-OR)
Angus King (I-ME)
Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
*Up for re-election in 2016
Sources: National Journal Research, 2015.
Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Overview
Jurisdiction
Committee Members
The Senate Environment and Public Works
Committee is responsible for legislation relating
to environmental regulations and infrastructure.
One Independent
caucuses with
Democrats
Subcommittees
Subcommittee
Chair (R)
Ranking (D)
Clean Air and Nuclear Safety
Shelley Moore
Capito
Tom Carper
Superfund, Waste Management,
and Regulatory Oversight
Mike Rounds
Ed Markey
Transportation and Infrastructure
David Vitter
Barbara Boxer
Fisheries, Water and Wildlife
Dan Sullivan
Sheldon Whitehouse
Republicans (11)
Chairman: Jim Inhofe (R-OK)
David Vitter (R-LA)*
John Barrasso (R-WY)
Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV)
Jeff Sessions (R-AL)
Mike Crapo (R-ID)*
Roger Wicker (R-MS)
John Boozman (R-AR)*
Deb Fischer (R-NE)
Mike Rounds (R-SD)
Dan Sullivan (R-AK)
Democrats (9)
Ranking Member: Barbara Boxer (D-CA)†
Tom Carper (D-DE)
Ben Cardin (D-MD)
Bernie Sanders (I-VA)
Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
Jeff Merkley (D-OR)
Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Ed Markey (D-MA)
*Up for re-election in 2016
†Retiring from Senate after 2016
Sources: National Journal Research, 2015.
Senate Ethics Committee Overview
Jurisdiction
Committee Members
The Senate Ethics Committee is responsible for
addressing ethical matters in the Senate.
Subcommittees
No subcommittees
Republicans (3)
Chairman: Johnny Isakson (R-GA)*
Pat Roberts (R-KS)
Jim Risch (R-ID)
Democrats (3)
Vice Chairman: Barbara Boxer (D-WA)†
Chris Coons (D-DE)
Brian Schatz (D-HI)*
*Up for re-election in 2016
†Retiring from Senate after 2016
Sources: National Journal Research, 2015.
Senate Finance Committee Overview
Jurisdiction
Committee Members
The Senate Finance Committee oversees
legislation relating to taxation, Social Security,
Medicare, Medicaid, and trade agreements.
Subcommittees
Subcommittee
Chair (R)
Ranking (D)
Energy, Natural Resources, and
Infrastructure
Dan Coats
Michael Bennet
Fiscal Responsibility and Economic
Growth
Rob Portman
Mark Warner
Health Care
Pat Toomey
Debbie Stabenow
International Trade, Customs, and
Global Competitiveness
John Cornyn
Rob Wyden
Social Security, Pensions, and
Family Policy
Dean Heller
Sherrod Brown
Taxation and IRS Oversight
Mike Crapo
Bob Casey
Republicans (14)
Chairman: Orrin Hatch (R-UT)
Chuck Grassley (R-IA)*
Mike Crapo (R-ID)*
Pat Roberts (R-KS)
Mike Enzi (R-WY)
John Cornyn (R-TX)
John Thune (R-SD)*
Richard Burr (R-NC)*
Johnny Isakson (R-GA)*
Rob Portman (R-OH)*
Pat Toomey (R-PA)*
Dan Coats (R-IN)†
Dean Heller (R-NV)
Tim Scott (R-SC)*
Democrats (12)
Ranking Member: Ron Wyden (R-OR)*
Chuck Schumer (D-NY)*
Debbie Stabenow (R-MI)
Maria Cantwell (D-WA)
Bill Nelson (D-FL)
Bob Menendez (D-NJ)
Tom Carper (D-DE)
Ben Cardin (D-MD)
Sherrod Brown (D-OH)
Michael Bennet (D-CO)*
Bob Casey (D-PA)
Mark Warner (D-VA)
*Up for re-election in 2016
†Retiring from Senate after 2016
Sources: National Journal Research, 2015.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Overview
Jurisdiction
Committee Members
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is
responsible for all legislation relating to foreign
policy and international relations.
Subcommittees
Subcommittee
Chair (R)
Ranking (D)
Western Hemisphere,
Transnational Crime, Civilian
Security, Democracy, Human
Rights, and Global Women’s Issues
Marco Rubio
Barbara Boxer
Near East, South Asia, Central
Asia, and Counterterrorism
Jim Risch
Christopher Murphy
Africa and Global Health Policy
Jeff Flake
Edward Markey
East Asia, The Pacific, and
International Cybersecurity Policy
Cory Gardner
Benjamin Cardin
State Department and USAID
Management, International
Operations, and Bilateral
International Development
David Perdue
Tim Kaine
Europe and Regional Security
Cooperation
Ron Johnson
Jeanne Shaheen
Multilateral International
Development, Multilateral
Institutions, and International
Economic, Energy, and
Environmental Policy
John Barrasso
Tom Udall
Sources: National Journal Research, 2015.
Republicans (10)
Chairman: Bob Corker (R-TN)
Jim Risch (R-ID)
Marco Rubio (R-FL)*
Ron Johnson (R-WI)*
Jeff Flake (R-AZ)
Cory Gardner (R-CO)
David Perdue (R-GA)
Johnny Isakson (R-GA)*
John Barrasso (R-WY)
Rand Paul (R-KY)*
Democrats (9)
Ranking Member: Ben Cardin (D-MD)
Barbara Boxer (D-CA)†
Bob Menendez (D-NJ)
Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)
Chris Coons (D-DE)
Tom Udall (D-NM)
Chris Murphy (D-CT)
Tim Kaine (D-VA)
Ed Markey (D-MA)
*Up for re-election in 2016
†Retiring from Senate after 2016
Senate HELP Committee Overview
Jurisdiction
The Senate HELP (Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions) Committee deals with the wide range of
issues encompassed by its acronym, including
higher ed policy, occupational health and safety,
and medical research and development.
Committee Members
One
independent
caucuses with
the Democrats
Subcommittees
Subcommittee
Chair (R)
Ranking (D)
Children and Families
Rand Paul
Bob Casey
Employment and Workplace Safety
Johnny Isakson
Al Franken
Primary Health and Aging
Mike Enzi
Bernie Sanders
Republicans (12)
Chairman: Lamar Alexander (R-TN)
Mike Enzi (R-WY)
Richard Burr (R-NC)*
Johnny Isakson (R-GA)*
Rand Paul (R-KY)*
Susan Collins (R-ME)
Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)*
Orrin Hatch (R-UT)
Pat Roberts (R-KS)
Mark Kirk (R-IL)*
Tim Scott (R-SC)*
Bill Cassidy (R-LA)
Democrats (10)
Ranking Member: Patty Murray (D-WA)*
Barbara Mikulski (D-MD)†
Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
Bob Casey (D-PA)
Al Franken (D-MN)
Michael Bennet (D-CO)*
Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
Chris Murphy (D-CT)
Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
*Up for re-election in 2016
†Retiring from Senate after 2016
Sources: National Journal Research, 2015.
Senate Homeland Security and Gov’t Affairs Committee Overview
Jurisdiction
Committee Members
The Senate Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs Committee has jurisdiction
over the Department of Homeland Security and
other government functions, such as the Census
and the Postal Service.
Subcommittees
Subcommittee
Chair (R)
Ranking (D)
Permanent Subcommittee on
Investigations
Rob Portman
Claire McCaskill
Federal Spending Oversight and
Emergency Management
Rand Paul
Tammy Baldwin
Regulatory Affairs and Federal
Management
James Lankford
Heidi Heitkamp
Republicans (9)
Chairman: Ron Johnson (R-WI)*
John McCain (R-AZ)*
Rob Portman (R-OH)*
Rand Paul (R-KY)*
James Lankford (R-OK)*
Mike Enzi (R-WY)
Kelly Ayotte (R-NH)*
Joni Ernst (R-IA)
Ben Sasse (R-NE)
Democrats (7)
Ranking Member: Tom Carper (D-DE)
Claire McCaskill (D-MO)
Jon Tester (D-MT)
Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND)
Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Gary Peters (D-MI)
*Up for re-election in 2016
Sources: National Journal Research, 2015.
Senate Indian Affairs Committee Overview
Jurisdiction
Committee Members
The Senate Indian Affairs Committee is
responsible for oversight of matters related to
American Indians, Native Hawaiians, and Alaskan
natives.
Subcommittees
No subcommittees
Republicans (8)
Chairman: John Barrasso (R-WY)
John McCain (R-AZ)*
Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)*
John Hoeven (R-ND)*
James Lankford (R-OK)*
Steve Daines (R-MT)
Mike Crapo (R-ID)*
Jerry Moran (R-KS)*
Democrats (6)
Ranking Member: Jon Tester (D-MT)
Maria Cantwell (D-WA)
Tom Udall (D-NM)
Al Franken (D-MN)
Brian Schatz (D-HI)*
Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND)
*Up for re-election in 2016
Sources: National Journal Research, 2015.
Senate Intelligence Committee Overview
Jurisdiction
The Senate Committee on Intelligence is a select
committee with jurisdiction over intelligence
gathering operations and services. Many of its
committee hearings are not open to the public
due to their classified subject matters.
Committee Members
One independent
caucuses with the
Democrats
Subcommittees
No subcommittees
Republicans (8)
Chairman: Richard Burr (R-NC)*
Jim Risch (R-ID)
Dan Coats (R-IN)†*
Marco Rubio (R-FL)*
Susan Collins (R-ME)
Roy Blunt (R-MO)*
James Lankford (R-OK)*
Tom Cotton (R-AR)
Democrats (7)
Ranking Member: Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
Ron Wyden (D-OR)*
Barbara Mikulski (D-MD)†
Mark Warner (D-VA)
Martin Heinrich (D-NM)
Angus King (I-ME)
Mazie Hirono (D-HI)
*Up for re-election in 2016
†Retiring from Senate after 2016
Sources: National Journal Research, 2015.
Senate Judiciary Committee Overview
Jurisdiction
Committee Members
The Senate Judiciary Committee is responsible
for a broad range of issues relating to criminal
laws, immigration, antitrust laws, and civil rights,
and also conducts confirmation hearings for
federal court appointees.
Subcommittees
Subcommittee
Chair (R)
Ranking (D)
Antitrust, Competition Policy and
Consumer Rights
Mike Lee
Amy Klobuchar
The Constitution
John Cornyn
Dick Durbin
Crime and Terrorism
Lindsey Graham
Sheldon Whitehouse
Immigration and the National
Interest
Jeff Sessions
Chuck Schumer
Oversight, Agency Action, Federal
Rights and Federal Courts
Ted Cruz
Chris Coons
Privacy, Technology and the Law
Jeff Flake
Al Franken
Republicans (11)
Chairman: Chuck Grassley (R-IA)*
Orrin Hatch (R-UT)
Jeff Sessions (R-AL)
Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
John Cornyn (R-TX)
Mike Lee (R-UT)*
Ted Cruz (R-TX)
Jeff Flake (R-AZ)
David Vitter (R-LA)*
David Perdue (R-GA)
Thom Tillis (R-NC)
Democrats (9)
Ranking Member: Patrick Leahy (D-VT)*
Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
Chuck Schumer (D-NY)*
Dick Durbin (D-IL)
Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Al Franken (D-MN)
Chris Coons (D-DE)
Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)*
*Up for re-election in 2016
†Retiring from Senate after 2016
Sources: National Journal Research, 2015.
Senate Rules and Administration Committee Overview
Jurisdiction
Committee Members
The Senate Rules and Administration Committee is
responsible for setting rules of debate for the
Senate, assigning Senate office space, overseeing
the Smithsonian Institutions, and proposing
legislation regarding federal elections and
presidential succession.
One independent
caucuses with the
Democrats
Subcommittees
No subcommittees
Republicans (10)
Chairman: Roy Blunt (R-MO)*
Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
Lamar Alexander (R-TN)
Thad Cochran (R-MS)
Pat Roberts (R-KS)
Richard Shelby (R-AL)*
Ted Cruz (R-TX)
Shelly Moore Capito (R-WV)
John Boozman (R-AR)*
Roger Wicker (R-MS)
Democrats (8)
Ranking Member: Chuck Schumer (D-NY)*
Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
Dick Durbin (D-IL)
Tom Udall (D-NM)
Mark Warner (D-VA)
Patrick Leahy (D-VT)*
Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Angus King (I-ME)
*Up for re-election in 2016
†Retiring from Senate after 2016
Sources: National Journal Research, 2015.
Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee Overview
Jurisdiction
Committee Members
The Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship
Committee oversees the Small Business
Administration and other legislative issues
relating to small businesses.
Subcommittees
No subcommittees
Republicans (10)
Chairman: David Vitter (R-LA)*
Jim Risch (R-ID)
Marco Rubio (R-FL)*
Rand Paul (R-KY)*
Tim Scott (R-SC)*
Deb Fischer (R-NE)
Cory Gardner (R-CO)
Joni Ernst (R-IA)
Kelly Ayotte (R-NH)*
Mike Enzi (R-WY)
Democrats (9)
Ranking Member: Ben Cardin (D-MD)
Maria Cantwell (D-WA)
Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)
Heidi Keitkamp (D-ND)
Ed Markey (D-MA)
Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Chris Coons (D-DE)
Mazie Hirono (D-HI)
Gary Peters (D-MI)
*Up for re-election in 2016
†Retiring from Senate after 2016
Sources: National Journal Research, 2015.
Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Overview
Jurisdiction
Committee Members
The Senate Committee on Veterans’Affairs is
responsible for overseeing issues related to
the VA healthcare system and other benefits
for veterans of the U.S. military.
One independent
caucuses with the
Democrats
Subcommittees
No subcommittees
Republicans (8)
Chairman: Johnny Isakson (R-GA)*
Jerry Moran (R-KS)*
John Boozman (R-AR)*
Dean Heller (R-NV)
Bill Cassidy (R-LA)
Mike Rounds (R-SD)
Thom Tillis (R-NC)
Dan Sullivan (R-AK)
Democrats (7)
Ranking Member: Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)*
Patty Murray (D-WA)*
Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
Sherrod Brown (D-OH)
Jon Tester (D-MT)
Mazie Hirono (D-HI)
Joe Manchin (D-WV)
*Up for re-election in 2016
Sources: National Journal Research, 2015.