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

The members of each U.S. Senate committee and subcommittee are printed all on one web page, courtesy of the law firm of Perkins Coie.

Select any U.S. Senate committee or subcommittee to find out who the members are.

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

U.S. Senate Rule 25 spells out in detail the jurisdiction of each of the Senate's standing committees.

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

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

Responsibilities of this joint committee of the House and Senate include overseeing the Library of Congress.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Has jurisdiction over energy policy, regulation, and research. Also deals with energy and mineral conservation, ports used for energy transport, irrigation, reclamation, mining, parks and similar resources, petroleum reserves in Alaska, public lands, and territorial possessions.

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.

Investigates allegations of misconduct by members, and recommends disciplinary action to the full Senate.

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.

Responsibilities include public welfare, aging, arts and humanities, biomedical research, child and convict labor, domestic Red Cross activities, agricultural colleges, equal employment opportunity, disabled people, training, occupational safety, private pensions, railway labor, foreign laborers, and student loans.

Deals with executive branch reorganization, National Archives, federal accounting, census, congressional reorganization within Senate rules, civil service, D.C. affairs, nuclear exports, Postal Service, federal employee compensation, Comptroller General, agency efficiency, interagency relations, and relations with States and international bodies.

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.

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.

Deals with Senate infrastructure, assigning offices, Senate rules, attendance, corruption, member qualifications, contested elections, federal elections generally, Government Printing Office, Congressional Record, presidential succession, monuments, Library of Congress, Smithsonian, and monitoring court cases that affect Congress.

This committee deals primarily with matters related to the Small Business Administration, and also is generally responsible for studying problems of American small business enterprises.

The Committee reviews Medicare's performance, as well as pension coverage and employment opportunities for older Americans. It conducts oversight of Social Security, and deals with fraud against the elderly and against federal programs for the elderly.

Committee jurisdiction includes compensation of veterans, life insurance issued by the Government due to military service, national cemeteries, pensions, readjustment to civilian life, soldiers' and sailors' civil relief, vocational rehabilitation and education of veterans, and veterans' medical care.