Foreign Relations
The United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations is a standing committee of the United States Senate. It is charged with leading foreign-policy legislation and debate in the Senate. The Foreign Relations Committee is generally responsible for overseeing (but not administering) and funding foreign aid programs as well as funding arms sales and training for national allies. The committee is also responsible for holding confirmation hearings for high-level positions in the Department 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.
Finance
The United States Senate Committee on Finance has some of the broadest jurisdiction in the Senate, with authority over issues related to taxation and other revenue measures, the United States’ debt, trade agreements, tariff and import quotas, and other related matters. The committee also oversees health programs under the Social Security Act, including Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families and other health and human services programs financed by a specific tax or trust fund, as well as national social security.
Commerce, Science, and Transportation
The United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is a standing committee of the United States Senate in charge of all senate matters related to the following subjects: Coast Guard, Coastal zone management, Communications, “Green” Technologies and Practices, Highway safety, Inland waterways, except construction, Interstate commerce, Marine and ocean navigation, safety, and transportation, Marine fisheries, Merchant marine and navigation, Nonmilitary aeronautical and space sciences, Oceans, weather, and atmospheric activities, Panama Canal and other interoceanic canals. Regulation of consumer products and services, including testing related to toxic substances, other than pesticides, and except for credit, financial services, and housing, Regulation of interstate common carriers, including railroads, buses, trucks, vessels, pipelines, and civil aviation, Science, engineering, and technology research and development and policy. Sports, Standards and measurement, Transportation. Transportation and commerce aspects of Continental Shelf lands.
Small Business and Entrepreneurship
The U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship is a standing committee of the United States Senate. It has jurisdiction over the Small Business Administration and is also charged with researching and investigating all problems of American small business enterprises.