Congressional CommitteesBy: Julian Mullen

House Committees Jurisdiction

Science

General and special investigative authority on all matters within the

jurisdiction of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

Legislative jurisdiction and general oversight and investigative

authority on all matters relating to science policy and science

education.

Governs matters relating to space policy, space commercialization.

Has jurisdiction over the policies of government operated labs.

Operates national presence of international space cooperation.

Energy and Commerce

oversee general national energy policy.

general interstate and foreign commerce.

consumer protection relating to the exploration, production, storage, supply,

marketing, pricing and regulation of energy resources and development.

maintains principal responsibility for legislative oversight relating to

telecommunications, consumer protection, food and drug safety, public

health, air quality and environmental health, the supply and delivery of

energy, and interstate and foreign commerce in general.

This jurisdiction extends over five Cabinet-level departments and seven

independent agencies—from the Department of Energy, Health and Human

Services, the Transportation Department to the Federal Trade Commission,

Food and Drug Administration, and Federal Communications Commission.

International Relations

national security developments affecting foreign policy.

war powers, treaties, executive agreements, and the deployment

and use of United States Armed Forces.

peacekeeping, peace enforcement, and enforcement of United

Nations or other international sanctions.

international law enforcement issues, including narcotics control

programs and activities.

public diplomacy, including international communication,

information policy, international education, and cultural

programs.

Agriculture

Matters relating to rural development, including rural telephone companies,

farm credit banks, farm rural housing loans, rural water supply, rural flood

control and water pollution control programs, and loans for rural firehouses,

community facilities, and businesses.

All matters relating to pesticides, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and

Rodenticide Act.

Legislation establishing the level of fees charged by the Federal Government

for the grazing of livestock on Federal lands.

Legislation relating to the control of the entry into the United States of

temporary, nonresident aliens for employment in agricultural production.

Price spreads of agricultural commodities between producers and consumers.

Small Businesses

Oversight of capital access and financial markets.

Oversight of general tax policy affecting small

businesses.

The management of the SBA disaster loan program.

SBA financial assistance programs, including guaranteed

loans, microloans, certified development company loans,

and small business investment companies.

• Oversight of the Department of Agriculture business and industry guaranteed loan program.

Senate Committees Jurisdiction

Rules and Administration

make a continuing study of the organization and operation of the

Congress.

recommend improvements in such organization and operation with a

view toward strengthening the Congress.

identify any court proceeding or action which, in the opinion of the

Committee, is of vital interest to the Congress as a constitutionally

established institution of the Federal Government and call such

proceeding or action to the attention of the Senate.

develop, implement, and update as necessary a strategic planning process

and a strategic plan for the functional and technical infrastructure support

of the Senate.

provide oversight over plans developed by Senate officers and others in

accordance with the strategic planning process.

Indian Affairs

to conduct a study of any and all matters pertaining to

problems and opportunities of Indians.

Control Indian land management.

Indian education, health, special services, and loan

programs.

Deal with Indian claims against the United States.

Ensure equal opportunities for Native Americans.

Environment and Public Works

learn more about infrastructure needs and priorities.

Issues involving disaster relief.

Historic preservation.

Air quality regulation.

Public works maintenance.

Budget

Lay out how much we as a nation value safe roads and bridges.

lay down a strong foundation for long-term economic growth.

determine who pays for the government the people want, and how. It addresses

questions like whether or not a teacher making $45,000 a year should pay

higher or lower income taxes, and whether or not we can afford to continue to

offer hundreds of billions of dollars in tax breaks to wealthy individuals, oil

companies, and corporate jet owners.

plans for how we are going to deal with our debt and deficit challenges,

hopefully in a way that works for the middle class, is good for the economy, and

is fair for the next generation.

determine how much we want to invest in our workers and students, our most

vulnerable families, and the infrastructure, research and innovation that will lay

down a strong foundation for long-term economic growth.

Armed Services• Aeronautical and space activities peculiar to or primarily

associated with the development of weapons systems or military operations.

• maintenance and operation of the Panama Canal, including administration, sanitation, and government of the Canal Zone.

• the Department of Defense, the Department of the Army, the Department of the Navy, and the Department of the Air Force.

• Manage military research and development.• Manage naval petroleum reserves, except those in Alaska.