Senator Carl Levin: Committees & Task Forces

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COMMITTEES

To learn more specific information about Senator Levin's work on a particular committee, select from the list below. more >

Armed Services >
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs >
Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations >
Intelligence >
Small Business >

TASK FORCES

Task forces are working groups formed to address issues of particular concern. Senator Levin is a leader of four such task forces benefiting both Michigan and the nation. more >

Great Lakes >
Smart Growth >
Auto Caucus >
Auto Parts >

Senator Levin serves on the following committees and task forces:

Armed Services Committee
Throughout his Senate career, Senator Carl Levin has been a member of the Armed Services Committee and currently serves as the ranking member (the senior Democrat). Senator Levin's work on the committee reflects his longstanding commitment and concentrated focus on the readiness, morale and welfare of our military forces and their families; the modernization of our armed forces; cost-effective defense procurement and management practices; and efforts to reduce the threats to our nation and the world from the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the threats posed by terrorism. more >

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
Senator Carl Levin has served on the Governmental Affairs Committee during his entire Senate career. As the most senior Democrat on the committee, Senator Levin has worked to increase accountability and efficiency in the federal government and eliminate waste, fraud and abuse. more >

Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations
The Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, a subcommittee of the Governmental Affairs Committee, conducts complex investigations. It has authority to investigate a broad range of issues, including financial crime, organized crime, offshore jurisdictions, and federal waste, fraud and abuse. Senator Levin is the ranking Democrat on the subcommittee and served as its Chairman from June 2001 until January 2003. more >

Intelligence Committee
Senator Levin has served on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence since 1997. The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence oversees the Central Intelligence Agency, Defense Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency and other intelligence gathering organizations of the federal government. more >

Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee
As a senior member of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Senator Levin champions the interests of Michigan small businesses. He understands that small business is the heart of America's economic strength and job creation. more >

Great Lakes Task Force
As co-chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, a bipartisan and bicameral organization working to enhance the economic and environmental health of the Great Lakes, Senator Levin has worked on many of the issues facing the lakes. more >

Smart Growth Task Force
Senator Levin co-founded and co-chairs the Senate Smart Growth Task Force, a bipartisan, multi-region working group that promotes smart growth practices and community-focused development policies. more >

Senate Auto Caucus
The Senate Auto Caucus provides a forum for senators to exchange ideas and influence policy on issues affecting the U.S. automotive industry including trade, transportation and advancements in technology. Senator Levin co-chairs this bipartisan caucus. more >

Senate Auto Parts Task Force
The Senate Auto Parts Task Force sponsors briefings for senators and staff on issues of concern to the U.S. auto parts industry. As co-chair of the Auto Parts Task Force, Senator Levin has pressed the Bush Administration to take stronger action to open Japanese and Korean markets to U.S. autos and auto parts. more >

BACKGROUND

The Senate divides its tasks among 20 committees and four joint committees. Standing committees generally have legislative jurisdiction, and subcommittees handle specific areas of each committee's jurisdiction. Select and joint committees generally handle oversight or administrative responsibilities.

Several thousand bills and resolutions are referred to committees during each two-year Congress. Committees select a small percentage for consideration, and those not addressed often receive no further action. The bills that committees report help to set the Senate's agenda.

(Source: The Committee System in the U.S. Congress, Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress. August 29, 1994, revised by the Senate Historical Office, September 2002.)