Committee History

One of the Senate's original standing committees, the Committee on the Judiciary was first authorized on December 10, 1816. The Committee has one of the broadest jurisdictions in the Senate, ranging from criminal justice to antitrust and intellectual property law. Senator Dudley Chase of Vermont, became the first Chairman of the Committee on December 13, 1816. The longest sitting chairman, before limits were established, was Senator James O. Eastland of Mississippi serving over the span of 22 years from 1956 through 1978.