Committees and Caucuses

Committees

House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology

The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology has jurisdiction over all energy research, development, and demonstration, and projects therefor, and all federally owned or operated non-military energy laboratories; astronautical research and development, including resources, personnel, equipment, and facilities; civil aviation research and development; environmental research and development; marine research; commercial application of energy technology; National Institute of Standards and Technology, standardization of weights and measures and the metric system; National Aeronautics and Space Administration; National Science Foundation; National Weather Service; outer space, including exploration and control thereof; science scholarships; scientific research, development, and demonstration, and projects therefor. The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology shall review and study on a continuing basis laws, programs, and Government activities relating to non-military research and development.

 

House Committee on Natural Resources 

considers legislation about American energy production, mineral lands and mining, fisheries and wildlife, public lands, oceans, Native Americans, irrigation and reclamation. 

Caucuses

Congressional Progressive Caucus
Established in 1991, the CPC reflects the diversity and strength of the American people and seeks to give voice to the needs and aspirations of all Americans and to build a more just and humane society. The Progressive Caucus works to promote four main goals: 1. Fighting for economic justice and security for all; 2. Protecting and preserving our civil rights and civil liberties; 3. Promoting global peace and security; and 4. Advancing environmental protection and energy independence

Congressional Women's Caucus
On April 19, 1977, fifteen Congresswomen held the first meeting of the Congresswomen’s Caucus in a small room in the Capitol, known then as the Congresswomen’s Reading Room. In the months that followed, the Congresswomen met to discuss Social Security and private pension reform, as well as the importance of child care and job training to moving women off welfare. The new Caucus met with then-Commerce Secretary Juanita Kreps to discuss government contracts for women-owned businesses and asked the Small Business Committee to hold hearings on the subject.

The Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues (CCWI) is a Congressional Member Organization (CMO) registered with the House Administration Committee; its membership includes the women Members of the House of Representatives. CCWI is not formally affiliated with Women’s Policy, Inc.; however, the two organizations share similar goals.
 


Animal Protection Caucus
The Congressional Animal Protection Caucus (CAPC) is a bipartisan organization committed to raising awareness of animal welfare issues in Congress. CAPC was formed in February 2009 and replaced the Friends of Animals Caucus founded by former Representatives Tom Lantos (D-CA) and Chris Shays (R-CT).

Armenian Caucus
Established in 1995, the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues (Armenian Caucus) is an informal, bipartisan group of legislators dedicated to maintaining and strengthening the U.S.-Armenia relationship. 

Autism Caucus 
The goals of the bipartisan Coalition for Autism Research and Education include, but are not limited to: increasing general awareness of autism and autism spectrum disorders among Members of Congress and policy analysts in federal government; educating Members of Congress on current and future research initiatives regarding autism; serving as a forum where autism-related policy issues can be exchanged, debated, and discussed; bringing together public, private, and government entities to pursue legislative initiatives that will help facilitate advanced treatments—and ultimately a cure—for autism spectrum disorders; promoting all means to ease the burdens of families and loved ones affected by autism.

Baby Caucus
The Congressional Baby Caucus aims to ensure that public policy reflects the latest research in understanding how children’s brains are shaped and developed, how positive behaviors can be encouraged, and how investments in early childhood create success in later years, as well as that families are supported with what they need to take advantage of the scientific advances.

Bicameral Task Force on Climate Change
The Bicameral Task Force on Climate Change is co-chaired by Reps. Henry A. Waxman, Bobby L. Rush, and Earl Blumenauer and Senators Sheldon Whitehouse, Ed Markey, and Ben Cardin.  The purpose of the task force is to focus congressional and public attention on climate change and to develop effective policy responses to this urgent challenge.

Bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease
Founded in 1999, the Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease was established to advance research and public awareness of Alzheimer’s disease by bringing the disease to the forefront of the congressional agenda. The bipartisan task force is led by Co-Chairs Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA), Rep. Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ), Senator Susan M. Collins (R-ME) and Senator Ed Markey (D-MA). The approximately 150 members of the Task Force and their influence have been instrumental in helping the estimated 5.4 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease. 

Biomedical Research Caucus
A Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus (CBRC) was established in 1989 to broaden the support and knowledge of basic and clinical biomedical research issues throughout the Congress in a bipartisan manner. The CBRC is a bipartisan, bicameral Caucus and takes no dues from its members. Seventy five Members of the House of Representatives and nine Members of the Senate comprise the Caucus Membership with Brian Bilbray (R-CA), Michael Castle (R-DE), Rush Holt (D-NJ), and Jackie Speier (D-CA)serving as co-chairs.

Cranberry Caucus
The Congressional Cranberry Caucus was created in 2012 as a platform to educate members of Congress, their staffs and federal agencies about cranberry production across the U.S. The caucus aims to address conservation, environmental and nutritional benefits and concerns, along with issues surrounding the international trade of cranberries.

Internet Caucus 
The Congressional Internet Caucus is a bipartisan group of over 100 members of the House and Senate working to educate their colleagues about the promise and potential of the Internet.

Hellenic Caucus
The purpose of this bi-partisan caucus is to foster and improve relations between the United States and Greece. The Caucus serves to bring a renewed congressional focus on key diplomatic, military, and human rights issues in a critical part of the world.

Peace Corps Caucus
Started in 2013, this caucus supports the Peace Corp’s half-century vision, mission and effectiveness of deploying U.S. citizens overseas in a spirit of friendship, collaboration and understanding.

Prescription Drug Abuse Caucus
This caucus aims to unite like-minded policy-makers in raising awareness of abuse, while working towards innovative and effective policy solutions incorporating treatment, prevention, law enforcement and research.

Safe Climate Caucus
The Safe Climate Caucus is comprised of 38 members of the House who have made a commitment to end the conspiracy of silence in Congress about the dangers of climate change.  What unites us is our understanding that climate change is the moral issue of our time.  We believe we have an obligation to use our voices to raise awareness of the dangers we are creating for our children and grandchildren if we do not act now. 

Small Brewers Caucus
Small brewers have been making beer in America since the founding of our country. We're glad that craft beers from nearly 2,000 small breweries across the United States can be enjoyed today. The bipartisan House Small Brewers Caucus is dedicated to educating Members of Congress and their staff about legislation, regulations, and other unique issues faced by small American breweries.

Sustainable Energy & Environment Coalition
The purpose of the House of Representatives Sustainable Energy & Environment Coalition is to Advance policies that promote clean energy technology innovation and domestic manufacturing, develop renewable energy resources, and create green collar jobs throughout the product supply-chain. The coalition also works to advance polices to help arrest global warming and protect our nation’s clean air, water and natural environment.

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission
The mission of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission is to promote, defend and advocate internationally recognized human rights norms in a nonpartisan manner, both within and outside of Congress, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other relevant human rights instruments