The Helsinki Commission Chairman and Co-Chairman are selected by the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House and rotate their positions between the chambers with each new Congress, or every two years.  The current Chairman is Representative Christopher H. Smith of New Jersey, who has served in the House since 1981 and as a Commissioner since 1983.  The Co-Chairman is Senator Roger F. Wicker of Mississippi. 

Previous Commission chairs have included Representatives Dante B. Fascell of Florida, Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland and Alcee L. Hastings of Florida; and Senators Benjamin Cardin of Maryland, Alfonse M. D’Amato of New York, Dennis D. DeConcini of Arizona, Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Colorado and Sam Brownback of Kansas. Senators Claiborne Pell of Rhode Island and Bob Dole of Kansas previously served as co-chairs.