Committees

Due to the high volume and complexity of its work, Congress divides its tasks among approximately 250 committees and subcommittees. The House and Senate each have their own committee system, which are similar. Within chamber guidelines, however, each committee adopts its own rules, so there is considerable variation among panels.

For more information on how the Senate Committee system works, link to Committees on the main Senate web page.

Senate Standing, Select, Special, and Joint Committees

Committees Home Page

Origins & Development: Senate Committees

Frequently Asked Questions about Committees

Membership

by committee

by member

Committee/Subcommittee membership

Committee Chairs

Senate Committee Chairs, 1789-

Hearings & Meetings Schedule

Committee Hearings

Research Guide: How to. . .find committee hearings

Congressional Committee Materials Online (GPO)

Nomination Hearings for Supreme Court Justices

Congressional Reports

Research Guide: How to. . .find committee reports.

GPO: Main Page, Search, Browse

Congress.gov: Committee Reports 104th Congress-Present

Committee Creation & History

Bibliography on Committee Histories (pdf)

When Did the Senate Create Permanent Committees? Dec 10, 1816

When was the Senate Appropriations Committee Created? Mar 6, 1867

When was the Senate Banking Committee Created? Mar 15, 1913

Senate Eliminates 42 Committees May 27, 1920

Special and Select Committees

Teapot Dome Investigation Apr 15, 1922

Nye Committee (Senate Munitions Committee) Sep 4, 1934

The Truman Committee Mar 1, 1941

Kefauver Crime Committee May 3, 1950

Historic Spaces

The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee (pdf)

The U.S. Foreign Relations Committee (pdf)

House Committees

Committee List

Committee Meetings

Related Links

Joint Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies