Committees

Katia BlackPeriod 6th

3-15-13

House standing Committees

• Agriculture• Transportation and infrastructure• Education and the workforce• Resources• Energy and commerce

Agriculture

• Was created on May 3, 1820• Has general jurisdiction over federal agriculture

policy and oversight of some federal agencies.• They can recommend funding appropriations for

various governmental agencies, programs, and activities.

• Has jurisdiction over forestry, nutrition, water conservation, and other agriculture related fields.

• It is not a particularly powerful committee.

Transportation and infrastructure• This committee was formed in 1842• All of the committees are reduced into certain sections known as

“subcommittees.” • A few of the subcommittees include aviation, highways and transit, water

resources and environment, railroads, pipelines, and Hazardous materials.• The subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation oversees

the activities of the U.S. Coast Guard and the Federal Maritime Commission.

• The Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management subcommittee conducts oversight of programs addressing the Federal management of emergencies and natural disasters such as the terrorist attack in 2001, and hurricane Katrina tragedy of 2005.

Education and the Workforce• From 1947 to 1994 and again from 2007 to 2011, during

Democratic control of the House, it was known as the committee on Education and Labor.

• On March 21, 1867, the committee was named “Education and Labor” and was founded following the Civil War.

• When the Republicans recaptured the committee in 2010 elections they renamed it “Education and the Workforce.

• Their purpose is to ensure that Americans needs are addressed so that students and workers may move forward in a changing school system and a competitive global economy.

• The committee and its five subcommittees oversee education and workforce programs that affect all Americans, from early learning through secondary education.

Resources (Natural)• Originally called the “Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs”, the

name was changed to the Natural Resources committee in 1993.• The name was shortened to the Resources committee in 1995.• This committee considers issues relating to agricultural production,

marketing and sales; animal and plant disease control and mining.• Helps with forest protection• Also considers the management of certain state-owned lands.

Energy and Commerce

• One of the oldest standing committees• The committee has served as the principle guide for the House in matters relating to the promotion of commerce and

to the publics health and marketplace interests.• Today it maintains principle responsibility for legislative

oversight relating to telecommunications, consumer protection, food and drug safety, public health, air quality

etc.• The subcommittees are (Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade) (Communications and Technology) (Energy and Power)

(Environment and Economy) (Health) (Oversight and Investigations).

• Was originally formed as the committee on commerce and Manufactures on December 14, 1795.

Senate Standing Committees

• Armed Forces• Foreign Relations• Health, Education, Labor and Pensions• Veterans Affairs• Small Business

Armed Services• Is a 26 member committee that oversees our nation’s

common defense.• They make sure our military can defend the nation against

all potential threats. That is critically important.• Dedicated to ensuring that the women and men of our

military and Department of Defense civilians get the support they need.

• Established on December 10, 1816.• They have maintenance and operation of the Panama

Canal, including administration, sanitization, and government of the Canal zone.

Foreign Relations

• This committee was established in 1816.• It holds jurisdiction overall diplomatic nominations. • There are 7 subcommittees• 1. Subcommittee on International operations and organizations, Human

Rights, Democracy, and Global Women’s issues.• 2. Subcommittee on east asian and pacific affairs.• 3. Subcommittee on near eastern and south central asian affairs.• 4. Subcommittee on African affairs• 5. Subcommittee on western hemisphere and Global Narcotics affairs.• 6. Subcommittee on european affairs • 7. Subcommittee on international development and foreign assistance,

economic affairs, international environmental protection, and peace corps.

Health, Education, Labor and Pensions

• The committee began in 1869 as the committee of Education and in 1884 through the mid-1900’s it was known as the Education

and Labor committee.• Today it is led by Democrat chairman Tom Harkin.

• Comprised of 22 senators• The committee is composed of three subcommittees, which have

a broad jurisdiction over our country’s healthcare, education, employment and retirement polocies.

Veterans Affairs

• Was created in 1970 to transfer responsibilities for veterans from the Finance and Labor committees to a single panel.

• They provide Veteran hospitals, medical care and treatment of Veterans.

• They also provide life insurance issued by the government on account of service in the Armed Forces.

• National cemeteries • Vocational rehabilitation and education of Veterans.

Small Business

• Was established October 8, 1940 then terminated on January 31, 1949 but on February 20, 1950, its functions to the select committee on small business.

• www.google.com• http://www.senate.gov/• http://www.house.gov/committees/

Works Cited