Government ExplainedA guide to how government works
How Congress divides its work

Committees: smaller groups, focused work

Congress uses committees to study subjects, hear from witnesses, examine legislation, and oversee public programs.

Start with the job

A standing committee is a continuing body with assigned subjects. A subcommittee focuses on part of a parent committee’s work. A hearing gathers testimony; a markup considers legislative text. Neither is the same as passing a law through Congress.

Then read the membership

The chair leads the body. A ranking member is usually the leading minority-party member; some bodies use other titles. Membership can help explain an official’s work, but does not establish their policy position.

232 records. Use the controls to narrow the list.

BodyChamberKindParent
AfricahousesubcommitteeCommittee on Foreign Affairs
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related AgencieshousesubcommitteeCommittee on Appropriations
AviationhousesubcommitteeCommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure
Border Security and EnforcementhousesubcommitteeCommittee on Homeland Security
Capital MarketshousesubcommitteeCommittee on Financial Services
Central Intelligence AgencyhousesubcommitteePermanent Select Committee on Intelligence
Coast Guard and Maritime TransportationhousesubcommitteeCommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure
Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related AgencieshousesubcommitteeCommittee on Appropriations
Commerce, Manufacturing, and TradehousesubcommitteeCommittee on Energy and Commerce
Commission on Security and Cooperation in EuropesenatecommissionTop-level body
Committee on AgriculturehousestandingTop-level body
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and ForestrysenatestandingTop-level body
Committee on AppropriationshousestandingTop-level body
Committee on AppropriationssenatestandingTop-level body
Committee on Armed ServiceshousestandingTop-level body
Committee on Armed ServicessenatestandingTop-level body
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban AffairssenatestandingTop-level body
Committee on Commerce, Science, and TransportationsenatestandingTop-level body
Committee on Education and WorkforcehousestandingTop-level body
Committee on Energy and CommercehousestandingTop-level body
Committee on Energy and Natural ResourcessenatestandingTop-level body
Committee on Environment and Public WorkssenatestandingTop-level body
Committee on EthicshousestandingTop-level body
Committee on FinancesenatestandingTop-level body
Committee on Financial ServiceshousestandingTop-level body
Committee on Foreign AffairshousestandingTop-level body
Committee on Foreign RelationssenatestandingTop-level body
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and PensionssenatestandingTop-level body
Committee on Homeland SecurityhousestandingTop-level body
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental AffairssenatestandingTop-level body
Committee on House AdministrationhousestandingTop-level body
Committee on Indian AffairssenateselectTop-level body
Committee on Natural ResourceshousestandingTop-level body
Committee on Oversight and Government ReformhousestandingTop-level body
Committee on RuleshousestandingTop-level body
Committee on Rules and AdministrationsenatestandingTop-level body
Committee on Science, Space, and TechnologyhousestandingTop-level body
Committee on Small BusinesshousestandingTop-level body
Committee on Small Business and EntrepreneurshipsenatestandingTop-level body
Committee on the BudgethousestandingTop-level body
Committee on the BudgetsenatestandingTop-level body
Committee on the JudiciaryhousestandingTop-level body
Committee on the JudiciarysenatestandingTop-level body
Committee on Transportation and InfrastructurehousestandingTop-level body
Committee on Veterans' AffairshousestandingTop-level body
Committee on Veterans' AffairssenatestandingTop-level body
Committee on Ways and MeanshousestandingTop-level body
Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural DevelopmenthousesubcommitteeCommittee on Agriculture
Communications and TechnologyhousesubcommitteeCommittee on Energy and Commerce
Conservation, Research, and BiotechnologyhousesubcommitteeCommittee on Agriculture
Contracting and InfrastructurehousesubcommitteeCommittee on Small Business
Counterterrorism and IntelligencehousesubcommitteeCommittee on Homeland Security
Courts, Intellectual Property, Artificial Intelligence, and the InternethousesubcommitteeCommittee on the Judiciary
Crime and Federal Government SurveillancehousesubcommitteeCommittee on the Judiciary
Cyber, Information Technologies, and InnovationhousesubcommitteeCommittee on Armed Services
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure ProtectionhousesubcommitteeCommittee on Homeland Security
Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government InnovationhousesubcommitteeCommittee on Oversight and Government Reform
DefensehousesubcommitteeCommittee on Appropriations
Defense Intelligence and Overhead ArchitecturehousesubcommitteePermanent Select Committee on Intelligence
Delivering on Government EfficiencyhousesubcommitteeCommittee on Oversight and Government Reform
Digital Assets, Financial Technology, and Artificial IntelligencehousesubcommitteeCommittee on Financial Services
Disability Assistance and Memorial AffairshousesubcommitteeCommittee on Veterans' Affairs
Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary EducationhousesubcommitteeCommittee on Education and Workforce
East Asia and PacifichousesubcommitteeCommittee on Foreign Affairs
Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency ManagementhousesubcommitteeCommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure
Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory AffairshousesubcommitteeCommittee on Oversight and Government Reform
Economic Growth, Tax, and Capital AccesshousesubcommitteeCommittee on Small Business
Economic OpportunityhousesubcommitteeCommittee on Veterans' Affairs
ElectionshousesubcommitteeCommittee on House Administration
Emergency Management and TechnologyhousesubcommitteeCommittee on Homeland Security
EnergyhousesubcommitteeCommittee on Energy and Commerce
EnergyhousesubcommitteeCommittee on Science, Space, and Technology
Energy and Mineral ResourceshousesubcommitteeCommittee on Natural Resources
Energy and Water Development and Related AgencieshousesubcommitteeCommittee on Appropriations
EnvironmenthousesubcommitteeCommittee on Energy and Commerce
EnvironmenthousesubcommitteeCommittee on Science, Space, and Technology
EuropehousesubcommitteeCommittee on Foreign Affairs
Federal LandshousesubcommitteeCommittee on Natural Resources
Federal Law EnforcementhousesubcommitteeCommittee on Oversight and Government Reform
Financial InstitutionshousesubcommitteeCommittee on Financial Services
Financial Services and General GovernmenthousesubcommitteeCommittee on Appropriations
Forestry and HorticulturehousesubcommitteeCommittee on Agriculture
General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and CredithousesubcommitteeCommittee on Agriculture
Government OperationshousesubcommitteeCommittee on Oversight and Government Reform
HealthhousesubcommitteeCommittee on Energy and Commerce
HealthhousesubcommitteeCommittee on Veterans' Affairs
HealthhousesubcommitteeCommittee on Ways and Means
Health Care and Financial ServiceshousesubcommitteeCommittee on Oversight and Government Reform
Health, Employment, Labor, and PensionshousesubcommitteeCommittee on Education and Workforce
Higher Education and Workforce DevelopmenthousesubcommitteeCommittee on Education and Workforce
Highways and TransithousesubcommitteeCommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure
Homeland SecurityhousesubcommitteeCommittee on Appropriations
Housing and InsurancehousesubcommitteeCommittee on Financial Services
Immigration Integrity, Security, and EnforcementhousesubcommitteeCommittee on the Judiciary
Indian and Insular AffairshousesubcommitteeCommittee on Natural Resources
Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Workforce DevelopmenthousesubcommitteeCommittee on Small Business
Intelligence and Special OperationshousesubcommitteeCommittee on Armed Services
Interior, Environment, and Related AgencieshousesubcommitteeCommittee on Appropriations
Investigations and OversighthousesubcommitteeCommittee on Science, Space, and Technology
Joint Committee of Congress on the LibrarysenatejointTop-level body
Joint Committee on PrintinghousejointTop-level body
Joint Committee on PrintingsenatejointTop-level body
Joint Committee on TaxationhousejointTop-level body
Joint Committee on TaxationsenatejointTop-level body
Joint Committee on the LibraryhousejointTop-level body
Joint Economic CommitteehousejointTop-level body
Joint Economic CommitteesenatejointTop-level body
Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related AgencieshousesubcommitteeCommittee on Appropriations
Legislative and Budget ProcesshousesubcommitteeCommittee on Rules
Legislative BranchhousesubcommitteeCommittee on Appropriations
Livestock, Dairy, and PoultryhousesubcommitteeCommittee on Agriculture
Middle East and North AfricahousesubcommitteeCommittee on Foreign Affairs
Military and Foreign AffairshousesubcommitteeCommittee on Oversight and Government Reform
Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related AgencieshousesubcommitteeCommittee on Appropriations
Military PersonnelhousesubcommitteeCommittee on Armed Services
Modernization and InnovationhousesubcommitteeCommittee on House Administration
National Intelligence EnterprisehousesubcommitteePermanent Select Committee on Intelligence
National Security Agency and CyberhousesubcommitteePermanent Select Committee on Intelligence
National Security, Department of State, and Related ProgramshousesubcommitteeCommittee on Appropriations
National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial InstitutionshousesubcommitteeCommittee on Financial Services
Nutrition and Foreign AgriculturehousesubcommitteeCommittee on Agriculture
Open Source IntelligencehousesubcommitteePermanent Select Committee on Intelligence
OversighthousesubcommitteeCommittee on the Judiciary
OversighthousesubcommitteeCommittee on Ways and Means
Oversight and IntelligencehousesubcommitteeCommittee on Foreign Affairs
Oversight and InvestigationshousesubcommitteeCommittee on Financial Services
Oversight and InvestigationshousesubcommitteeCommittee on Energy and Commerce
Oversight and InvestigationshousesubcommitteeCommittee on Natural Resources
Oversight and InvestigationshousesubcommitteeCommittee on Veterans' Affairs
Oversight and InvestigationshousesubcommitteePermanent Select Committee on Intelligence
Oversight, Investigations, and AccountabilityhousesubcommitteeCommittee on Homeland Security
Oversight, Investigations, and RegulationshousesubcommitteeCommittee on Small Business
Permanent Select Committee on IntelligencehouseselectTop-level body
Permanent Subcommittee on InvestigationssenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous MaterialshousesubcommitteeCommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure
ReadinesshousesubcommitteeCommittee on Armed Services
Research and TechnologyhousesubcommitteeCommittee on Science, Space, and Technology
Rules and Organization of the HousehousesubcommitteeCommittee on Rules
Rural Development, Energy, and Supply ChainshousesubcommitteeCommittee on Small Business
Seapower and Projection ForceshousesubcommitteeCommittee on Armed Services
Select Committee on EthicssenateselectTop-level body
Select Committee on IntelligencesenateselectTop-level body
Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist PartyhouseselectTop-level body
Select Subcommittee to Investigate the Remaining Questions Surrounding January 6, 2021houseselectTop-level body
Social SecurityhousesubcommitteeCommittee on Ways and Means
South and Central AsiahousesubcommitteeCommittee on Foreign Affairs
Space and AeronauticshousesubcommitteeCommittee on Science, Space, and Technology
Special Committee on AgingsenatespecialTop-level body
Strategic ForceshousesubcommitteeCommittee on Armed Services
Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health PolicysenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Foreign Relations
Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related AgenciessenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Appropriations
Subcommittee on AirlandsenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Armed Services
Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer RightssenatesubcommitteeCommittee on the Judiciary
Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and InnovationsenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Subcommittee on Border Management, Federal Workforce, and Regulatory AffairssenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Subcommittee on Border Security and ImmigrationsenatesubcommitteeCommittee on the Judiciary
Subcommittee on Chemical Safety, Waste Management, Environmental Justice, and Regulatory OversightsenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Environment and Public Works
Subcommittee on Clean Air, Climate, and Nuclear Innovation and SafetysenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Environment and Public Works
Subcommittee on Coast Guard, Maritime, and FisheriessenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related AgenciessenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Appropriations
Subcommittee on Commodities, Derivatives, Risk Management, and TradesenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry, Natural Resources, and BiotechnologysenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Technology, and Data PrivacysenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Subcommittee on Crime and CounterterrorismsenatesubcommitteeCommittee on the Judiciary
Subcommittee on CybersecuritysenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Armed Services
Subcommittee on Department of DefensesenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Appropriations
Subcommittee on Department of Homeland SecuritysenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Appropriations
Subcommittee on Department of Interior, Environment, and Related AgenciessenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Appropriations
Subcommittee on Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related AgenciessenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Appropriations
Subcommittee on Digital AssetssenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Subcommittee on Disaster Management, District of Columbia, and CensussenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity PolicysenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Foreign Relations
Subcommittee on Economic PolicysenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Subcommittee on Education and the American FamilysenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and CapabilitiessenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Armed Services
Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace SafetysenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Subcommittee on EnergysenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Energy and Natural Resources
Subcommittee on Energy and Water DevelopmentsenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Appropriations
Subcommittee on Energy, Natural Resources, and InfrastructuresenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Finance
Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security CooperationsenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Foreign Relations
Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal RightssenatesubcommitteeCommittee on the Judiciary
Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer ProtectionsenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Subcommittee on Financial Services and General GovernmentsenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Appropriations
Subcommittee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic GrowthsenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Finance
Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and WildlifesenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Environment and Public Works
Subcommittee on Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics, and ResearchsenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
Subcommittee on Health CaresenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Finance
Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community DevelopmentsenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Subcommittee on Intellectual PropertysenatesubcommitteeCommittee on the Judiciary
Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs, and Global CompetitivenesssenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Finance
Subcommittee on Legislative BranchsenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Appropriations
Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, Poultry, and Food SafetysenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related AgenciessenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Appropriations
Subcommittee on Multilateral International Development, Multilateral Institutions, and International Economic, Energy, and Environmental PolicysenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Foreign Relations
Subcommittee on National ParkssenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Energy and Natural Resources
Subcommittee on National Security and International Trade and FinancesenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and CounterterrorismsenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Foreign Relations
Subcommittee on PersonnelsenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Armed Services
Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement SecuritysenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the LawsenatesubcommitteeCommittee on the Judiciary
Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and MiningsenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Energy and Natural Resources
Subcommittee on Readiness and Management SupportsenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Armed Services
Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and CreditsenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
Subcommittee on Science, Manufacturing, and CompetitivenesssenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Subcommittee on SeapowersenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Armed Services
Subcommittee on Securities, Insurance, and InvestmentsenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Subcommittee on Social Security, Pensions, and Family PolicysenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Finance
Subcommittee on State Department and USAID Management, International Operations, and Bilateral International DevelopmentsenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Foreign Relations
Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related ProgramssenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Appropriations
Subcommittee on Strategic ForcessenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Armed Services
Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Freight, Pipelines, and SafetysenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Subcommittee on Taxation and IRS OversightsenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Finance
Subcommittee on Telecommunications and MediasenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Subcommittee on the ConstitutionsenatesubcommitteeCommittee on the Judiciary
Subcommittee on Transportation and InfrastructuresenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Environment and Public Works
Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related AgenciessenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Appropriations
Subcommittee on Water and PowersenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Energy and Natural Resources
Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's IssuessenatesubcommitteeCommittee on Foreign Relations
Tactical Air and Land ForceshousesubcommitteeCommittee on Armed Services
TaxhousesubcommitteeCommittee on Ways and Means
Technology ModernizationhousesubcommitteeCommittee on Veterans' Affairs
The Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and AntitrusthousesubcommitteeCommittee on the Judiciary
The Constitution and Limited GovernmenthousesubcommitteeCommittee on the Judiciary
TradehousesubcommitteeCommittee on Ways and Means
Transportation and Maritime SecurityhousesubcommitteeCommittee on Homeland Security
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related AgencieshousesubcommitteeCommittee on Appropriations
United States Senate Caucus on International Narcotics ControlsenatecaucusTop-level body
Water Resources and EnvironmenthousesubcommitteeCommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure
Water, Wildlife and FisherieshousesubcommitteeCommittee on Natural Resources
Western HemispherehousesubcommitteeCommittee on Foreign Affairs
Work and WelfarehousesubcommitteeCommittee on Ways and Means
Workforce ProtectionshousesubcommitteeCommittee on Education and Workforce
Learn from the beginning.

Structure → process → policies → people. Explanations for learning and research, with no prior knowledge assumed.

Bipartisan. Independent. No political affiliation.
Our purpose & approach → Plain-language glossary →