Armed Services
The committee has legislative oversight of the Departments of Defense, Army, Navy, and Air Force. It also oversees military research and development, national security aspects of nuclear energy, the selective service, and all employment benefits for the Armed Forces. Senator Bayh chairs the the Readiness and Management Support subcommittee and serves on the Airland and Emerging Threats and Capabilities subcommittees.
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
The committee has legislative oversight for banking and financial institutions and monetary policy, including the Federal Reserve. It also investigates international economic policy as it affects the United States in these areas. Additionally, the committee oversees nursing home construction, public and private housing (including veterans housing), urban development, and urban mass transit. Senator Bayh chairs the Security and International Trade and Finance subcommittee and serves on the Financial Institutions and Securities, Insurance and Investment subcommittees.
Energy & Natural Resources
The Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources oversees the Department of Energy and is responsible for crafting the United States' energy policy, determining how to effectively utilize the nation's abundant coal, renewable and nuclear energy resources. The committee also oversees the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of the Interior, which is responsible for the National Park System. Senator Bayh serves on the Energy, National Parks and Water and Power subcommittees.
Small Business and Entrepreneurship
The committee has legislative oversight for all matters concerning the Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA was established to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. Its obligation is to help Americans start, build, and grow businesses.
Select Committee on Intelligence
The committee has legislative and budgetary oversight for all matters concerning the United States intelligence community and their activities. The agencies under the committee’s purview include the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency and other intelligence-gathering divisions of federal agencies.
Special Committee on Aging
The Special Committee on Aging exists to inform the Senate debate on matters relating to older Americans. Though the committee does not have legislative authority, it submits legislative findings and recommendations to the full Senate and publishes materials to help public policy makers on issues relating to the elderly. The Committee regularly conducts reviews of Medicare’s performance and assists in congressional oversight of programs like Social Security and the Older Americans Act.
About the Senate Committee System
History of Senate Committees