The Senate Appropriations Committee, the largest committee in the Senate, writes the legislation that allocates federal funds to the numerous government agencies, departments, and organizations on an annual basis. Senator Daniel K. Inouye is chairman of the committee.
The Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee deals with legislation on multiple topics, including banks and financial institutions, public and private housing, urban development and urban mass transit and the renegotiation of Government contracts. Senator Johnson is the committee chairman.
The committee oversees issues dealing with energy resources and development, including regulation, conservation, strategic petroleum reserves and appliance standards; nuclear energy; Indian affairs; public lands and their renewable resources; surface mining, Federal coal, oil, and gas, other mineral leasing; territories and insular possessions; and water resources. Currently, Senator Jeff Bingaman chairs the committee.
The Indian Affairs Committee deals with issues pertaining to the nation's Native American population. Senator Daniel Akaka chairs the committee.