The Committee on Armed Services , sometimes abbreviated SASC for Senate Armed Services Committee , is a committee of the United States Senate empowered with legislative oversight of the nation's military , including the Department of Defense , military research and development , nuclear energy (as pertaining to national security ), benefits for members of the military, the Selective Service System and other matters related to defense policy. The Armed Services Committee was created as a result of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 following the U.S. victory in World War II . The bill merged the responsibilities of the Committee on Naval Affairs , established in 1816, and the Committee on Military Affairs , also established in 1816.
Chairman Carl Levin (D-MI) and Ranking Member John Warner (R-VA) listen to Admiral Mike Mullen 's confirmation hearing before the Armed Services Committee to become Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in July 2007; the Armed Services Committee is charged with overseeing the U.S. Senate 's confirmation hearings for senior U.S. military . Armed Services Committee senators Joe Lieberman , Carl Levin (chair), and John McCain listen to Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus deliver his opening remarks for the fiscal year 2010 budget request in June 2009. The committee's Don't Ask, Don't Tell hearing on December 2, 2010; U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates greets Ranking member, John McCain . The Committee on Armed Services' hearing on sexual assault in the military on June 4, 2013 Considered one of the most powerful Senate committees, its broad mandate allowed it to report some of the most extensive and revolutionary legislation during the Cold War years, including the National Security Act of 1947 . The committee tends to take a more bipartisan approach than other committees, as many of its members formerly served in the military or have major defense interests located in the states they come from.[ 1] National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which has been passed by Congress and signed into law annually since 1962.[ 2]
The current chair is Democrat Jack Reed of Rhode Island, and the Ranking Member is Republican Roger Wicker of Mississippi (2023).
According to the Standing Rules of the United States Senate , all proposed legislation, messages, petitions, memorials, and other matters relating to the following subjects are referred to the Armed Services Committee:[ 3]
Aeronautical and space activities pertaining to or primarily associated with the development of weapons systems or military operations.
Common defense.
Department of Defense, the Department of the Army , the Department of the Navy , and the Department of the Air Force , generally.
Maintenance and operation of the Panama Canal, including administration, sanitation, and government of the Canal Zone.
Military research and development.
National security aspects of nuclear energy.
Naval petroleum reserves, except those in Alaska.
Pay, promotion, retirement, and other benefits and privileges of members of the Armed Forces, including overseas education of civilian and military dependents.
Selective service system.
Strategic and critical materials necessary for the common defense.
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Majority[ 4]
Minority[ 5]
Jack Reed , Rhode Island, Chair Jeanne Shaheen , New HampshireKirsten Gillibrand , New YorkRichard Blumenthal , ConnecticutMazie Hirono , HawaiiTim Kaine , VirginiaAngus King , Maine[ 6] Elizabeth Warren , MassachusettsGary Peters , MichiganJoe Manchin , West Virginia [ 6] Tammy Duckworth , IllinoisJacky Rosen , NevadaMark Kelly , Arizona
Roger Wicker , Mississippi, Ranking Member Deb Fischer , NebraskaTom Cotton , ArkansasMike Rounds , South DakotaJoni Ernst , IowaDan Sullivan , AlaskaKevin Cramer , North DakotaRick Scott , FloridaTommy Tuberville , AlabamaMarkwayne Mullin , OklahomaTed Budd , North CarolinaEric Schmitt , Missouri
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Historical committee rosters
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Majority
Minority
Carl Levin , Michigan, Chair Joseph Lieberman , Connecticut[ 6] Jack Reed , Rhode IslandDaniel Akaka , HawaiiBill Nelson , FloridaBen Nelson , NebraskaEvan Bayh , IndianaJim Webb , VirginiaClaire McCaskill , MissouriMark Udall , ColoradoKay Hagan , North CarolinaMark Begich , AlaskaRoland Burris , Illinois, until November 2010Jeff Bingaman , New MexicoTed Kaufman , Delaware, until November 2010Carte Goodwin , West Virginia, until November 2010Joe Manchin , West Virginia, from November 2010Chris Coons , Delaware, from November 2010
John McCain , Arizona, Ranking Member James Inhofe , OklahomaJeff Sessions , AlabamaSaxby Chambliss , GeorgiaLindsey Graham , South CarolinaJohn Thune , South DakotaRoger Wicker , MississippiGeorge LeMieux , FloridaScott Brown , MassachusettsRichard Burr , North CarolinaDavid Vitter , LouisianaSusan Collins , Maine
Source: 2010 Congressional Record , S6226
Subcommittees
Majority
Minority
Carl Levin , Michigan, Chair Joseph Lieberman , Connecticut[ 6] Jack Reed , Rhode IslandDaniel Akaka , HawaiiBen Nelson , NebraskaJim Webb , VirginiaClaire McCaskill , MissouriMark Udall , ColoradoKay Hagan , North CarolinaMark Begich , AlaskaJoe Manchin , West VirginiaJeanne Shaheen , New HampshireKirsten Gillibrand , New YorkRichard Blumenthal , Connecticut
John McCain , Arizona, Ranking Member James Inhofe , OklahomaJeff Sessions , AlabamaSaxby Chambliss , GeorgiaRoger Wicker , MississippiScott Brown , MassachusettsRob Portman , OhioKelly Ayotte , New HampshireSusan Collins , MaineLindsey Graham , South CarolinaJohn Cornyn , TexasDavid Vitter , Louisiana
Source: 2011 Congressional Record , S557
Subcommittees
Majority
Minority
Carl Levin , Michigan, Chair Jack Reed , Rhode IslandBill Nelson , FloridaClaire McCaskill , MissouriMark Udall , ColoradoKay Hagan , North CarolinaJoe Manchin , West VirginiaJeanne Shaheen , New HampshireKirsten Gillibrand , New YorkRichard Blumenthal , ConnecticutJoe Donnelly , IndianaMazie Hirono , HawaiiTim Kaine , VirginiaAngus King , Maine[ 6]
James Inhofe , Oklahoma, Ranking Member John McCain , ArizonaJeff Sessions , AlabamaSaxby Chambliss , GeorgiaRoger Wicker , MississippiKelly Ayotte , New HampshireDeb Fischer , NebraskaLindsey Graham , South CarolinaDavid Vitter , LouisianaRoy Blunt , MissouriMike Lee , UtahTed Cruz , Texas
Source: 2013 Congressional Record , S296
Subcommittees
Majority
Minority
John McCain , Arizona, Chairman Jim Inhofe , OklahomaJeff Sessions , AlabamaRoger Wicker , MississippiKelly Ayotte , New HampshireDeb Fischer , NebraskaTom Cotton , ArkansasMike Rounds , South DakotaJoni Ernst , IowaThom Tillis , North CarolinaDan Sullivan , AlaskaMike Lee , UtahLindsey Graham , South CarolinaTed Cruz , Texas
Jack Reed , Rhode Island, Ranking Member Bill Nelson , FloridaClaire McCaskill , MissouriJoe Manchin , West VirginiaJeanne Shaheen , New HampshireKirsten Gillibrand , New YorkRichard Blumenthal , ConnecticutJoe Donnelly , IndianaMazie Hirono , HawaiiTim Kaine , VirginiaAngus King , Maine[ 6] Martin Heinrich , New Mexico
Majority
Minority
Jim Inhofe , Oklahoma, Chairman (from September 6, 2018)John McCain , Arizona, Chairman (until August 25, 2018)Roger Wicker , MississippiDeb Fischer , NebraskaTom Cotton , ArkansasMike Rounds , South DakotaJoni Ernst , IowaThom Tillis , North CarolinaDan Sullivan , AlaskaDavid Perdue , GeorgiaTed Cruz , TexasLindsey Graham , South CarolinaBen Sasse , NebraskaTim Scott , South CarolinaJon Kyl , Arizona (from September 6, 2018)
Jack Reed , Rhode Island, Ranking Member Bill Nelson , FloridaClaire McCaskill , MissouriJeanne Shaheen , New HampshireKirsten Gillibrand , New YorkRichard Blumenthal , ConnecticutJoe Donnelly , IndianaMazie Hirono , HawaiiTim Kaine , VirginiaAngus King , Maine[ 6] Martin Heinrich , New MexicoElizabeth Warren , MassachusettsGary Peters , Michigan
Majority
Minority
Jim Inhofe , Oklahoma, Chairman Roger Wicker , MississippiDeb Fischer , NebraskaTom Cotton , ArkansasMike Rounds , South DakotaJoni Ernst , IowaThom Tillis , North CarolinaDan Sullivan , AlaskaDavid Perdue , GeorgiaKevin Cramer , North DakotaMartha McSally , Arizona (until December 2, 2020)Rick Scott , FloridaMarsha Blackburn , TennesseeJosh Hawley , Missouri
Jack Reed , Rhode Island, Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen , New HampshireKirsten Gillibrand , New YorkRichard Blumenthal , ConnecticutMazie Hirono , HawaiiTim Kaine , VirginiaAngus King , Maine[ 6] Martin Heinrich , New MexicoElizabeth Warren , MassachusettsGary Peters , MichiganJoe Manchin , West VirginiaTammy Duckworth , IllinoisDoug Jones , Alabama
Majority
Minority
Jack Reed , Rhode Island, Chair Jeanne Shaheen , New HampshireKirsten Gillibrand , New YorkRichard Blumenthal , ConnecticutMazie Hirono , HawaiiTim Kaine , VirginiaAngus King , Maine[ 6] Elizabeth Warren , MassachusettsGary Peters , MichiganJoe Manchin , West VirginiaTammy Duckworth , IllinoisJacky Rosen , NevadaMark Kelly , Arizona
Jim Inhofe , Oklahoma, Ranking Member Roger Wicker , MississippiDeb Fischer , NebraskaTom Cotton , ArkansasMike Rounds , South DakotaJoni Ernst , IowaThom Tillis , North CarolinaDan Sullivan , AlaskaKevin Cramer , North DakotaRick Scott , FloridaMarsha Blackburn , TennesseeJosh Hawley , MissouriTommy Tuberville , Alabama
Source:[ 12]
^ Steinhauer, Jennifer. "With Chairmanship, McCain Seizes Chance to Reshape Pentagon Agenda" , The New York Times
^ "History of the NDAA" . February 3, 2017.^ Rule XXV: Committees, Standing Rules of the United States Senate.
^ S.Res. 30 (118th Congress)^ S.Res. 31 (118th Congress)^ a b c d e f g h i Independent Senator caucusing with Democrats
^ a b "Senate Armed Services Committee - Subcommittees, 118th Congress" . Senate Armed Services Committee . Retrieved March 17, 2023 .^ Died August 8, 1913.
^ At the beginning of the 107th Congress in January 2001 the Senate was evenly divided. With a Democratic
president and vice president still serving until January 20, the Democratic vice president was available to break a tie,
and the Democrats thus controlled the Senate for 17 days, from January 3 to January 20. On January 3 the Senate
adopted S. Res. 7 designating Democratic senators as committee chairmen to serve during this period and
Republican chairmen to serve effective at noon on January 20, 2001.
^ On June 6, 2001, the Democrats took control of the Senate after Senator James Jeffords (VT) changed from the
Republican Party to Independent and announced that he would caucus with the Democrats.
^ Died August 25, 2018.
^ "U.S. Senate: Committee on Armed Services" . Senate.gov . Retrieved January 7, 2017 .
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