United States Senate Committee on Armed Services

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The Committee on Armed Services is a committee of the United States Senate responsible for parliamentary oversight of the US Department of Defense , military research and development, nuclear energy (insofar as it relates to US security), possible conscription, and other military matters The United States is competent to act.

The committee was created as a result of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 after the US victory in World War II . It combines the responsibilities of the former Senate Naval Affairs Committee (which was specifically intended for the Navy ) and the Senate Military Affairs Committee , both of which were established in 1816.

It is considered one of the more powerful committees of the second chamber of the US Congress and, especially during the Cold War, passed far-reaching laws such as the National Security Act of 1947.

Members of the 114th Congress

John McCain with his predecessor Carl Levin and longtime committee member Joe Lieberman (from right) during a committee meeting.

From January 2015 until his death in August 2018, the committee was chaired by the Republican John McCain from Arizona , and Ranking Minority Member is the Democrat Jack Reed from Rhode Island . James Inhofe (* 1934) is to be McCain's successor.

republican

Surname Country
vacant
Jim Inhofe Oklahoma
Jeff Sessions Alabama
Roger Wicker Mississippi
Kelly Ayotte New Hampshire
Deb Fischer Nebraska
Tom Cotton Arkansas
Mike Rounds South Dakota
Joni Ernst Iowa
Thom Tillis North Carolina
Dan Sullivan Alaska
Mike Lee Utah
Lindsey Graham South carolina
Ted Cruz Texas

Democrats

Surname Country
Jack Reed ( Ranking Minority Member ) Rhode Island
Bill Nelson Florida
Claire McCaskill Missouri
Joe Manchin West Virginia
Jeanne Shaheen New Hampshire
Kirsten Gillibrand new York
Richard Blumenthal Connecticut
Joe Donnelly Indiana
Mazie Hirono Hawaii
Tim Kaine Virginia
Angus King (independent) Maine
Martin Heinrich New Mexico

Subcommittees

The committee has six subcommittees, each currently led by a Republican. None of them may be the chairman of the full committee. In addition, each subcommittee has a democratic opposition leader.

Subcommittee on Airland

The committee is responsible for all matters relating to the Army , Air Force , Navy and Marine Corps . This excludes strategic issues relating to the armed forces and air transport, as well as extraordinary operations. The committee also oversees the National Guard and the Army and Air Force reserve forces . Chairman is Tom Cotton (R-AR), opposition leader Joe Manchin (R-MS).

Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities

Established in 1999, the committee focuses on emerging threats such as terrorism , weapons of mass destruction , illegal drugs, and other threats. The chair is Deb Fischer (R-NE), opposition leader Bill Nelson [obsolete] (D-FL).

Subcommittee on Personnel

The committee deals with the staff, both active and reserve. This includes payments, training, and military justice . Chairman is Lindsey Graham (R-SC), opposition leader Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY).

Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support

The committee deals with military readiness, logistics , environmental issues , the business operations of the US military , its financial assets, building maintenance and construction, as well as the closure of military bases, the US military's retirement homes, depots and shipyards. The chairman is Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), opposition leader Tim Kaine (D-VA).

Subcommittee on Seapower

The committee is responsible for the Marine Corps, Navy and their reserve forces. The chairman is Roger Wicker (R-MS), opposition leader Mazie Hirono (D-HI).

Subcommittee on Strategic Forces

The committee deals with armed forces, nuclear weapons , national defense and nuclear deterrence , space programs and missile defense . Chairman is Jeff Sessions (R-AL), opposition leader Joe Donnelly (D-IN).

Former Chair

Chair of the Senate Committee on Military Affairs, 1816–1947

Chair of the Senate Committee on Naval Affairs, 1816–1947

Chair of the Senate Committee on Armed Services since 1947

Carl Levin (left) and John Warner (right) took turns chairing the committee several times since 1999.

Web links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ ft.com: McCain's death sparks mourning across political divide