The Armed Services Committee in the United States Senate plays a crucial role in overseeing the nation’s military and defense policies. This committee is responsible for a broad range of issues, from the budget and procurement of the Department of Defense to military personnel policies and national security strategy. Understanding its structure, members, and subcommittees is key to grasping how the U.S. military operates and is governed.
The Senate Armed Services Committee: Composition and Leadership
As of the current composition, the Senate Armed Services Committee comprises 27 members. The composition reflects the partisan balance of the Senate, with a majority and minority allocation of seats. The leadership of the committee is divided between a Chairman, from the majority party, and a Ranking Member, from the minority party. These roles are critical in setting the committee’s agenda and guiding its legislative efforts.
Currently, the committee is led by:
- Chairman: Roger F. Wicker (MS)
- Ranking Member: Jack Reed (RI)
The full list of members is as follows:
Majority Members:
- Roger F. Wicker (MS), Chairman
- Deb Fischer (NE)
- Tom Cotton (AR)
- Mike Rounds (SD)
- Joni Ernst (IA)
- Dan Sullivan (AK)
- Kevin Cramer (ND)
- Rick Scott (FL)
- Tommy Tuberville (AL)
- Markwayne Mullin (OK)
- Ted Budd (NC)
- Eric Schmitt (MO)
- Jim Banks (IN)
- Tim Sheehy (MT)
Minority Members:
- Jack Reed (RI), Ranking Member
- Jeanne Shaheen (NH)
- Kirsten E. Gillibrand (NY)
- Richard Blumenthal (CT)
- Mazie K. Hirono (HI)
- Tim Kaine (VA)
- Angus S. King (ME)
- Elizabeth Warren (MA)
- Gary C. Peters (MI)
- Tammy Duckworth (IL)
- Jacky Rosen (NV)
- Mark Kelly (AZ)
- Elissa Slotkin (MI)
Subcommittees of the Armed Services Committee
To manage its extensive jurisdiction, the Armed Services Committee operates through several subcommittees, each focusing on specific areas of defense policy and military operations. These subcommittees conduct detailed oversight and develop legislation within their respective domains. Currently, there are seven subcommittees:
Subcommittee on Airland
This subcommittee focuses on matters related to Army and Air Force programs, including aircraft, missiles, and other ground and air-based systems.
- Chairman: Kevin Cramer (ND)
- Ranking Member: Mark Kelly (AZ)
Members:
- Majority: Kevin Cramer (ND), Deb Fischer (NE), Tom Cotton (AR), Dan Sullivan (AK), Markwayne Mullin (OK), Ted Budd (NC), Eric Schmitt (MO), Roger F. Wicker (MS), Ex Officio
- Minority: Mark Kelly (AZ), Richard Blumenthal (CT), Angus S. King (ME), Gary C. Peters (MI), Tammy Duckworth (IL), Elissa Slotkin (MI), Jack Reed (RI), Ex Officio
Subcommittee on Cybersecurity
Given the increasing importance of digital warfare and defense, the Cybersecurity Subcommittee oversees cyber policy, strategy, and operations within the Department of Defense.
- Chairman: Mike Rounds (SD)
- Ranking Member: Jacky Rosen (NV)
Members:
- Majority: Mike Rounds (SD), Tom Cotton (AR), Joni Ernst (IA), Ted Budd (NC), Eric Schmitt (MO), Roger F. Wicker (MS), Ex Officio
- Minority: Jacky Rosen (NV), Kirsten E. Gillibrand (NY), Gary C. Peters (MI), Elissa Slotkin (MI), Jack Reed (RI), Ex Officio
Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities
This subcommittee addresses future challenges and opportunities in defense, including emerging technologies, special operations forces, and counter-terrorism efforts.
- Chairman: Joni Ernst (IA)
- Ranking Member: Elissa Slotkin (MI)
Members:
- Majority: Joni Ernst (IA), Tom Cotton (AR), Mike Rounds (SD), Kevin Cramer (ND), Markwayne Mullin (OK), Ted Budd (NC), Eric Schmitt (MO), Tim Sheehy (MT), Roger F. Wicker (MS), Ex Officio
- Minority: Elissa Slotkin (MI), Jeanne Shaheen (NH), Kirsten E. Gillibrand (NY), Tim Kaine (VA), Gary C. Peters (MI), Jacky Rosen (NV), Mark Kelly (AZ), Jack Reed (RI), Ex Officio
Subcommittee on Personnel
The Personnel Subcommittee is concerned with military personnel policies, healthcare, education, and issues affecting service members and their families.
- Chairman: Tommy Tuberville (AL)
- Ranking Member: Elizabeth Warren (MA)
Members:
- Majority: Tommy Tuberville (AL), Joni Ernst (IA), Rick Scott (FL), Ted Budd (NC), Jim Banks (IN), Roger F. Wicker (MS), Ex Officio
- Minority: Elizabeth Warren (MA), Richard Blumenthal (CT), Mazie K. Hirono (HI), Tammy Duckworth (IL), Jack Reed (RI), Ex Officio
Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support
This subcommittee focuses on military readiness, logistics, maintenance, military installations, and overall management support functions within the Department of Defense.
- Chairman: Dan Sullivan (AK)
- Ranking Member: Mazie K. Hirono (HI)
Members:
- Majority: Dan Sullivan (AK), Deb Fischer (NE), Kevin Cramer (ND), Rick Scott (FL), Eric Schmitt (MO), Tim Sheehy (MT), Roger F. Wicker (MS), Ex Officio
- Minority: Mazie K. Hirono (HI), Jeanne Shaheen (NH), Tim Kaine (VA), Elizabeth Warren (MA), Tammy Duckworth (IL), Jack Reed (RI), Ex Officio
Subcommittee on Seapower
The Seapower Subcommittee oversees naval forces and maritime issues, including shipbuilding, naval aviation, and the Marine Corps.
- Chairman: Rick Scott (FL)
- Ranking Member: Tim Kaine (VA)
Members:
- Majority: Rick Scott (FL), Dan Sullivan (AK), Tommy Tuberville (AL), Markwayne Mullin (OK), Jim Banks (IN), Tim Sheehy (MT), Roger F. Wicker (MS), Ex Officio
- Minority: Tim Kaine (VA), Jeanne Shaheen (NH), Richard Blumenthal (CT), Mazie K. Hirono (HI), Angus S. King (ME), Jack Reed (RI), Ex Officio
Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
This subcommittee has jurisdiction over strategic forces, including nuclear weapons, missile defense, and space policy.
- Chairman: Deb Fischer (NE)
- Ranking Member: Angus S. King (ME)
Members:
- Majority: Deb Fischer (NE), Tom Cotton (AR), Mike Rounds (SD), Kevin Cramer (ND), Tommy Tuberville (AL), Jim Banks (IN), Roger F. Wicker (MS), Ex Officio
- Minority: Angus S. King (ME), Kirsten E. Gillibrand (NY), Elizabeth Warren (MA), Jacky Rosen (NV), Mark Kelly (AZ), Jack Reed (RI), Ex Officio
Conclusion
The Senate Armed Services Committee and its subcommittees are vital components of the U.S. government, playing a central role in shaping national defense policy and overseeing the military. By understanding the structure and membership of this committee, individuals can gain valuable insights into the legislative processes that govern the American armed forces. For more detailed information, you can visit the official website of the committee.
