United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary Standing committee of the U.S. Senate
Senate Judiciary Committee Standing committee Formed December 10, 1816 Chair Dick Durbin (D ) Ranking member Lindsey Graham (R ) Seats 21 members Political parties Majority (11)
Minority (10)
Policy areas Federal judiciary , civil procedure , criminal procedure , civil liberties , copyrights , patents , trademarks , naturalization , constitutional amendments , congressional apportionment , state and territorial boundary lines Oversight authority Department of Justice , Department of Homeland Security , federal judicial nominations House counterpart House Committee on the Judiciary 226 Dirksen Senate Office Building , Washington, D.C. judiciary.senate.gov
Sonia Sotomayor testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee on her nomination for the United States Supreme Court The United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary , informally known as the Senate Judiciary Committee , is a standing committee of 21 U.S. senators [ 1] Department of Justice (DOJ), consider executive and judicial nominations, and review pending legislation.[ 2] [ 3]
In addition, the Standing Rules of the Senate confer jurisdiction to the Senate Judiciary Committee in certain areas, such as considering proposed constitutional amendments and legislation related to federal criminal law , human rights law , immigration , intellectual property , antitrust law , and internet privacy .[ 2] [ 4]
History
Established in 1816 as one of the original standing committees in the United States Senate, the Senate Committee on the Judiciary is one of the oldest and most influential committees in Congress. Its broad legislative jurisdiction has assured its primary role as a forum for the public discussion of social and constitutional issues. The committee is also responsible for oversight of key activities of the executive branch, and is responsible for the initial stages of the confirmation process of all judicial nominations for the federal judiciary.[ 5]
Nominations
The committee considers presidential nominations for positions in the DOJ, the Office of National Drug Control Policy , the State Justice Institute , and certain positions in the Department of Commerce and DHS. It is also in charge of holding hearings and investigating judicial nominations to the Supreme Court , the U.S. court of appeals , the U.S. district courts , and the Court of International Trade .[ 2]
If a majority on the committee votes to advance a nomination, the nominee is reported favorably to the whole Senate, which can vote by simple majority to confirm the nominee.[ 6]
Oversight
The Judiciary Committee's oversight of the DOJ includes all of the agencies under the DOJ's jurisdiction, such as the FBI . It also has oversight of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
(January 3, 2023 – January 3, 2025)
Majority[ 7]
Minority[ 8]
Dick Durbin , Illinois, Chairman Dianne Feinstein , California (until September 29, 2023)Sheldon Whitehouse , Rhode IslandAmy Klobuchar , MinnesotaChris Coons , DelawareRichard Blumenthal , ConnecticutMazie Hirono , HawaiiCory Booker , New JerseyAlex Padilla , CaliforniaJon Ossoff , GeorgiaPeter Welch , VermontLaphonza Butler , California (from October 17, 2023)[ 9]
Lindsey Graham , South Carolina, Ranking Member Chuck Grassley , IowaJohn Cornyn , TexasMike Lee , UtahTed Cruz , TexasJosh Hawley , MissouriTom Cotton , ArkansasJohn Kennedy , LouisianaThom Tillis , North CarolinaMarsha Blackburn , Tennessee
Dick Durbin , Democratic senator from Illinois, is the current chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Subcommittees
Chairs since 1816
Historical committee rosters
117th Congress
(January 3, 2021 – January 3, 2023)
Majority[ 12]
Minority
Dick Durbin , Illinois, Chairman Patrick Leahy , VermontDianne Feinstein , CaliforniaSheldon Whitehouse , Rhode IslandAmy Klobuchar , MinnesotaChris Coons , DelawareRichard Blumenthal , ConnecticutMazie Hirono , HawaiiCory Booker , New JerseyAlex Padilla , CaliforniaJon Ossoff , Georgia
Chuck Grassley , Iowa, Ranking Member Lindsey Graham , South CarolinaJohn Cornyn , TexasMike Lee , UtahTed Cruz , TexasBen Sasse , NebraskaJosh Hawley , MissouriTom Cotton , ArkansasJohn Kennedy , LouisianaThom Tillis , North CarolinaMarsha Blackburn , Tennessee
Subcommittees
116th Congress
(January 3, 2019 – January 3, 2021)
Majority
Minority
Lindsey Graham , South Carolina, Chair Chuck Grassley , IowaJohn Cornyn , TexasMike Lee , UtahTed Cruz , TexasBen Sasse , NebraskaJosh Hawley , MissouriThom Tillis , North CarolinaJoni Ernst , IowaMike Crapo , IdahoJohn Kennedy , LouisianaMarsha Blackburn , Tennessee[ 13]
Dianne Feinstein , California, Ranking Member Patrick Leahy , VermontDick Durbin , IllinoisSheldon Whitehouse , Rhode IslandAmy Klobuchar , MinnesotaChris Coons , DelawareRichard Blumenthal , ConnecticutMazie Hirono , HawaiiCory Booker , New JerseyKamala Harris , California
Subcommittees
115th Congress
(January 3, 2017 – January 3, 2019) [ 14] [ 15]
Majority
Minority
Chuck Grassley , Iowa, Chair Orrin Hatch , UtahLindsey Graham , South CarolinaJohn Cornyn , TexasMike Lee , UtahTed Cruz , TexasBen Sasse , NebraskaJeff Flake , ArizonaMike Crapo , IdahoThom Tillis , North CarolinaJohn Kennedy , Louisiana
Dianne Feinstein , California, Ranking Member Patrick Leahy , VermontDick Durbin , IllinoisSheldon Whitehouse , Rhode IslandAmy Klobuchar , MinnesotaChris Coons , DelawareRichard Blumenthal , ConnecticutMazie Hirono , HawaiiCory Booker , New Jersey (from January 9, 2018)Kamala Harris , California (from January 9, 2018)Al Franken , Minnesota (until January 2, 2018)
In January 2018, the Democratic minority had their number of seats increase from 9 to 10 upon the election of Doug Jones (D-AL), changing the 52–48 Republican majority to 51–49. On January 2, 2018, Al Franken , who had been a member of the committee, resigned from the Senate following accusations of sexual misconduct.
Subcommittees
Subcommittee
Chair
Ranking member
Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights
Mike Lee (R-UT)
Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Border Security and Immigration
John Cornyn (R-TX)
Dick Durbin (D-IL)
Crime and Terrorism
Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
Oversight, Agency Action, Federal Rights and Federal Courts
Ben Sasse (R-NE)
Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) (from January 9, 2018)Chris Coons (D-DE) (until January 9, 2018)
Privacy, Technology and the Law
Jeff Flake (R-AZ)
Chris Coons (D-DE) (from January 9, 2018)Al Franken (D-MN) (until January 2, 2018)
The Constitution
Ted Cruz (R-TX)
Mazie Hirono (D-HI) (from January 9, 2018)Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) (until January 9, 2018)
114th Congress
(January 3, 2015 – January 3, 2017) [ 16]
Majority
Minority
Chuck Grassley , Iowa, Chairman Orrin Hatch , UtahJeff Sessions , AlabamaLindsey Graham , South CarolinaJohn Cornyn , TexasMike Lee , UtahTed Cruz , TexasJeff Flake , ArizonaDavid Vitter , LouisianaDavid Perdue , GeorgiaThom Tillis , North Carolina
Patrick Leahy , Vermont, Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein , CaliforniaChuck Schumer , New YorkDick Durbin , IllinoisSheldon Whitehouse , Rhode IslandAmy Klobuchar , MinnesotaAl Franken , MinnesotaChris Coons , DelawareRichard Blumenthal , Connecticut
Subcommittees
113th Congress
(January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2015) [ 17]
Majority
Minority
Patrick Leahy , Vermont, Chairman Dianne Feinstein , CaliforniaChuck Schumer , New YorkDick Durbin , IllinoisSheldon Whitehouse , Rhode IslandAmy Klobuchar , MinnesotaAl Franken , MinnesotaChris Coons , DelawareRichard Blumenthal , ConnecticutMazie Hirono , Hawaii
Subcommittees
112th Congress
(January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2013) [ 18]
Majority
Minority
Patrick Leahy , Vermont, Chairman Herb Kohl , WisconsinDianne Feinstein , CaliforniaChuck Schumer , New YorkDick Durbin , IllinoisSheldon Whitehouse , Rhode IslandAmy Klobuchar , MinnesotaAl Franken , MinnesotaChris Coons , DelawareRichard Blumenthal , Connecticut
Subcommittees
111th Congress
(January 3, 2009 – January 3, 2011) [ 19] [ 20]
Majority
Minority
Patrick Leahy , Vermont, Chairman Herb Kohl , WisconsinDianne Feinstein , CaliforniaRuss Feingold , WisconsinChuck Schumer , New YorkDick Durbin , IllinoisBen Cardin , MarylandSheldon Whitehouse , Rhode IslandAmy Klobuchar , MinnesotaTed Kaufman , Delaware (until November 15, 2010)Arlen Specter , PennsylvaniaAl Franken , MinnesotaChris Coons , Delaware (from November 15, 2010)
Subcommittees
See also
References
^ U.S. Senate: Committee on the Judiciary -- Committee Membership List ^ a b c "Jurisdiction" . United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary . Retrieved January 11, 2018 .^ "Senate Committee on the Judiciary" . GovTrack . Retrieved January 11, 2018 .^ "Guide to Senate Records: Chapter 13 Judiciary 1947-1968" . National Archives . August 15, 2016. Archived from the original on April 8, 2017. Retrieved April 7, 2017 .^ "History" . United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary . Archived from the original on April 8, 2017. Retrieved April 7, 2017 .^ Elliott, Philip (January 26, 2022). "How Republicans Can Block Stephen Breyer's Replacement" . Time . Archived from the original on January 27, 2022. Retrieved January 27, 2022 . ^ S.Res. 30 (118th Congress)^ S.Res. 31 (118th Congress)^ "Majority Leader Schumer Announces New Senate Democratic Committee Assignments" . Senate Democrats . October 17, 2023. Retrieved October 18, 2023 .^ When the Senate convened in January 2001 17 days before President George W. Bush was inaugurated, there was a 50–50 split between Democrats and Republicans with Vice President Al Gore as a tiebreaking vote.
^ In June 2001, Republican Jim Jeffords declared himself an Independent and caucused with the Democrats, giving the Democrats majority control.
^ "Members" . United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary . Retrieved September 25, 2019 .^ "Members" . United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary . Retrieved September 25, 2019 .^ John J. Merlino (June 28, 2018). "Judiciary". The Senate of the United States Committee and Subcommittee Assignments for the One Hundred Fifteenth Congress (PDF) (Report). Under the Direction of Julie E. Adams , Secretary of the Senate . Washington: U.S. Government Publishing Office . pp. 20–21. Retrieved February 12, 2021 . ^ John J. Merlino (April 4, 2017). "Judiciary". The Senate of the United States Committee and Subcommittee Assignments for the One Hundred Fifteenth Congress (PDF) (Report). Under the Direction of Julie E. Adams , Secretary of the Senate . Washington: U.S. Government Publishing Office . pp. 20–21. Retrieved February 12, 2021 . ^ John J. Merlino (May 13, 2015). "Judiciary". The Senate of the United States Committee and Subcommittee Assignments for the One Hundred Fourteenth Congress (PDF) (Report). Under the Direction of Julie E. Adams , Secretary of the Senate . Washington: U.S. Government Publishing Office . pp. 20–21. Retrieved February 13, 2021 . ^ Kathleen Alvarez Tritak (April 10, 2014). "Judiciary". The Senate of the United States Committee and Subcommittee Assignments for the One Hundred Thirteenth Congress (PDF) (Report). Under the Direction of Nancy Erickson , Secretary of the Senate . Washington: U.S. Government Publishing Office . pp. 20–21. Retrieved February 13, 2021 . ^ Kathleen Alvarez Tritak (April 8, 2011). "Judiciary". The Senate of the United States Committee and Subcommittee Assignments for the One Hundred Twelfth Congress (PDF) (Report). Under the Direction of Nancy Erickson , Secretary of the Senate . Washington: U.S. Government Publishing Office . pp. 20–21. Retrieved February 13, 2021 . ^ Kathleen Alvarez Tritak (2010). "Judiciary". The Senate of the United States Committee and Subcommittee Assignments for the One Hundred Eleventh Congress (PDF) (Report). Under the Direction of Nancy Erickson , Secretary of the Senate . Washington: U.S. Government Publishing Office . pp. 22–23. Retrieved February 13, 2021 . ^ Kathleen Alvarez Tritak (October 1, 2010). "Judiciary". The Senate of the United States Committee and Subcommittee Assignments for the One Hundred Eleventh Congress (PDF) (Report). Under the Direction of Nancy Erickson , Secretary of the Senate . Washington: U.S. Government Publishing Office . pp. 22–23. Retrieved February 13, 2021 .
External links
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