Armed Services Committees
After the immense expansion of American military forces during World War II, Congress reorganized its many separate committees on military affairs, naval affairs, and militia into the House and Senate Armed Services Committees. These committees hold hearings and report legislation on all aspects of national defense, including military spending, weapons systems, strategies, bases, military academies, and the promotion of military officers. The influence of the Armed Services Committees grew in direct proportion to the billion-dollar increases in the defense budget during the cold war. Three Georgians, Representative Carl Vinson and Senators Richard Russell and Sam Nunn, established strong national reputations and earned respect within Congress as chairmen of the Armed Services Committees.
See also Committees, congressional
