The Committee on Armed Services 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 U.S. victory in the Second World War. It merged the responsibilities of the Committee on Naval Affairs (established in 1816) and the Committee on Military Affairs (also established in 1816). 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 is highly influential.
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Members, 111th Congress
The Committee is chaired by Democrat Carl Levin of Michigan, and the Ranking Minority Member is Republican John McCain of Arizona.
| Majority | Minority |
|---|---|
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Source: 2009 Congressional Record, Vol. 155, Page S9690 and S9910.
Subcommittees
| Subcommittee Name | Chair | Ranking Minority Member |
|---|---|---|
| Airland | Joe Lieberman (I-CT) | John Thune (R-SD) |
| Emerging Threats and Capabilities | Bill Nelson (D-FL) | George LeMieux (R-FL) |
| Personnel | Jim Webb (D-VA) | Lindsey Graham (R-SC) |
| Readiness and Management Support | Evan Bayh (D-IN) | Richard Burr (R-NC) |
| SeaPower | Jack Reed (D-RI) | Roger Wicker (R-MS) |
| Strategic Forces | Ben Nelson (D-NE) | David Vitter (R-LA) |
Chairmen
| Committee on Military Affairs, 1816-1947 | Committee on Naval Affairs, 1816-1947 |
|---|---|
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Committee on Armed Services, 1947-present
- Chan Gurney (R-SD) 1947-1949
- Millard E. Tydings (D-MD) 1949-1951
- Richard B. Russell, Jr. (D-GA) 1951-1953
- Leverett Saltonstall (R-MA) 1953-1955
- Richard B. Russell, Jr. (D-GA) 1955-1969
- John C. Stennis (D-MS) 1969-1981
- John Tower (R-TX) 1981-1985
- Barry Goldwater (R-AZ) 1985-1987
- Sam Nunn (D-GA) 1987-1995
- Strom Thurmond (R-SC) 1995-1999
- John Warner (R-VA) 1999-2001
- Carl Levin (D-MI) 2001
- John Warner (R-VA) 2001
- Carl Levin (D-MI) 2001-2003
- John Warner (R-VA) 2003-2007
- Carl Levin (D-MI) 2007-present
See also
Footnotes
- ^ Joe Lieberman is an Independent Democrat, but caucuses with Democrats on the committee.
External links
- United States Senate Armed Services Committee Website
- Department of Defense
- Armed Forces Retirement Home
- Selected Service System
- Four Torture Memos Released April 16, 2009, in response to FOIA suit by ACLU Senate Armed Services Committee Report on Torture released April 22, 2009.
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