When he was in the US Senate, Barack Obama served on a number of committees: these included the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations; the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. He also served on a number of subcommittees, and in the 110th congress, he chaired the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on European Affairs. This subcommittee was involved with global security, and by all accounts, it did hold meetings.

The group responsible for approving all presidential appointments is the United States Senate, specifically the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. They have the authority to review and confirm or reject the individuals nominated by the President for various government positions.

United States Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs was created in 1971.

United States Senate Committee on Indian Affairs was created in 1820.

United States House Committee on Homeland Security was created in 2002.