Senate Judiciary Committee
Standing committee
Active

United States Senate
118th Congress
History
FormedDecember 10, 1816
Leadership
ChairDick Durbin (D)
Since February 3, 2021
Ranking memberLindsey Graham (R)
Since January 3, 2023
Structure
Seats21 members
Political partiesMajority (11)
  •   Democratic (11)
Minority (10)
Jurisdiction
Policy areasFederal judiciary, civil procedure, criminal procedure, civil liberties, copyrights, patents, trademarks, naturalization, constitutional amendments, congressional apportionment, state and territorial boundary lines
Oversight authorityDepartment of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, federal judicial nominations
House counterpartHouse Committee on the Judiciary
Meeting place
226 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C.
Website
judiciary.senate.gov
Rules
    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] whose role is to oversee the 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).

    Members, 118th Congress (January 3, 2023 – January 3, 2025)

    Majority[7] Minority[8]
    Dick Durbin, Democratic senator from Illinois, is the current chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

    Chairs since 1816

    ChairPartyStateYears
    Dudley ChaseDemocratic-RepublicanVermont1816–1817
    John J. CrittendenDemocratic-RepublicanKentucky1817–1818
    James Burrill Jr.FederalistRhode Island1818–1819
    William SmithDemocratic-RepublicanSouth Carolina1819–1823
    Martin Van BurenDemocratic-RepublicanNew York1823–1828
    John M. BerrienJacksonianGeorgia1828–1829
    John RowanDemocratic-RepublicanKentucky1829–1831
    William L. MarcyJacksonianNew York1831–1832
    William WilkinsJacksonianPennsylvania1832–1833
    John M. ClaytonAnti-JacksonianDelaware1833–1836
    Felix GrundyJacksonianTennessee1836–1838
    Garret D. WallDemocraticNew Jersey1838–1841
    John M. BerrienWhigGeorgia1841–1845
    Chester AshleyDemocraticArkansas1845–1847
    Andrew P. ButlerDemocraticSouth Carolina1847–1857
    James A. Bayard Jr.DemocraticDelaware1857–1861
    Lyman TrumbullRepublicanIllinois1861–1872
    George G. WrightRepublicanIowa1872
    George F. EdmundsRepublicanVermont1872–1879
    Allen G. ThurmanDemocraticOhio1879–1881
    George F. EdmundsRepublicanVermont1881–1891
    George Frisbie HoarRepublicanMassachusetts1891–1893
    James L. PughDemocraticAlabama1893–1895
    George Frisbie HoarRepublicanMassachusetts1895–1904
    Orville H. PlattRepublicanConnecticut1904–1905
    Clarence D. ClarkRepublicanWyoming1905–1912
    Charles Allen CulbersonDemocraticTexas1912–1919
    Knute NelsonRepublicanMinnesota1919–1923
    Frank B. BrandegeeRepublicanConnecticut1923–1924
    Albert B. CumminsRepublicanIowa1924–1926
    George William NorrisRepublicanNebraska1926–1933
    Henry F. AshurstDemocraticArizona1933–1941
    Frederick Van NuysDemocraticIndiana1941–1945
    Pat McCarranDemocraticNevada1945–1947
    Alexander WileyRepublicanWisconsin1947–1949
    Pat McCarranDemocraticNevada1949–1953
    William LangerRepublicanNorth Dakota1953–1955
    Harley M. KilgoreDemocraticWest Virginia1955–1956
    James EastlandDemocraticMississippi1956–1978
    Edward M. KennedyDemocraticMassachusetts1978–1981
    Strom ThurmondRepublicanSouth Carolina1981–1987
    Joe BidenDemocraticDelaware1987–1995
    Orrin HatchRepublicanUtah1995–2001
    Patrick Leahy[10]DemocraticVermont2001
    Orrin HatchRepublicanUtah2001
    Patrick Leahy[11]DemocraticVermont2001–2003
    Orrin HatchRepublicanUtah2003–2005
    Arlen SpecterRepublicanPennsylvania2005–2007
    Patrick LeahyDemocraticVermont2007–2015
    Chuck GrassleyRepublicanIowa2015–2019
    Lindsey GrahamRepublicanSouth Carolina2019–2021
    Dick DurbinDemocraticIllinois2021–present

    Historical committee rosters

    117th Congress (January 3, 2021 – January 3, 2023)

    Majority[12] Minority

    Subcommittees

    Subcommittee Chair Ranking Member
    Competition Policy, Antitrust and Consumer Rights Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) Mike Lee (R-UT)
    The Constitution Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) Ted Cruz (R-TX)
    Criminal Justice and Counterterrorism Cory Booker (D-NJ) Tom Cotton (R-AR)
    Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action and Federal Rights Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) John Kennedy (R-LA)
    Human Rights and the Law Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) Josh Hawley (R-MO)
    Immigration, Citizenship and Border Safety Alex Padilla (D-CA) John Cornyn (R-TX)
    Intellectual Property Patrick Leahy (D-VT) Thom Tillis (R-NC)
    Privacy, Technology and the Law Chris Coons (D-DE) Ben Sasse (R-NE)

    116th Congress (January 3, 2019 – January 3, 2021)

    Majority Minority
    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)
    The Constitution Ted Cruz (R-TX) Mazie Hirono (D-HI)
    Crime and Terrorism Josh Hawley (R-MO) Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
    Intellectual Property Thom Tillis (R-NC) Chris Coons (D-DE)
    Oversight, Agency Action, Federal Rights and Federal Courts Ben Sasse (R-NE) Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)

    115th Congress (January 3, 2017 – January 3, 2019)

    [14] [15]

    Majority Minority

    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
    Subcommittees
    Subcommittee Chairman Ranking member
    Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights Mike Lee (R-UT) Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
    Crime and Terrorism Lindsey Graham (R-SC) Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
    Immigration and the National Interest Jeff Sessions (R-AL) Chuck Schumer (D-NY)
    Oversight, Agency Action, Federal Rights and Federal Courts Ted Cruz (R-TX) Chris Coons (D-DE)
    Privacy, Technology and the Law Jeff Flake (R-AZ) Al Franken (D-MN)
    The Constitution John Cornyn (R-TX) Dick Durbin (D-IL)

    113th Congress (January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2015)

    [17]

    Majority Minority
    Subcommittees
    Subcommittee Chairman Ranking member
    Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) Mike Lee (R-UT)
    Bankruptcy and the Courts Chris Coons (D-DE) Jeff Sessions (R-AL)
    Crime and Terrorism Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
    Immigration, Refugees and Border Security Chuck Schumer (D-NY) John Cornyn (R-TX)
    Oversight, Federal Rights and Agency Action Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) Orrin Hatch (R-UT)
    Privacy, Technology and the Law Al Franken (D-MN) Jeff Flake (R-AZ)
    The Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights Dick Durbin (D-IL) Ted Cruz (R-TX)

    112th Congress (January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2013)

    [18]

    Majority Minority
    Subcommittees
    Subcommittee Chairman Ranking member
    Administrative Oversight and the Courts Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) Jeff Sessions (R-AL)
    United States Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights Herb Kohl (D-WI) Mike Lee (R-UT)
    Crime and Terrorism Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) Jon Kyl (R-AZ)
    Immigration, Refugees and Border Security Chuck Schumer (D-NY) John Cornyn (R-TX)
    Privacy, Technology and the Law Al Franken (D-MN) Tom Coburn (R-OK)
    The Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights Dick Durbin (D-IL) Lindsey Graham (R-SC)

    111th Congress (January 3, 2009 – January 3, 2011)

    [19] [20]

    Majority Minority
    Subcommittees
    Subcommittee Chairman Ranking member
    Administrative Oversight and the Courts Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) Jeff Sessions (R-AL)
    Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights Herb Kohl (D-WI) Orrin Hatch (R-UT)
    Crime and Drugs Arlen Specter (D-PA) Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
    Human Rights and the Law Dick Durbin (D-IL) Tom Coburn (R-OK)
    Immigration, Refugees and Border Security Chuck Schumer (D-NY) John Cornyn (R-TX)
    Terrorism and Homeland Security Ben Cardin (D-MD) Jon Kyl (R-AZ)
    The Constitution Russ Feingold (D-WI) Tom Coburn (R-OK)

    See also

    References

    1. U.S. Senate: Committee on the Judiciary -- Committee Membership List
    2. 1 2 3 "Jurisdiction". United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary. Retrieved January 11, 2018.
    3. "Senate Committee on the Judiciary". GovTrack. Retrieved January 11, 2018.
    4. "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.
    5. "History". United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary. Archived from the original on April 8, 2017. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
    6. 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.
    7. S.Res. 30 (118th Congress)
    8. S.Res. 31 (118th Congress)
    9. "Majority Leader Schumer Announces New Senate Democratic Committee Assignments". Senate Democrats. October 17, 2023. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
    10. 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.
    11. In June 2001, Republican Jim Jeffords declared himself an Independent and caucused with the Democrats, giving the Democrats majority control.
    12. "Members". United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
    13. "Members". United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
    14. 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.
    15. 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.
    16. 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.
    17. 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.
    18. 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.
    19. 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.
    20. 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.
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