United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary

Nominations

The committee considers presidential nominations for positions in the DOJ, including the attorney general and the director of the FBI, 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).

Chairs

Ranking members

118th Congress

(January 3, 2023 – January 3, 2025)

Subcommittees

117th Congress

(January 3, 2021 – January 3, 2023)

Subcommittees

116th Congress

(January 3, 2019 – January 3, 2021)

Subcommittees

115th Congress

(January 3, 2017 – January 3, 2019)

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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

114th Congress

(January 3, 2015 – January 3, 2017)

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Subcommittees

113th Congress

(January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2015)

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Subcommittees

112th Congress

(January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2013)

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Subcommittees

111th Congress

(January 3, 2009 – January 3, 2011)

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Subcommittees