Summary
Mission: The Senate Appropriations Committee has jurisdiction over all discretionary spending legislation in the Senate. Its role is defined by the U.S. Constitution, which requires “appropriations made by law” prior to the expenditure of any money from the Treasury.
The Senate Appropriations Committee is the largest committee in the U.S. Senate, with 30 members in the 117th Congress.
House Counterpart: Appropriations Committee
Democratic Members:
Patty Murray, Washington, Vice Chair
Dick Durbin, Illinois
Jack Reed, Rhode Island
Jeanne Shaheen, New Hampshire
Jeff Merkley, Oregon
Chris Coons, Delaware
Brian Schatz, Hawaii
Tammy Baldwin, Wisconsin
Chris Murphy, Connecticut
Chris Van Hollen, Maryland
Martin Heinrich, New Mexico
Gary Peters, Michigan
Jon Ossoff, Georgia
Kirsten Gillibrand, New York
Republican Members:
Susan Collins, Maine, Chair
Mitch McConnell, Kentucky
Lisa Murkowski, Alaska
Lindsey Graham, South Carolina
Jerry Moran, Kansas
John Hoeven, North Dakota
John Boozman, Arkansas
Shelley Moore Capito, West Virginia
John Kennedy, Louisiana
Cindy Hyde-Smith, Mississippi
Mike Rounds, South Dakota
Marco Rubio, Florida
Bill Hagerty, Tennessee
Deb Fischer, Nebraska
Markwayne Mullin, Oklahoma
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Senate Appropriations Committee holds hearing on domestic extremism
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About
Overview
The committee was first organized on March 6, 1867, when power over appropriations was taken out of the hands of the Finance Committee.
The chairman of the Appropriations Committee has enormous power to bring home special projects (sometimes referred to as “pork barrel spending”) for his or her state as well as having the final say on other senators’ appropriation requests. For example, in fiscal year 2005 per capita federal spending in Alaska, the home state of then-Chairman Ted Stevens, was $12,000, double the national average. Alaska has 11,772 special earmarked projects for a combined cost of $15,780,623,000. This represents about four percent of the overall spending in the $388 billion Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2005 passed by Congress.
Because of the power of this committee and the fact that senators represent entire states, not just parts of states, it is considered extremely difficult to unseat a member of this committee at an election, especially if he or she is a subcommittee chair, or “Cardinal”. From 2001 to 2021, every Senate Majority Leader has been a previous or concurrently-serving member of the Appropriations Committee: Tom Daschle (committee member, 1991–1999; majority leader, 2001–2003), Bill Frist (committee member, 1995–2002; majority leader, 2003–2007), Harry Reid (committee member, 1989–2006; majority leader, 2007–2015), Mitch McConnell (current committee member; majority leader, 2015–2021).
Source: Wikipedia
History
“No money shall be drawn from the treasury, but in consequence of appropriations made by law, and a regular statement and account of receipts and expenditures of all public money shall be published from time to time.” – US Constitution, Article 1, section 9
At the beginning of the Fortieth Congress in March 1867, Senator Henry B. Anthony of Rhode Island offered a Senate resolution providing for the creation of “…a Committee on Appropriations, to consist of seven members.” His purpose was “to divide the onerous labors of the Finance Committee with another committee” by separating the tax-writing and appropriating processes. The House had already established an Appropriations Committee two years earlier. Without further discussion, Anthony’s resolution was considered by unanimous consent and agreed to, giving birth to the Senate Committee on Appropriations on March 6, 1867.
The lack of Senate debate over the proposed resolution indicates that Members recognized the need to control the appropriations process and ensure better management of government spending by giving one committee the sole responsibility to examine executive agency budget estimates.
- Lot M. Morrill of Maine, Chairman
- James W. Grimes of Iowa
- Timothy O. Howe of Wisconsin
- Henry Wilson of Massachusetts
- Cornelius Cole of California
- Roscoe Conkling of New York
- James Guthrie of Kentucky
Senator Anthony then offered a resolution to amend Rule 30 of the Senate, to which relatively minor changes had been made in 1852 and 1854. The new resolution was far-reaching:
Resolved, That the 30th rule of the Senate be amended by adding thereto the following words, namely: “And all amendments to general appropriation bills reported from the committees of the Senate, proposing new items of appropriation, shall, 1 day before they are offered, be referred to the Committee on Appropriations; and all general appropriation bills shall be referred to the said committee.”
This resolution, which the Senate agreed to without debate, gave the Committee an opportunity to examine all proposed amendments, thus precluding spontaneous floor amendments. On the first appropriation bill reported by the committee, Senator Lot Morrill raised a point of order-which the Senate sustained against a floor amendment about which the Committee on Appropriations had not received prior notice.
The operations of the newly formed committee were in many ways similar to those in practice today. To handle the various appropriation bills, the committee soon established 13 subcommittees, with three members assigned to each, responsible for the following topics:
- Agriculture
- Army
- Deficiencies
- Diplomatic and consular
- District of Columbia
- Fortification
- Indian
- Legislative
- Military Academy
- Navy
- Pensions
- Post Office
- Sundry Civil
In the Senate, as in the House, the Committee on Commerce continued to handle the rivers and harbors appropriation bill, which had been provided for as a separate bill since 1826 and was not considered a “general” appropriation bill.
This measure, the first appropriation bill ever considered by the Senate Committee on Appropriations, was S. 83, Fortieth Congress, originating in the Senate. It was amended in both houses and in the conference. Only one of the three conferees, Senator Morrill, was a regular Appropriations member. Along with other items for the Senate, House, and executive branch, the bill contained $2,898 for the salary (covering approximately 16 months) for the clerk of the Senate Committee on Appropriations. President Andrew Johnson signed the bill1 into law on March 29, 1867.
Source: Committee website
Jurisdiction (Policy Areas)
Appropriations bills, Discretionary spending, Rescission bills
Specifically:
In accordance of Rule XXV of the United States Senate, all proposed legislation, messages, petitions, memorials, and other matters relating to the following subjects is referred to the Senate Committee on Appropriations:
- Appropriation of the revenue for the support of the Government, except as provided in subparagraph (e);
- Rescission of appropriations contained in appropriation Acts (referred to in section 105 of title 1, United States Code);
- The amount of new spending authority described in section 401(c)(2) (A) and (B) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 which is to be effective for a fiscal year; and,
- New spending authority described in section 401(c)(2)(C) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 provided in bills and resolutions referred to the committee under section 401(b)(2) of that Act (but subject to the provisions of section 401(b)(3) of that Act)
Likewise, Article I, Section 9, Clause 7 of the United States Constitution, clearly vesting the power of the purse in Congress, states: “No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law…and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.”This clause is the foundation for the congressional appropriations process and the fundamental source of the Senate Appropriations Committee’s institutional power – as is the same with its counterpart in the lower house In other words, Article I, Section 9, Clause 7 of the United States Constitution charges the United States Congress with the legislative duty of controlling government spending separate from the executive branch of government – a significant check and balance in the American constitutional system.
Appropriations process
The federal budget is divided into two main categories: discretionary spending and mandatory spending. Each appropriations subcommittee develops a draft appropriations bill covering each agency under its jurisdiction based on the Congressional Budget Resolution, which is drafted by an analogous Senate Budget committee. Each subcommittee must adhere to the spending limits set by the budget resolution and allocations set by the full Appropriations Committee, though the full Senate may vote to waive those limits if 60 senators vote to do so. The committee also reviews supplemental spending bills (covering unforeseen or emergency expenses not previously budgeted).
Each appropriations bill must be passed by both houses of Congress and signed by the president prior to the start of the federal fiscal year, October 1. If that target is not met, as has been common in recent years, the committee drafts a continuing resolution, which is then approved by Congress and signed by the President to keep the federal government operating until the individual bills are approved.
Source: Wikipedia
FAQs
How does an appropriations bill become a law?
Please visit the Budget Process page to learn more about how an appropriations bill becomes a law.
How do I find out which subcommittee handles a particular issue?
Each subcommittee has its own page with a detailed description of issues within their jurisdiction. You can find it by clicking the subcommittee tab from the home page.
Here is a description of the area of responsibility for the whole committee: Jurisdiction
Can I attend a Committee hearing?
Most hearings are open to the public, and the public and press are welcome to attend based on availability of space. Closed hearings are not open to the public, and will be noted in the hearing announcement.
Do you have a schedule of Appropriations hearings for the year?
We usually announce hearings one week in advance, and hearing information will be posted on the website when it becomes available.
Are the hearings webcast?
Yes. All of our hearings are streamed live on the homepage of the website.
What about your markups? Are they webcast?
Yes all of our markups are streamed live but they are audio only.
Where can I view witness testimony from your hearings?
We usually make all testimony available on the hearings page once the hearing has started. Just click the specific hearing you are interested in.
Where can I find more information about the Committee’s legislation?
The “Legislation” link at the top of the website will take you to the website Thomas, which links to all current legislation as well as legislation from past years. You can also always check the website of the individual member who introduced the bill.
What is a fiscal year?
The fiscal year begins on October 1st and ends on September 30th the following year. Under regular order, all Appropriations bills are enacted by the beginning of each fiscal year. In the event additional time is necessary to complete action on appropriations bills, Congress enacts a “Continuing Resolution” that maintains funding for government programs at status quo levels for a set period of time.
If I want to learn more about the budget and appropriations process where can I read more?
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) compiles key terms used in the Federal Budget process in a glossary here.
Source: Committee website
Contact
Locations
Committee on Appropriations
Room S-128, The Capitol, Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-7363
Web Links
Legislation
Bills under consideration
Source: Committee website
Hearings
Source: Committee website
Subcommittees
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
Defense
Source: Committee website
Jurisdiction
Funding requirements for the United States military are laid out in the U.S Constitution. In addition to the general requirement that funds withdrawn from the Treasury only through “appropriations made by law” (Article I, Section 9), the Constitution gives Congress the authority to “raise and support Armies,” but limits funding for the military to a maximum of two years (Article I, Section 8). This restriction is generally not an issue for Congress, since by law, the federal budget operates on a year-to-year basis.
The subcommittee oversees overall funding for the Department of Defense, including the Army, Navy, Air Force. The subcommittee is also responsible for funding for the Central Intelligence Agency.
Democratic Members
Jon Tester, Montana, Chair
Dick Durbin, Illinois
Patty Murray, Washington
Jack Reed, Rhode Island
Brian Schatz, Hawaii
Tammy Baldwin, Wisconsin
Jeanne Shaheen, New Hampshire
Chris Murphy, Connecticut
Christopher Coons, Delaware
Republican Members
Susan Collins, Maine, Vice Chair
Mitch McConnell, Kentucky
Lisa Murkowski, Alaska
Lindsey Graham, South Carolina
Roy Blunt, Missouri
Jerry Moran, Kansas
John Hoeven, North Dakota
John Boozman, Arkansas
Energy and Water Development
Source: Committee website
Jurisdiction
This subcommittee, as its name implies, is responsible for funding related to the Department of Energy and water development projects in the United States. It also oversees the Tennessee Valley Authority, the federal power marketing administrations, and non-defense nuclear power, including nuclear waste disposal and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
It is also responsible for the multibillion-dollar budget of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Interior Department’s U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. The Corps of Engineers is the primary federal agency with responsibility over “waters of the United States” that plans, designs, builds, and operates water resources and other civil works projects,[6] while the Bureau of Reclamation oversees federal dams, irrigation, and rural drinking water projects in the Western United States.
Democratic Members
Patty Murray, Washington, Chair
Jon Tester, Montana
Dick Durbin, Illinois
Jeanne Shaheen, New Hampshire
Jeff Merkley, Oregon
Chris Coons, Delaware
Tammy Baldwin, Wisconsin
Martin Heinrich, New Mexico
Kyrsten Sinema, Arizona
Republican Members
John Kennedy, Louisiana, Ranking member
Mitch McConnell, Kentucky
Richard Shelby, Alabama
Susan Collins, Maine
Lisa Murkowski, Alaska
Lindsey Graham, South Carolina
John Hoeven, North Dakota
Cindy Hyde-Smith, Mississippi
Bill Hagerty, Tennessee
Katie Britt, Alabama
Financial Services and General Government
Source: Committee website
Jurisdiction
This subcommittee continues to have jurisdiction over the budget of the District of Columbia, and was given jurisdiction over agency funding handled by the Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury, the Judiciary and Housing and Urban Development. The new subcommittee is responsible for funding general provisions of the federal government, with primary jurisdiction over discretionary spending of the Treasury Department, the United States federal judiciary, and the District of Columbia. The most diverse subcommittee, it also oversees funding for the Executive Office of the President and the Office of Management and Budget as well as various independent federal agencies, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Communications Commission, the Federal Election Commission, the National Archives and Records Administration, and Office of National Drug Control Policy.
Democratic Members
Chris Van Hollen, Maryland, Chair
Chris Coons, Delaware
Dick Durbin, Illinois
Joe Manchin, West Virginia
Martin Heinrich, New Mexico
Republican Members
Bill Hagerty, Tennessee, Ranking Member
John Boozman, Arkansas
John Kennedy, Louisiana
Marco Rubio, Florida
Homeland Security
Source: Committee website
Jurisdiction
The subcommittee is responsible for the Department of Homeland Security and its related agencies, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the U.S. Secret Service, and the United States Coast Guard. The subcommittee also provides funding for state and local preparedness efforts.
Democratic Members
Chris Murphy, Connecticut, Chair
Jon Tester, Montana
Jeanne Shaheen, New Hampshire
Patty Murray, Washington
Tammy Baldwin, Wisconsin
Gary Peters, Michigan
Republican Members
Katie Britt, Alabama, Ranking Member
Lisa Murkowski, Alaska
John Hoeven, North Dakota
John Kennedy, Louisiana
Cindy Hyde-Smith, Mississippi
Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies
Legislative Branch
Source: Committee website
Jurisdiction
This subcommittee is responsible for funding operations of the U.S. House of Representatives and the United States Senate. The subcommittee recommends funding for several joint agencies of Congress, including the Library of Congress, U.S. Capitol Police, Congressional Budget Office, Government Accountability Office, and the Capitol Visitors Center.
By tradition, the House of Representatives does not oversee or recommend funding levels for the Senate and the Senate does not recommend funding for the House. This includes separate House and Senate activities overseen by the Architect of the Capitol. The subcommittee sets overall funding levels for Senate salaries, officers, and employees, including the Senate Office of the Vice President, Office of the Sergeant at Arms, and the Office of the Secretary of the Senate. Each senator receives an allocation for official expenses, including the hiring of staff and office management. Funding for both houses of Congress are then combined in the final conference committee report prior to being approved by Congress and sent to the President for his signature.
Democratic Members
Jack Reed, Chair
Chris Murphy, Connecticut
Chris Van Hollen, Maryland
Republican Members
Deb Fischer, Nebraska, Ranking Member
Marco Rubio, Florida
John Boozman, Arkansas
Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies
State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
More Information
FY 2022 Appropriations Requests and Congressionally Directed Spending
Source: Committee website
On April 26, 2021, Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) announced his intent to restore one of Congress’ constitutional powers, the power to approve congressionally-directed spending items, and to do so with enhanced transparency and accountability. Accordingly, in addition to accepting programmatic requests which the Committee does every year, the Senate Appropriations Committee will on a bipartisan basis accept requests for congressionally directed spending items for fiscal year 2022.
The Committee will carefully review all member requests. Only those requests that comply with Committee and Senate rules and are deemed appropriate for federal support will be considered for funding. A link to the list of reforms can be found here. Chairman Leahy’s remarks on congressionally directed spending can be found here. A link to general guidance for Senators making requests to the Appropriations Committee, including deadlines for receiving requests, can be found here.
In a commitment to transparency, all members will be required to post any requests they make for congressionally directed spending to their Senate office website. The Appropriations Committee will update this page with links to each post when they become available.
Member requests can be found here.
