Standing committee of the U.S. Senate
Senate Judiciary Committee Standing committee Active United States Senate 119th Congress History Formed December 10, 1816 Leadership Chair Chuck Grassley (R )Ranking member Dick Durbin (D )Structure Seats 22 members Political parties Majority (12)
Minority (10)
Jurisdiction Policy areas Federal judiciary ,civil procedure ,criminal procedure ,civil liberties ,copyrights ,patents ,trademarks ,naturalization ,constitutional amendments ,congressional apportionment ,state and territorial boundary lines Oversight authority Department of Justice ,Department of Homeland Security ,federal judicial nominations House counterpart House 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 theUnited States Supreme Court TheUnited States Senate Committee on the Judiciary , informally known as theSenate Judiciary Committee , is astanding committee of 22U.S. senators [ 1] Department of Justice (DOJ), considerexecutive andjudicial nominations, and review pending legislation.[ 2] [ 3]
In addition, theStanding Rules of the Senate confer jurisdiction to the Senate Judiciary Committee in certain areas, such as considering proposed constitutional amendments and legislation related tofederal criminal law ,human rights law ,immigration ,intellectual property ,antitrust law , andinternet privacy .[ 2] [ 4]
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]
The committee considers presidential nominations for positions in the DOJ—including theAttorney-General and theDirector of the FBI —, theOffice of National Drug Control Policy , theState Justice Institute , and certain positions in theDepartment of Commerce and DHS. It is also in charge of holding hearings and investigating judicial nominations to theSupreme Court , theU.S. court of appeals , theU.S. district courts , and theCourt 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]
The Judiciary Committee's oversight of the DOJ includes all of the agencies under the DOJ's jurisdiction, such as theFBI . It also has oversight of theDepartment of Homeland Security (DHS).
[ edit ] (January 3, 2025 – January 3, 2027) Majority[ 7] Minority[ 8] Chuck Grassley , Iowa,Chair Lindsey Graham , South CarolinaJohn Cornyn , TexasMike Lee , UtahTed Cruz , TexasJosh Hawley , MissouriThom Tillis , North CarolinaJohn Kennedy , LouisianaMarsha Blackburn , TennesseeEric Schmitt , MissouriKatie Britt , AlabamaAshley Moody , Florida (from January 24, 2025)Dick Durbin , Illinois,Ranking Member Sheldon Whitehouse , Rhode IslandAmy Klobuchar , MinnesotaChris Coons , DelawareRichard Blumenthal , ConnecticutMazie Hirono , HawaiiCory Booker , New JerseyAlex Padilla , CaliforniaPeter Welch , VermontAdam Schiff , California
Committee leadership [ edit ] Historical committee rosters [ edit ] (January 3, 2023 – January 3, 2025) Majority[ 12] Minority[ 13] Dick Durbin , Illinois,Chair Dianne Feinstein , California (until September 29, 2023)Sheldon Whitehouse , Rhode IslandAmy Klobuchar , MinnesotaChris Coons , DelawareRichard Blumenthal , ConnecticutMazie Hirono , HawaiiCory Booker , New JerseyAlex Padilla , CaliforniaJon Ossoff , GeorgiaPeter Welch , VermontLaphonza Butler , California (from October 17, 2023)[ 14] Lindsey Graham , South Carolina,Ranking Member Chuck Grassley , IowaJohn Cornyn , TexasMike Lee , UtahTed Cruz , TexasJosh Hawley , MissouriTom Cotton , ArkansasJohn Kennedy , LouisianaThom Tillis , North CarolinaMarsha Blackburn , Tennessee
Subcommittees
(January 3, 2021 – January 3, 2023) Majority[ 15] Minority Dick Durbin , Illinois,Chair Patrick Leahy , VermontDianne Feinstein , CaliforniaSheldon Whitehouse , Rhode IslandAmy Klobuchar , MinnesotaChris Coons , DelawareRichard Blumenthal , ConnecticutMazie Hirono , HawaiiCory Booker , New JerseyAlex Padilla , CaliforniaJon Ossoff , GeorgiaChuck Grassley , Iowa,Ranking Member Lindsey Graham , South CarolinaJohn Cornyn , TexasMike Lee , UtahTed Cruz , TexasBen Sasse , NebraskaJosh Hawley , MissouriTom Cotton , ArkansasJohn Kennedy , LouisianaThom Tillis , North CarolinaMarsha Blackburn , Tennessee
Subcommittees
(January 3, 2019 – January 3, 2021) Majority Minority Lindsey Graham , South Carolina,Chair Chuck Grassley , IowaJohn Cornyn , TexasMike Lee , UtahTed Cruz , TexasBen Sasse , NebraskaJosh Hawley , MissouriThom Tillis , North CarolinaJoni Ernst , IowaMike Crapo , IdahoJohn Kennedy , LouisianaMarsha Blackburn , Tennessee[ 15] Dianne Feinstein , California,Ranking Member Patrick Leahy , VermontDick Durbin , IllinoisSheldon Whitehouse , Rhode IslandAmy Klobuchar , MinnesotaChris Coons , DelawareRichard Blumenthal , ConnecticutMazie Hirono , HawaiiCory Booker , New JerseyKamala Harris , California
Subcommittees (January 3, 2017 – January 3, 2019) [ 16] [ 17]
Majority Minority Chuck Grassley , Iowa,Chair Orrin Hatch , UtahLindsey Graham , South CarolinaJohn Cornyn , TexasMike Lee , UtahTed Cruz , TexasBen Sasse , NebraskaJeff Flake , ArizonaMike Crapo , IdahoThom Tillis , North CarolinaJohn Kennedy , LouisianaDianne Feinstein , California,Ranking Member Patrick Leahy , VermontDick Durbin , IllinoisSheldon Whitehouse , Rhode IslandAmy Klobuchar , MinnesotaChris Coons , DelawareRichard Blumenthal , ConnecticutMazie Hirono , HawaiiCory Booker , New Jersey (from January 9, 2018)Kamala Harris , California (from January 9, 2018)Al Franken , Minnesota (until January 2, 2018)
In January 2018, the Democratic minority had their number of seats increase from 9 to 10 upon the election ofDoug 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)
(January 3, 2015 – January 3, 2017) [ 18]
Majority Minority Chuck Grassley , Iowa,Chair Orrin Hatch , UtahJeff Sessions , AlabamaLindsey Graham , South CarolinaJohn Cornyn , TexasMike Lee , UtahTed Cruz , TexasJeff Flake , ArizonaDavid Vitter , LouisianaDavid Perdue , GeorgiaThom Tillis , North CarolinaPatrick Leahy , Vermont,Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein , CaliforniaChuck Schumer , New YorkDick Durbin , IllinoisSheldon Whitehouse , Rhode IslandAmy Klobuchar , MinnesotaAl Franken , MinnesotaChris Coons , DelawareRichard Blumenthal , Connecticut
Subcommittees (January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2015) [ 19]
Majority Minority Patrick Leahy , Vermont,Chair Dianne Feinstein , CaliforniaChuck Schumer , New YorkDick Durbin , IllinoisSheldon Whitehouse , Rhode IslandAmy Klobuchar , MinnesotaAl Franken , MinnesotaChris Coons , DelawareRichard Blumenthal , ConnecticutMazie Hirono , Hawaii
Subcommittees (January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2013) [ 20]
Majority Minority Patrick Leahy , Vermont,Chair Herb Kohl , WisconsinDianne Feinstein , CaliforniaChuck Schumer , New YorkDick Durbin , IllinoisSheldon Whitehouse , Rhode IslandAmy Klobuchar , MinnesotaAl Franken , MinnesotaChris Coons , DelawareRichard Blumenthal , Connecticut
Subcommittees (January 3, 2009 – January 3, 2011) [ 21] [ 22]
Majority Minority Patrick Leahy , Vermont,Chair Herb Kohl , WisconsinDianne Feinstein , CaliforniaRuss Feingold , WisconsinChuck Schumer , New YorkDick Durbin , IllinoisBen Cardin , MarylandSheldon Whitehouse , Rhode IslandAmy Klobuchar , MinnesotaTed Kaufman , Delaware (until November 15, 2010)Arlen Specter , PennsylvaniaAl Franken , MinnesotaChris Coons , Delaware (from November 15, 2010)
Subcommittees ^ U.S. Senate: Committee on the Judiciary -- Committee Membership List ^a b c "Jurisdiction" .United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary . RetrievedJanuary 11, 2018 .^ "Senate Committee on the Judiciary" .GovTrack . RetrievedJanuary 11, 2018 .^ "Guide to Senate Records: Chapter 13 Judiciary 1947-1968" .National Archives . August 15, 2016. Archived fromthe original on April 8, 2017. RetrievedApril 7, 2017 .^ "History" .United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary . Archived fromthe original on April 8, 2017. RetrievedApril 7, 2017 .^ Elliott, Philip (January 26, 2022)."How Republicans Can Block Stephen Breyer's Replacement" .Time .Archived from the original on January 27, 2022. RetrievedJanuary 27, 2022 . ^ S.Res. 16 ,S.Res. 38 (119th Congress)^ S.Res. 17 (119th Congress)^ "Grassley, Durbin Announce Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Assignments for the 119th Congress" .Committee on the Judiciary . February 3, 2025.^ 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. ^ In June 2001, Republican Jim Jeffords declared himself an Independent and caucused with the Democrats, giving the Democrats majority control. ^ S.Res. 30 (118th Congress)^ S.Res. 31 (118th Congress)^ "Majority Leader Schumer Announces New Senate Democratic Committee Assignments" .Senate Democrats . October 17, 2023. RetrievedOctober 18, 2023 .^a b "Members" .United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary . RetrievedSeptember 25, 2019 .^ 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 ofJulie E. Adams ,Secretary of the Senate . Washington:U.S. Government Publishing Office . pp. 20– 21. RetrievedFebruary 12, 2021 . ^ 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 ofJulie E. Adams ,Secretary of the Senate . Washington:U.S. Government Publishing Office . pp. 20– 21. RetrievedFebruary 12, 2021 . ^ 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 ofJulie E. Adams ,Secretary of the Senate . Washington:U.S. Government Publishing Office . pp. 20– 21. RetrievedFebruary 13, 2021 . ^ 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 ofNancy Erickson ,Secretary of the Senate . Washington:U.S. Government Publishing Office . pp. 20– 21. RetrievedFebruary 13, 2021 . ^ 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 ofNancy Erickson ,Secretary of the Senate . Washington:U.S. Government Publishing Office . pp. 20– 21. RetrievedFebruary 13, 2021 . ^ 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 ofNancy Erickson ,Secretary of the Senate . Washington:U.S. Government Publishing Office . pp. 22– 23. RetrievedFebruary 13, 2021 . ^ 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 ofNancy Erickson ,Secretary of the Senate . Washington:U.S. Government Publishing Office . pp. 22– 23. RetrievedFebruary 13, 2021 .
