thumb|275px|[[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 22 U.S. senators whose role is to oversee the Department of Justice (DOJ), consider executive and judicial nominations, and review pending legislation.
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.
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.
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.
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, 119th Congress
;(January 3, 2025 – January 3, 2027)
;
{|class=wikitable
!Majority
!Minority
|-
| valign="top" |
- Chuck Grassley, Iowa, Chair
- Lindsey Graham, South Carolina
- John Cornyn, Texas
- Mike Lee, Utah
- Ted Cruz, Texas
- Josh Hawley, Missouri
- Thom Tillis, North Carolina
- John Kennedy, Louisiana
- Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee
- Eric Schmitt, Missouri
- Katie Britt, Alabama
- Ashley Moody, Florida (from January 24, 2025)
| valign="top" |
- Dick Durbin, Illinois, Ranking Member
- Sheldon Whitehouse, Rhode Island
- Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota
- Chris Coons, Delaware
- Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut
- Mazie Hirono, Hawaii
- Cory Booker, New Jersey
- Alex Padilla, California
- Peter Welch, Vermont
- Adam Schiff, California
|}
Subcommittees
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Subcommittee
!Chair
!Ranking Member
|-
|Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights
|Mike Lee (R-UT)
|Cory Booker (D-NJ)
|-
|Border Security and Immigration
|John Cornyn (R-TX)
|Alex Padilla (D-CA)
|-
|The Constitution
|Eric Schmitt (R-MO)
|Peter Welch (D-VT)
|-
|Crime and Counterterrorism
|Josh Hawley (R-MO)
|Dick Durbin (D-IL)
|-
|Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action and Federal Rights
|Ted Cruz (R-TX)
|Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
|-
|Intellectual Property
|Thom Tillis (R-NC)
|Adam Schiff (D-CA)
|-
|Privacy, Technology and the Law
|Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)
|Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
|}
Committee leadership
Chairs
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Name
!Party
!State
!Start
!End
|-
|
|Democratic-Republican
|Vermont
|1816
|1817
|-
|
|Democratic-Republican
|Kentucky
|1817
|1818
|-
|
|Federalist
|Rhode Island
|1818
|1819
|-
|
|Democratic-Republican
|South Carolina
|1819
|1823
|-
|
|Democratic-Republican
|New York
|1823
|1828
|-
|
|Jacksonian
|Georgia
|1828
|1829
|-
|
|Democratic-Republican
|Kentucky
|1829
|1831
|-
|
|Jacksonian
|New York
|1831
|1832
|-
|
|Jacksonian
|Pennsylvania
|1832
|1833
|-
|
|Anti-Jacksonian
|Delaware
|1833
|1836
|-
|
|Jacksonian
|Tennessee
|1836
|1838
|-
|
|Democratic
|New Jersey
|1838
|1841
|-
|
|Whig
|Georgia
|1841
|1845
|-
|
|Democratic
|Arkansas
|1845
|1847
|-
|
|Democratic
|South Carolina
|1847
|1857
|-
|
|Democratic
|Delaware
|1857
|1861
|-
|
|Republican
|Illinois
|1861
|1872
|-
|
|Republican
|Iowa
|colspan=2 align=center |1872
|-
|
|Republican
|Vermont
|1872
|1879
|-
|
|Democratic
|Ohio
|1879
|1881
|-
|
|Republican
|Vermont
|1881
|1891
|-
|
|Republican
|Massachusetts
|1891
|1893
|-
|
|Democratic
|Alabama
|1893
|1895
|-
|
|Republican
|Massachusetts
|1895
|1904
|-
|
|Republican
|Connecticut
|1904
|1905
|-
|
|Republican
|Wyoming
|1905
|1912
|-
|
|Democratic
|Texas
|1912
|1919
|-
|
|Republican
|Minnesota
|1919
|1923
|-
|
|Republican
|Connecticut
|1923
|1924
|-
|
|Republican
|Iowa
|1924
|1926
|-
|
|Republican
|Nebraska
|1926
|1933
|-
|
|Democratic
|Arizona
|1933
|1941
|-
|
|Democratic
|Indiana
|1941
|1945
|-
|
|Democratic
|Nevada
|1945
|1947
|-
|
|Republican
|Wisconsin
|1947
|1949
|-
|
|Democratic
|Nevada
|1949
|1953
|-
|
|Republican
|North Dakota
|1953
|1955
|-
|
|Democratic
|West Virginia
|1955
|1956
|-
|
|Democratic
|Mississippi
|1956
|1978
|-
|
|Democratic
|Massachusetts
|1978
|1981
|-
|
|Republican
|South Carolina
|1981
|1987
|-
|
|Democratic
|Delaware
|1987
|1995
|-
|
|Republican
|Utah
|1995
|2001
|-
|
|Democratic
|Vermont
|colspan=2 align=center |2001
|-
|
|Republican
|Utah
|colspan=2 align=center |2001
|-
|
|Democratic
|Vermont
|2001
|2003
|-
|
|Republican
|Utah
|2003
|2005
|-
|
|Republican
|Pennsylvania
|2005
|2007
|-
|
|Democratic
|Vermont
|2007
|2015
|-
|
|Republican
|Iowa
|2015
|2019
|-
|
|Republican
|South Carolina
|2019
|2021
|-
|
|Democratic
|Illinois
|2021
|2025
|-
|
|Republican
|Iowa
|2025
|present
|}
Ranking members
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Name
!Party
!State
!Start
!End
|-
|
|Democratic
|Nevada
|1947
|1949
|-
|
|Republican
|Wisconsin
|1949
|1953
|-
|
|Democratic
|Nevada
|1953
|1955
|-
|
|Republican
|Wisconsin
|1955
|1963
|-
|
|Republican
|Illinois
|1963
|1969
|-
|
|Republican
|Nebraska
|1969
|1976
|-
|
|Republican
|South Carolina
|1977
|1981
|-
|
|Democratic
|Delaware
|1981
|1987
|-
|
|Republican
|South Carolina
|1987
|1993
|-
|
|Republican
|Utah
|1993
|1995
|-
|
|Democratic
|Delaware
|1995
|1997
|-
|
|Democratic
|Vermont
|1997
|2001
|-
|
|Republican
|Utah
|2001
|2003
|-
|
|Democratic
|Vermont
|2003
|2007
|-
|
|Republican
|Pennsylvania
|2007
|2009
|-
|
|Republican
|Alabama
|2009
|2011
|-
|
|Republican
|Iowa
|2011
|2015
|-
|
|Democratic
|Vermont
|2015
|2017
|-
|
|Democratic
|Illinois
|2017
|2021
|-
|
|Republican
|Iowa
|2021
|2023
|-
|
|Republican
|South Carolina
|2023
|2025
|-
|
|Democratic
|Illinois
|2025
|present
|}
Historical committee rosters
118th Congress
;(January 3, 2023 – January 3, 2025)
;
{|class="wikitable"
!Majority
!Minority
|-
| valign="top" |
- Dick Durbin, Illinois, Chair
- Dianne Feinstein, California (until September 29, 2023)
- Sheldon Whitehouse, Rhode Island
- Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota
- Chris Coons, Delaware
- Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut
- Mazie Hirono, Hawaii
- Cory Booker, New Jersey
- Alex Padilla, California
- Jon Ossoff, Georgia
- Peter Welch, Vermont
- Laphonza Butler, California (October 17, 2023–December 8, 2024)
- Adam Schiff, California (from December 10, 2024)
| valign="top" |
- Lindsey Graham, South Carolina, Ranking Member
- Chuck Grassley, Iowa
- John Cornyn, Texas
- Mike Lee, Utah
- Ted Cruz, Texas
- Josh Hawley, Missouri
- Tom Cotton, Arkansas
- John Kennedy, Louisiana
- Thom Tillis, North Carolina
- Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee
|}
Subcommittees
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Subcommittee
!Chair
!Ranking Member
|-
|Competition Policy, Antitrust and Consumer Rights
|Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
|Mike Lee (R-UT)
|-
|The Constitution
|Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) (until September 29, 2023)<br>Laphonza Butler (D-CA) (from October 17, 2023)
|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
|Jon Ossoff (D-GA)
|Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)
|-
|Immigration, Citizenship and Border Safety
|Alex Padilla (D-CA)
|John Cornyn (R-TX)
|-
|Intellectual Property
|Chris Coons (D-DE)
|Thom Tillis (R-NC)
|-
|Privacy, Technology and the Law
|Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)
|Josh Hawley (R-MO)
|}
117th Congress
;(January 3, 2021 – January 3, 2023)
{|class="wikitable"
!Majority
!Minority
|-
| valign="top" |
- Dick Durbin, Illinois, Chair
- Patrick Leahy, Vermont
- Dianne Feinstein, California
- Sheldon Whitehouse, Rhode Island
- Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota
- Chris Coons, Delaware
- Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut
- Mazie Hirono, Hawaii
- Cory Booker, New Jersey
- Alex Padilla, California
- Jon Ossoff, Georgia
| valign="top" |
- Chuck Grassley, Iowa, Ranking Member
- Lindsey Graham, South Carolina
- John Cornyn, Texas
- Mike Lee, Utah
- Ted Cruz, Texas
- Ben Sasse, Nebraska
- Josh Hawley, Missouri
- Tom Cotton, Arkansas
- John Kennedy, Louisiana
- Thom Tillis, North Carolina
- Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee
|}
Subcommittees
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!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)
{|class=wikitable
|-
!Majority
!Minority
|-
| valign=top |
- Lindsey Graham, South Carolina, Chair
- Chuck Grassley, Iowa
- John Cornyn, Texas
- Mike Lee, Utah
- Ted Cruz, Texas
- Ben Sasse, Nebraska
- Josh Hawley, Missouri
- Thom Tillis, North Carolina
- Joni Ernst, Iowa
- Mike Crapo, Idaho
- John Kennedy, Louisiana
- Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee
{|class=wikitable style=nowrap
|-
!Majority
!Minority
|-
| valign=top |
- Chuck Grassley, Iowa, Chair
- Orrin Hatch, Utah
- Lindsey Graham, South Carolina
- John Cornyn, Texas
- Mike Lee, Utah
- Ted Cruz, Texas
- Ben Sasse, Nebraska
- Jeff Flake, Arizona
- Mike Crapo, Idaho
- Thom Tillis, North Carolina
- John Kennedy, Louisiana
| valign=top |
- Dianne Feinstein, California, Ranking Member
- Patrick Leahy, Vermont
- Dick Durbin, Illinois
- Sheldon Whitehouse, Rhode Island
- Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota
- Chris Coons, Delaware
- Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut
- Mazie Hirono, Hawaii
- Cory 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 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
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!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)<br>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)<br>Al Franken (D-MN) (until January 2, 2018)
|-
|The Constitution
|Ted Cruz (R-TX)
|Mazie Hirono (D-HI) (from January 9, 2018)<br>Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) (until January 9, 2018)
|}
114th Congress
;(January 3, 2015 – January 3, 2017)
{|class=wikitable
|-
!Majority
!Minority
|-
| valign=top |
- Chuck Grassley, Iowa, Chair
- Orrin Hatch, Utah
- Jeff Sessions, Alabama
- Lindsey Graham, South Carolina
- John Cornyn, Texas
- Mike Lee, Utah
- Ted Cruz, Texas
- Jeff Flake, Arizona
- David Vitter, Louisiana
- David Perdue, Georgia
- Thom Tillis, North Carolina
| valign=top |
- Patrick Leahy, Vermont, Ranking Member
- Dianne Feinstein, California
- Chuck Schumer, New York
- Dick Durbin, Illinois
- Sheldon Whitehouse, Rhode Island
- Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota
- Al Franken, Minnesota
- Chris Coons, Delaware
- Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut
|}
;Subcommittees
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Subcommittee
!Chair
!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)
{|class=wikitable
|-
!Majority
!Minority
|-
| valign=top |
- Patrick Leahy, Vermont, Chair
- Dianne Feinstein, California
- Chuck Schumer, New York
- Dick Durbin, Illinois
- Sheldon Whitehouse, Rhode Island
- Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota
- Al Franken, Minnesota
- Chris Coons, Delaware
- Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut
- Mazie Hirono, Hawaii
| valign=top |
- Chuck Grassley, Iowa, Ranking Member
- Orrin Hatch, Utah
- Jeff Sessions, Alabama
- Lindsey Graham, South Carolina
- John Cornyn, Texas
- Mike Lee, Utah
- Ted Cruz, Texas
- Jeff Flake, Arizona
|}
;Subcommittees
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Subcommittee
!Chair
!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)
{|class=wikitable
|-
!Majority
!Minority
|-
| valign=top |
- Patrick Leahy, Vermont, Chair
- Herb Kohl, Wisconsin
- Dianne Feinstein, California
- Chuck Schumer, New York
- Dick Durbin, Illinois
- Sheldon Whitehouse, Rhode Island
- Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota
- Al Franken, Minnesota
- Chris Coons, Delaware
- Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut
| valign=top |
- Chuck Grassley, Iowa, Ranking Member
- Orrin Hatch, Utah
- Jon Kyl, Arizona
- Jeff Sessions, Alabama
- Lindsey Graham, South Carolina
- Mike Lee, Utah
- Tom Coburn, Oklahoma
|}
;Subcommittees
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Subcommittee
!Chair
!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)
{|class=wikitable
|-
!Majority
!Minority
|-
| valign=top |
- Patrick Leahy, Vermont, Chair
- Herb Kohl, Wisconsin
- Dianne Feinstein, California
- Russ Feingold, Wisconsin
- Chuck Schumer, New York
- Dick Durbin, Illinois
- Ben Cardin, Maryland
- Sheldon Whitehouse, Rhode Island
- Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota
- Ted Kaufman, Delaware (until November 15, 2010)
- Arlen Specter, Pennsylvania
- Al Franken, Minnesota
- Chris Coons, Delaware (from November 15, 2010)
| valign=top |
- Jeff Sessions, Alabama, Ranking Member
- Orrin Hatch, Utah
- Chuck Grassley, Iowa
- Jon Kyl, Arizona
- Lindsey Graham, South Carolina
- John Cornyn, Texas
- Tom Coburn, Oklahoma
|}
;Subcommittees
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Subcommittee
!Chair
!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
- United States House Committee on the Judiciary
- List of United States Senate committees
References
External links
- United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary Official Website (Archive)
- Senate Judiciary Committee. Legislation activity and reports, Congress.gov.