The Committee on Armed Services , sometimes abbreviated SASC for Senate Armed Services Committee , is a committee of the United States Senate empowered with legislative oversight of the nation's military , including the Department of Defense , military research and development, nuclear energy (as pertaining to national security), benefits for members of the military, the Selective Service System, and other matters related to defense policy. The Armed Services Committee was created as a result of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 following the U.S. victory in World War II. The bill merged the responsibilities of the Committee on Naval Affairs , established in 1816, and the Committee on Military Affairs , also established in 1816.
Senate Armed Services Committee Standing committee Active United States Senate History Formed January 2, 1947 Leadership Chair Roger Wicker (R) Ranking member Jack Reed (D) Structure Seats 27 members Political parties Majority (14)
Minority (13)
Democratic (12) Independent (1)Jurisdiction Policy areas Defense policy , military operationsOversight authority Department of Defense , Armed ForcesHouse counterpart House Armed Services Committee Website www
Considered one of the most powerful Senate committees, its broad mandate allowed it to report some of the most extensive and revolutionary legislation during the Cold War years, including the National Security Act of 1947 . The committee tends to take a more bipartisan approach than other committees, as many of its members formerly served in the military or have major defense interests located in the states they represent. The committee's regular legislative product is the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which has been passed by Congress and signed into law annually since 1962.
The current chair is Republican Roger Wicker of Mississippi, and the ranking member is Democrat Jack Reed of Rhode Island.
Jurisdiction According to the Standing Rules of the United States Senate , all proposed legislation, messages, petitions, memorials, and other matters relating to the following subjects are referred to the Armed Services Committee:
Aeronautical and space activities pertaining to or primarily associated with the development of weapons systems or military operations. Common defense. Department of Defense, the Department of the Army, the Department of the Navy, and the Department of the Air Force, generally. Maintenance and operation of the Panama Canal, including administration, sanitation, and government of the Canal Zone. Military research and development. National security aspects of nuclear energy. Naval petroleum reserves, except those in Alaska. Pay, promotion, retirement, and other benefits and privileges of members of the Armed Forces, including overseas education of civilian and military dependents. Selective service system. Strategic and critical materials necessary for the common defense.
Majority Minority Roger Wicker, Mississippi, Chair Deb Fischer, Nebraska Tom Cotton, Arkansas Mike Rounds, South Dakota Joni Ernst, Iowa Dan Sullivan, Alaska Kevin Cramer, North Dakota Rick Scott, Florida Tommy Tuberville, Alabama Markwayne Mullin, Oklahoma Ted Budd, North Carolina Eric Schmitt, Missouri Jim Banks, Indiana Tim Sheehy, Montana Jack Reed, Rhode Island, Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen, New Hampshire Kirsten Gillibrand, New York Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut Mazie Hirono, Hawaii Tim Kaine, Virginia Angus King, Maine Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts Gary Peters, Michigan Tammy Duckworth, Illinois Jacky Rosen, Nevada Mark Kelly, Arizona Elissa Slotkin, Michigan
Subcommittees Subcommittee Name Chair Ranking Member Airland Kevin Cramer (R-ND) Mark Kelly (D-AZ) Cybersecurity Mike Rounds (R-SD) Jacky Rosen (D-NV) Emerging Threats and Capabilities Joni Ernst (R-IA) Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) Personnel Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) Readiness and Management Support Dan Sullivan (R-AK) Mazie Hirono (D-HI) Seapower Rick Scott (R-FL) Tim Kaine (D-VA) Strategic Forces Deb Fischer (R-NE) Angus King (I-ME)
Leadership
Name Party State Start End John Williams Democratic-Republican Tennessee 1816 1817 George Troup Democratic-Republican Georgia 1817 1818 John Williams Democratic-Republican Tennessee 1818 1823 Andrew Jackson Jackson Democratic-Republican Tennessee 1823 1825 William Harrison Adams Republican Ohio 1825 1828 Thomas Benton Jacksonian Missouri 1828 1841 Democratic William Preston Whig South Carolina 1841 1842 John Crittenden Whig Kentucky 1842 1845 Thomas Benton Democratic Missouri 1845 1849 Jefferson Davis Democratic Mississippi 1849 1851 James Shields Democratic Illinois 1851 1855 John Weller Democratic California 1855 1857 Jefferson Davis Democratic Mississippi 1857 1861 Robert Johnson Democratic Arkansas 1861 Henry Wilson Republican Massachusetts 1861 1872 John Logan Republican Illinois 1872 1877 George Spencer Republican Alabama 1877 1879 Theodore Randolph Democratic New Jersey 1879 1881 John Logan Republican Illinois 1881 1886 Joseph Hawley Republican Connecticut 1887 1893 Edward Walthall Democratic Mississippi 1893 1894 Joseph Hawley Republican Connecticut 1894 1905 Francis Warren Republican Wyoming 1905 1911 Henry du Pont Republican Delaware 1911 1913 Joseph Johnston Democratic Alabama 1913 George Chamberlain Democratic Oregon 1913 1919 James Wadsworth Republican New York 1919 1927 David Reed Republican Pennsylvania 1927 1933 Morris Sheppard Democratic Texas 1933 1941 Robert Reynolds Democratic North Carolina 1942 1945 Elbert Thomas Democratic Utah 1945 1947
Name Party State Start End Charles Tait Democratic-Republican Georgia 1816 1818 Nathan Sanford Democratic-Republican New York 1818 1819 James Pleasants Democratic-Republican Virginia 1819 1823 James Lloyd Adams-Clay Federalist Massachusetts 1823 1825 Robert Hayne Jacksonian South Carolina 1825 1832 George Dallas Jacksonian Pennsylvania 1832 1833 Samuel Southard Anti-Jackson New Jersey 1833 1836 William Rives Jacksonian Virginia 1836 1839 Democratic Reuel Williams Democratic Maine 1839 1841 Willie Mangum Whig North Carolina 1841 1842 Richard Bayard Whig Delaware 1842 1845 John Fairfield Democratic Maine 1845 1847 David Yulee Democratic Florida 1847 1851 William Gwin Democratic California 1851 1855 Stephen Mallory Democratic Florida 1855 1861 John Thomson Democratic New Jersey 1861 John Hale Republican New Hampshire 1861 1864 James Grimes Republican Iowa 1864 1870 Aaron Cragin Republican New Hampshire 1870 1877 Aaron Sargent Republican California 1877 1879 John McPherson Democratic New Jersey 1879 1881 James Cameron Republican Pennsylvania 1881 1893 John McPherson Democratic New Jersey 1893 1895 James Cameron Republican Pennsylvania 1895 1897 Eugene Hale Republican Maine 1897 1909 George Perkins Republican California 1909 1913 Benjamin Tillman Democratic South Carolina 1913 1918 Claude Swanson Democratic Virginia 1918 1919 Carroll Page Republican Vermont 1919 1923 Frederick Hale Republican Maine 1923 1933 Park Trammell Democratic Florida 1933 1937 David Walsh Democratic Massachusetts 1937 1947
Chairs Name Party State Start End Chan Gurney Republican South Dakota 1947 1949 Millard Tydings Democratic Maryland 1949 1951 Richard Russell Democratic Georgia 1951 1953 Leverett Saltonstall Republican Massachusetts 1953 1955 Richard Russell Democratic Georgia 1955 1969 John Stennis Democratic Mississippi 1969 1981 John Tower Republican Texas 1981 1985 Barry Goldwater Republican Arizona 1985 1987 Sam Nunn Democratic Georgia 1987 1995 Strom Thurmond Republican South Carolina 1995 1999 John Warner Republican Virginia 1999 2001 Carl Levin Democratic Michigan 2001 John Warner Republican Virginia 2001 Carl Levin Democratic Michigan 2001 2003 John Warner Republican Virginia 2003 2007 Carl Levin Democratic Michigan 2007 2015 John McCain Republican Arizona 2015 2018 Jim Inhofe Republican Oklahoma 2017 2018 2018 2021 Jack Reed Democratic Rhode Island 2021 2025 Roger Wicker Republican Mississippi 2025 present
Ranking members Name Party State Start End Millard Tydings Democratic Maryland 1947 1949 Styles Bridges Republican New Hampshire 1949 1953 Richard Russell Democratic Georgia 1953 1955 Styles Bridges Republican New Hampshire 1955 1963 Leverett Saltonstall Republican Massachusetts 1963 1967 Margaret Smith Republican Maine 1967 1973 Strom Thurmond Republican South Carolina 1973 1977 John Tower Republican Texas 1977 1981 John Stennis Democratic Mississippi 1981 1983 Scoop Jackson Democratic Washington 1983 Sam Nunn Democratic Georgia 1983 1987 John Warner Republican Virginia 1987 1993 Strom Thurmond Republican South Carolina 1993 1995 Sam Nunn Democratic Georgia 1995 1997 Carl Levin Democratic Michigan 1997 2001 John Warner Republican Virginia 2001 2003 Carl Levin Democratic Michigan 2003 2007 John McCain Republican Arizona 2007 2015 Jim Inhofe Republican Oklahoma 2013 2015 Jack Reed Democratic Rhode Island 2015 2021 Jim Inhofe Republican Oklahoma 2021 2023 Roger Wicker Republican Mississippi 2023 2025 Jack Reed Democratic Rhode Island 2025 present
Historical committee rosters
111th Congress Majority Minority Carl Levin, Michigan, Chair Joseph Lieberman, Connecticut Jack Reed, Rhode Island Daniel Akaka, Hawaii Bill Nelson, Florida Ben Nelson, Nebraska Evan Bayh, Indiana Jim Webb, Virginia Claire McCaskill, Missouri Mark Udall, Colorado Kay Hagan, North Carolina Mark Begich, Alaska Roland Burris, Illinois, until November 2010 Jeff Bingaman, New Mexico Ted Kaufman, Delaware, until November 2010 Carte Goodwin, West Virginia, until November 2010 Joe Manchin, West Virginia, from November 2010 Chris Coons, Delaware, from November 2010 John McCain, Arizona, Ranking Member James Inhofe, Oklahoma Jeff Sessions, Alabama Saxby Chambliss, Georgia Lindsey Graham, South Carolina John Thune, South Dakota Roger Wicker, Mississippi George LeMieux, Florida Scott Brown, Massachusetts Richard Burr, North Carolina David Vitter, Louisiana Susan Collins, Maine
Source: 2010 Congressional Record, Vol. 156, Page S6226
Subcommittees Subcommittee Chair Ranking Minority Member Airland Joe Lieberman (I-CT) John Thune (R-SD) Emerging Threats and Capabilities Bill Nelson (D-FL) George LeMieux (R-FL) Personnel Jim Webb (D-VA) Lindsey Graham (R-SC) Readiness and Management Support Evan Bayh (D-IN) Richard Burr (R-NC) SeaPower Jack Reed (D-RI) Roger Wicker (R-MS) Strategic Forces Ben Nelson (D-NE) David Vitter (R-LA)
112th Congress Majority Minority Carl Levin, Michigan, Chair Joseph Lieberman, Connecticut Jack Reed, Rhode Island Daniel Akaka, Hawaii Ben Nelson, Nebraska Jim Webb, Virginia Claire McCaskill, Missouri Mark Udall, Colorado Kay Hagan, North Carolina Mark Begich, Alaska Joe Manchin, West Virginia Jeanne Shaheen, New Hampshire Kirsten Gillibrand, New York Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut John McCain, Arizona, Ranking Member James Inhofe, Oklahoma Jeff Sessions, Alabama Saxby Chambliss, Georgia Roger Wicker, Mississippi Scott Brown, Massachusetts Rob Portman, Ohio Kelly Ayotte, New Hampshire Susan Collins, Maine Lindsey Graham, South Carolina John Cornyn, Texas David Vitter, Louisiana
Source: 2011 Congressional Record, Vol. 157, Page S557
Subcommittees Subcommittee Chair Ranking Member Airland Joe Lieberman (I-CT) Scott Brown (R-MA) Emerging Threats and Capabilities Kay Hagan (D-NC) Rob Portman (R-OH) Personnel Jim Webb (D-VA) Lindsey Graham (R-SC) Readiness and Management Support Claire McCaskill (D-MO) Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) Seapower Jack Reed (D-RI) Roger Wicker (R-MS) Strategic Forces Ben Nelson (D-NE) Jeff Sessions (R-AL)
113th Congress Majority Minority Carl Levin, Michigan, Chair Jack Reed, Rhode Island Bill Nelson, Florida Claire McCaskill, Missouri Mark Udall, Colorado Kay Hagan, North Carolina Joe Manchin, West Virginia Jeanne Shaheen, New Hampshire Kirsten Gillibrand, New York Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut Joe Donnelly, Indiana Mazie Hirono, Hawaii Tim Kaine, Virginia Angus King, Maine James Inhofe, Oklahoma, Ranking Member John McCain, Arizona Jeff Sessions, Alabama Saxby Chambliss, Georgia Roger Wicker, Mississippi Kelly Ayotte, New Hampshire Deb Fischer, Nebraska Lindsey Graham, South Carolina David Vitter, Louisiana Roy Blunt, Missouri Mike Lee, Utah Ted Cruz, Texas
Source: 2013 Congressional Record, Vol. 159, Page S296
Subcommittees Subcommittee Chair Ranking Member Airland Joe Manchin (D-WV) Roger Wicker (R-MS) Emerging Threats and Capabilities Kay Hagan (D-NC) Deb Fischer (R-NE) Personnel Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) Lindsey Graham (R-SC) Readiness and Management Support Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) Seapower Jack Reed (D-RI) John McCain (R-AZ) Strategic Forces Mark Udall (D-CO) Jeff Sessions (R-AL)
114th Congress Majority Minority John McCain, Arizona, Chair Jim Inhofe, Oklahoma Jeff Sessions, Alabama Roger Wicker, Mississippi Kelly Ayotte, New Hampshire Deb Fischer, Nebraska Tom Cotton, Arkansas Mike Rounds, South Dakota Joni Ernst, Iowa Thom Tillis, North Carolina Dan Sullivan, Alaska Mike Lee, Utah Lindsey Graham, South Carolina Ted Cruz, Texas Jack Reed, Rhode Island, Ranking Member Bill Nelson, Florida Claire McCaskill, Missouri Joe Manchin, West Virginia Jeanne Shaheen, New Hampshire Kirsten Gillibrand, New York Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut Joe Donnelly, Indiana Mazie Hirono, Hawaii Tim Kaine, Virginia Angus King, Maine Martin Heinrich, New Mexico
Subcommittee Chair Ranking Member Airland Tom Cotton (R-AR) Joe Manchin (D-WV) Emerging Threats and Capabilities Deb Fischer (R-NE) Bill Nelson (D-FL) Personnel Lindsey Graham (R-SC) Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) Readiness and Management Support Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) Tim Kaine (D-VA) Seapower Roger Wicker (R-MS) Mazie Hirono (D-HI) Strategic Forces Jeff Sessions (R-AL) Joe Donnelly (D-IN)
115th Congress Majority Minority Jim Inhofe, Oklahoma, Chair (from September 6, 2018) John McCain, Arizona, Chair (until August 25, 2018) Roger Wicker, Mississippi Deb Fischer, Nebraska Tom Cotton, Arkansas Mike Rounds, South Dakota Joni Ernst, Iowa Thom Tillis, North Carolina Dan Sullivan, Alaska David Perdue, Georgia Ted Cruz, Texas Lindsey Graham, South Carolina Ben Sasse, Nebraska Tim Scott, South Carolina Jon Kyl, Arizona (from September 6, 2018) Jack Reed, Rhode Island, Ranking Member Bill Nelson, Florida Claire McCaskill, Missouri Jeanne Shaheen, New Hampshire Kirsten Gillibrand, New York Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut Joe Donnelly, Indiana Mazie Hirono, Hawaii Tim Kaine, Virginia Angus King, Maine Martin Heinrich, New Mexico Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts Gary Peters, Michigan
116th Congress Majority Minority Jim Inhofe, Oklahoma, Chair Roger Wicker, Mississippi Deb Fischer, Nebraska Tom Cotton, Arkansas Mike Rounds, South Dakota Joni Ernst, Iowa Thom Tillis, North Carolina Dan Sullivan, Alaska David Perdue, Georgia Kevin Cramer, North Dakota Martha McSally, Arizona (until December 2, 2020) Rick Scott, Florida Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee Josh Hawley, Missouri Jack Reed, Rhode Island, Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen, New Hampshire Kirsten Gillibrand, New York Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut Mazie Hirono, Hawaii Tim Kaine, Virginia Angus King, Maine Martin Heinrich, New Mexico Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts Gary Peters, Michigan Joe Manchin, West Virginia Tammy Duckworth, Illinois Doug Jones, Alabama
117th Congress Majority Minority Jack Reed, Rhode Island, Chair Jeanne Shaheen, New Hampshire Kirsten Gillibrand, New York Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut Mazie Hirono, Hawaii Tim Kaine, Virginia Angus King, Maine Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts Gary Peters, Michigan Joe Manchin, West Virginia Tammy Duckworth, Illinois Jacky Rosen, Nevada Mark Kelly, Arizona Jim Inhofe, Oklahoma, Ranking Member Roger Wicker, Mississippi Deb Fischer, Nebraska Tom Cotton, Arkansas Mike Rounds, South Dakota Joni Ernst, Iowa Thom Tillis, North Carolina Dan Sullivan, Alaska Kevin Cramer, North Dakota Rick Scott, Florida Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee Josh Hawley, Missouri Tommy Tuberville, Alabama
Source:
118th Congress Majority Minority Jack Reed, Rhode Island, Chair Jeanne Shaheen, New Hampshire Kirsten Gillibrand, New York Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut Mazie Hirono, Hawaii Tim Kaine, Virginia Angus King, Maine Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts Gary Peters, Michigan Joe Manchin, West Virginia Tammy Duckworth, Illinois Jacky Rosen, Nevada Mark Kelly, Arizona Roger Wicker, Mississippi, Ranking Member Deb Fischer, Nebraska Tom Cotton, Arkansas Mike Rounds, South Dakota Joni Ernst, Iowa Dan Sullivan, Alaska Kevin Cramer, North Dakota Rick Scott, Florida Tommy Tuberville, Alabama Markwayne Mullin, Oklahoma Ted Budd, North Carolina Eric Schmitt, Missouri
See also
"History | United States Senate Committee on Armed Services". www.armed-services.senate.gov . Retrieved January 22, 2025 . Steinhauer, Jennifer. "With Chairmanship, McCain Seizes Chance to Reshape Pentagon Agenda", The New York Times (June 9, 2015). Retrieved June 10, 2015. "History of the NDAA". February 3, 2017. Rule XXV: Committees, Standing Rules of the United States Senate. S.Res. 16 (119th Congress) S.Res. 17 (119th Congress) Independent Senator caucusing with Democrats "U.S. Senate: Committee on Armed Services". www.senate.gov . Retrieved February 1, 2025 . Died August 8, 1913. At the beginning of the 107th Congress in January 2001 the Senate was evenly divided. With a Democratic president and vice president still serving until January 20, the Democratic vice president was available to break a tie, and the Democrats thus controlled the Senate for 17 days, from January 3 to January 20. On January 3 the Senate adopted S. Res. 7 designating Democratic senators as committee chairs to serve during this period and Republican chairs to serve effective at noon on January 20, 2001. On June 6, 2001, the Democrats took control of the Senate after Senator James Jeffords (VT) changed from the Republican Party to Independent and announced that he would caucus with the Democrats. On leave from December 2017. Died August 25, 2018. "U.S. Senate: Committee on Armed Services". Senate.gov . Retrieved January 7, 2017 . S.Res. 30 (118th Congress) S.Res. 31 (118th Congress)