United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary

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Senate Judiciary Committee
Standing committee
Active
Seal of the United States Senate.svg
United States Senate
119th Congress
History
FormedDecember 10, 1816
Leadership
Chair Chuck Grassley (R)
Since January 3, 2025
Ranking member Dick Durbin (D)
Since January 3, 2025
Structure
Seats22 members
Political partiesMajority (12)
  •   Republican (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.
Dirksen226.jpg
Website
judiciary.senate.gov
Rules
    Sonia Sotomayor testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee on her nomination for the United States Supreme Court Sonia Sotomayor on first day of confirmation hearings.jpg
    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 [1] whose role is to oversee the Department of Justice (DOJ), consider executive and judicial nominations, and review pending legislation. [2] [3]

    Contents

    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. [2] [4]

    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. [5]

    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).

    Members, 119th Congress

    (January 3, 2025 – January 3, 2027)
    Majority [7] Minority [8]

    Subcommittees

    Subcommittee [9] ChairRanking 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

    NamePartyStateStartEnd
    Dudley Chase Democratic-Republican Vermont 18161817
    John Crittenden Democratic-Republican Kentucky 18171818
    James Burrill Federalist Rhode Island 18181819
    William Smith Democratic-Republican South Carolina 18191823
    Martin Van Buren Democratic-Republican New York 18231828
    John Berrien Jacksonian Georgia 18281829
    John Rowan Democratic-Republican Kentucky 18291831
    William Marcy Jacksonian New York 18311832
    William Wilkins Jacksonian Pennsylvania 18321833
    John Clayton Anti-Jacksonian Delaware 18331836
    Felix Grundy Jacksonian Tennessee 18361838
    Garret Wall Democratic New Jersey 18381841
    John Berrien Whig Georgia 18411845
    Chester Ashley Democratic Arkansas 18451847
    Andrew Butler Democratic South Carolina 18471857
    James Bayard Democratic Delaware 18571861
    Lyman Trumbull Republican Illinois 18611872
    George Wright Republican Iowa 1872
    George Edmunds Republican Vermont 18721879
    Allen Thurman Democratic Ohio 18791881
    George Edmunds Republican Vermont 18811891
    George Hoar Republican Massachusetts 18911893
    James Pugh Democratic Alabama 18931895
    George Hoar Republican Massachusetts 18951904
    Orville Platt Republican Connecticut 19041905
    Clarence Clark Republican Wyoming 19051912
    Charles Culberson Democratic Texas 19121919
    Knute Nelson Republican Minnesota 19191923
    Frank Brandegee Republican Connecticut 19231924
    Albert Cummins Republican Iowa 19241926
    George Norris Republican Nebraska 19261933
    Henry Ashurst Democratic Arizona 19331941
    Frederick Van Nuys Democratic Indiana 19411945
    Pat McCarran Democratic Nevada 19451947
    Alexander Wiley Republican Wisconsin 19471949
    Pat McCarran Democratic Nevada 19491953
    William Langer Republican North Dakota 19531955
    Harley Kilgore Democratic West Virginia 19551956
    James Eastland Democratic Mississippi 19561978
    Ted Kennedy Democratic Massachusetts 19781981
    Strom Thurmond Republican South Carolina 19811987
    Joe Biden Democratic Delaware 19871995
    Orrin Hatch Republican Utah 19952001
    Patrick Leahy [10] Democratic Vermont 2001
    Orrin Hatch Republican Utah 2001
    Patrick Leahy [11] Democratic Vermont 20012003
    Orrin Hatch Republican Utah 20032005
    Arlen Specter Republican Pennsylvania 20052007
    Patrick Leahy Democratic Vermont 20072015
    Chuck Grassley Republican Iowa 20152019
    Lindsey Graham Republican South Carolina 20192021
    Dick Durbin Democratic Illinois 20212025
    Chuck Grassley Republican Iowa 2025present

    Ranking members

    NamePartyStateStartEnd
    Pat McCarran Democratic Nevada 19471949
    Alexander Wiley Republican Wisconsin 19491953
    Pat McCarran Democratic Nevada 19531955
    Alexander Wiley Republican Wisconsin 19551963
    Everett Dirksen Republican Illinois 19631969
    Roman Hruska Republican Nebraska 19691976
    Strom Thurmond Republican South Carolina 19771981
    Joe Biden Democratic Delaware 19811987
    Strom Thurmond Republican South Carolina 19871993
    Orrin Hatch Republican Utah 19931995
    Joe Biden Democratic Delaware 19951997
    Patrick Leahy Democratic Vermont 19972001
    Orrin Hatch Republican Utah 20012003
    Patrick Leahy Democratic Vermont 20032007
    Arlen Specter Republican Iowa 20072009
    Jeff Sessions Republican Alabama 20092011
    Chuck Grassley Republican Iowa 20112015
    Patrick Leahy Democratic Vermont 20152017
    Dick Durbin Democratic Illinois 20172021
    Chuck Grassley Republican Iowa 20212023
    Lindsey Graham Republican South Carolina 20232025
    Dick Durbin Democratic Illinois 2025present

    Historical committee rosters

    118th Congress

    (January 3, 2023 – January 3, 2025)
    Majority [12] Minority [13]

    Subcommittees

    SubcommitteeChairRanking 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)
    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)
    Majority [15] Minority

    Subcommittees

    SubcommitteeChairRanking 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)
    MajorityMinority
    Subcommittees
    SubcommitteeChairRanking 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)
    The Constitution Ted Cruz (R-TX) Mazie Hirono (D-HI)
    Crime and Terrorism Josh Hawley (R-MO) Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
    Intellectual Property Thom Tillis (R-NC) Chris Coons (D-DE)
    Oversight, Agency Action, Federal Rights and Federal Courts Ben Sasse (R-NE) Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)

    115th Congress

    (January 3, 2017 – January 3, 2019)

    [16] [17]

    MajorityMinority

    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
    SubcommitteeChairRanking 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)

    114th Congress

    (January 3, 2015 – January 3, 2017)

    [18]

    MajorityMinority
    Subcommittees
    SubcommitteeChairRanking 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)

    [19]

    MajorityMinority
    Subcommittees
    SubcommitteeChairRanking 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)

    [20]

    MajorityMinority
    Subcommittees
    SubcommitteeChairRanking 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)

    [21] [22]

    MajorityMinority
    Subcommittees
    SubcommitteeChairRanking 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

    References

    1. ↑ U.S. Senate: Committee on the Judiciary -- Committee Membership List
    2. 1 2 3 "Jurisdiction". United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary. Retrieved January 11, 2018.
    3. ↑ "Senate Committee on the Judiciary". GovTrack. Retrieved January 11, 2018.
    4. ↑ "Guide to Senate Records: Chapter 13 Judiciary 1947-1968". National Archives. August 15, 2016. Archived from the original on April 8, 2017. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
    5. ↑ "History". United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary. Archived from the original on April 8, 2017. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
    6. ↑ Elliott, Philip (January 26, 2022). "How Republicans Can Block Stephen Breyer's Replacement". Time. Archived from the original on January 27, 2022. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
    7. ↑ S.Res. 16, S.Res. 38 (119th Congress)
    8. ↑ S.Res. 17 (119th Congress)
    9. ↑ "Grassley, Durbin Announce Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Assignments for the 119th Congress". Committee on the Judiciary. February 3, 2025.
    10. ↑ 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.
    11. ↑ In June 2001, Republican Jim Jeffords declared himself an Independent and caucused with the Democrats, giving the Democrats majority control.
    12. ↑ S.Res. 30 (118th Congress)
    13. ↑ S.Res. 31 (118th Congress)
    14. ↑ "Majority Leader Schumer Announces New Senate Democratic Committee Assignments". Senate Democrats. October 17, 2023. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
    15. 1 2 "Members". United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
    16. ↑ 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 of Julie E. Adams, Secretary of the Senate. Washington: U.S. Government Publishing Office. pp. 20–21. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
    17. ↑ 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 of Julie E. Adams, Secretary of the Senate. Washington: U.S. Government Publishing Office. pp. 20–21. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
    18. ↑ 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 of Julie E. Adams, Secretary of the Senate. Washington: U.S. Government Publishing Office. pp. 20–21. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
    19. ↑ 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 of Nancy Erickson, Secretary of the Senate. Washington: U.S. Government Publishing Office. pp. 20–21. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
    20. ↑ 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 of Nancy Erickson, Secretary of the Senate. Washington: U.S. Government Publishing Office. pp. 20–21. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
    21. ↑ 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 of Nancy Erickson, Secretary of the Senate. Washington: U.S. Government Publishing Office. pp. 22–23. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
    22. ↑ 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 of Nancy Erickson, Secretary of the Senate. Washington: U.S. Government Publishing Office. pp. 22–23. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
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