US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations

COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS
MEMBERSHIP AND JURISDICTION
OF SUBCOMMITTEES

(February 13, 2013)

(The chairman and ranking member of the full committee are ex officio members of each subcommittee on which they do not serve as members.)

(Subcommittees are listed in the order of chairmen's seniority within the full committee.)

SUBCOMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS, HUMAN RIGHTS, DEMOCRACY, AND GLOBAL WOMEN'S ISSUES

Jurisdiction:

The subcommittee's responsibilities include all matters involving international operations and organizations, human rights, democracy, and global women's issues.  This jurisdiction includes the general oversight responsibility for the Department of State, the Broadcasting Board of Governors, the Foreign Service, and public diplomacy.  It also includes oversight responsibility for United States participation in the United Nations, its affiliated organizations, and other international organizations not under the jurisdiction of other subcommittees.  Finally, it includes general oversight responsibility for U.S. policy in promoting democracy and human rights abroad.

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SUBCOMMITTEE ON EAST ASIAN AND PACIFIC AFFAIRS

Jurisdiction:

The subcommittee has geographic responsibilities corresponding to those of the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs in the Department of State and considers all matters concerning U.S. relations with the countries of that region.  It also considers matters related to regional organizations such as the Association of South East Asian Nations and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.

This subcommittee's responsibilities include all matters within the geographic region relating to: (1) terrorism and non-proliferation; (2) crime and illicit narcotics; (3) U.S. foreign assistance programs; and (4) the promotion of U.S. trade and exports.

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SUBCOMMITTEE ON NEAR EASTERN AND SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIAN AFFAIRS

Jurisdiction:

This subcommittee deals with all matters concerning U.S. relations with the countries of the Middle East and Arab North Africa.  This subcommittee's geographic responsibilities also encompass U.S. relations with the countries of South and Central Asia, corresponding to the jurisdiction of the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs in the Department of State.

This subcommittee's responsibilities include all matters within the geographic region relating to: (1) terrorism and non-proliferation; (2) crime and illicit narcotics; (3) U.S. foreign assistance programs; and (4) the promotion of U.S. trade and exports.

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SUBCOMMITTEE ON AFRICAN AFFAIRS

Jurisdiction:

The subcommittee has geographic responsibilities corresponding to those of the Bureau of African Affairs in the Department of State.  It considers all matters concerning U.S. relations with countries in Africa, with the exception of countries bordering on the Mediterranean Sea from Egypt to Morocco, which are under the jurisdiction of the Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs.

This subcommittee's responsibilities include all matters within the geographic region relating to: (1) terrorism and non-proliferation; (2) crime and illicit narcotics; (3) U.S. foreign assistance programs; and (4) the promotion of U.S. trade and exports.

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SUBCOMMITTEE ON WESTERN HEMISPHERE AND GLOBAL NARCOTICS AFFAIRS

Jurisdiction:

This subcommittee deals with U.S. relations with the  nations of the Western Hemisphere, including Canada and the nations of the Caribbean.  The subcommittee also deals with boundary matters, and U.S. policy with regard to the Organization of American States.  This subcommittee's responsibilities include all matters within the geographic region relating to (1) terrorism and non-proliferation; (2) U.S. foreign assistance programs; and (3) the promotion of U.S. trade and exports.

This subcommittee also exercises general oversight over all U.S. foreign policy programs and international cooperative efforts to combat the flow of illegal drugs or substances.

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SUBCOMMITTEE ON EUROPEAN AFFAIRS

Jurisdiction:

The subcommittee deals with all matters concerning U.S. relations with the countries on the continent of Europe (except the states of Central Asia that are within the jurisdiction of the Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs), and with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the European Union and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Matters relating to Greenland and the northern polar region are also the responsibility of this subcommittee.

This subcommittee's responsibilities include all matters within the geographic region relating to: (1) terrorism and non-proliferation; (2) crime and illicit narcotics; (3) U.S. foreign assistance programs; and (4) the promotion of U.S. trade and exports.

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SUBCOMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND FOREIGN ASSISTANCE, ECONOMIC AFFAIRS, INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, AND PEACE CORPS

Jurisdiction:

The subcommittee's responsibilities include general oversight responsibility for U.S. development policy and foreign assistance programs.  It includes U.S. bilateral humanitarian, development, economic, trade and security assistance programs carried out by the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, and other U.S. agencies, and U.S. voluntary contributions to international organizations providing assistance to foreign nations.

It also includes matters related to: (1) international monetary policy, including U.S. participation in international financial institutions; (2) U.S. foreign economic policy, including export enhancement and trade promotion; and (3) international investment, protection of intellectual property, and technological transfer.

Finally, the subcommittee is responsible for matters related to all of the activities and programs of the Peace Corps, international energy security, and international environmental protection, including the oceans and space.