Title: What is a Senate Committee |  Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee
Headings: 
What is a Senate Committee?
Content: Subcommittees are formed to share specific tasks within the jurisdiction of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Subcommittees are responsive to the full committee and must work within the rules and guidelines established by the full committee. Subcommittees each have chairman and ranking member who are responsible for calling hearings and introducing legislation that fall within the jurisdiction of the subcommittee. Click here for a list of subcommittees under the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. How is legislation brought to the committee? When a Senator introduces a bill, the Senate Parliamentarian is responsible for assigning that legislation to a committee or committees whose jurisdiction covers the issues in the new law. The Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee has broad jurisdiction that covers issues ranging from oversight of our homeland security efforts to the operation and management of the federal government. What role does the committee play in reviewing legislation? After a bill is referred to the committee, the Chairman decides whether or not to hold one or more hearings in order to examine the proposed legislation’s provisions and potential impact. Expert witnesses from government and the private and not-for profit sectors are usually invited by the committee to testify on the merits of the proposal.