Standing committee of the United States Senate
Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions CommitteeStanding committee |
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Active
United States Senate 118th Congress |
History |
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Formed | January 28, 1869 |
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Leadership |
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Chair | Bernie Sanders (I) Since January 3, 2023 |
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Ranking member | Bill Cassidy (R) Since January 3, 2023 |
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Structure |
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Seats | 21 |
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Political parties | Majority (11) Minority (10) |
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Jurisdiction |
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Oversight authority | Department of Education, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Labor |
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House counterpart | House Committee on Education and Labor |
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Meeting place |
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428 Senate Dirksen Office Building, Washington, D.C. |
Website |
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help.senate.gov |
Rules |
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- Rule XXV.1.(m), Standing Rules of the Senate
- Rules of Procedure U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary
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The United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) generally considers matters relating to these issues. Its jurisdiction also extends beyond these issues to include several more specific areas, as defined by Senate rules.
History
While currently known as the HELP Committee, the committee was originally founded on January 28, 1869, as the Committee on Education. Its name was changed to the Committee on Education and Labor on February 14, 1870, when petitions relating to labor were to its jurisdiction from the Committee on Naval Affairs.
The committee’s jurisdiction at the end of the 19th and early 20th centuries focused largely on issues relating to federal employees’ working conditions and federal education aid. Prominent action considered by the committee in the 1910s and 1920s included the creation of a national minimum wage, the establishments of a Department of Labor, a Department of Education, and a Children’s Bureau. During the 1930s, the committee took action on the National Labor Relations Act, the Walsh-Healey Public Contracts Act of 1936 and the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.
In 1944, the jurisdiction of the Public Health Service was transferred from the Commerce Committee to the Committee on Education and Labor, adding issues relating to public health matters to its jurisdiction. The committee's name was changed during the 80th Congress to the Committee on Labor and Public Welfare as part of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (Public Law 79-601). The act further expanded the committee's oversight to include the rehabilitation, health, and education of veterans. Mine safety was also added to the committee’s jurisdiction in 1949.
During the Administration of President Lyndon B. Johnson, the committee took the lead in shaping legislation as part of Johnson's War on Poverty, resulting in the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. Through the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 (Public Law 91-510), certain issues pertaining to veterans were transferred to the newly created Committee on Veterans Affairs. In the 95th Congress, the Senate passed S. Res. 4, which renamed the committee to be the Committee on Human Resources. However, the name was again changed in the 96th Congress by S. Res. 30 to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources. On March 18, 1992, the committee’s jurisdiction was updated to include all of the areas listed below. The committee was given its current name, the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, on January 19, 1999, by S. Res. 20.[1]
Jurisdictional areas
Under the Rule 25[2] of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following subject matters fall under the jurisdiction of the Committee:[3]
Members, 118th Congress
Majority[4] | Minority[5] |
- Bernie Sanders, Vermont[6] Chairman
- Patty Murray, Washington
- Bob Casey Jr., Pennsylvania
- Tammy Baldwin, Wisconsin
- Chris Murphy, Connecticut
- Tim Kaine, Virginia
- Maggie Hassan, New Hampshire
- Tina Smith, Minnesota
- Ben Ray Luján, New Mexico
- John Hickenlooper, Colorado
- Ed Markey, Massachusetts
| - Bill Cassidy, Louisiana, Ranking Member
- Rand Paul, Kentucky
- Susan Collins, Maine
- Lisa Murkowski, Alaska
- Mike Braun, Indiana
- Roger Marshall, Kansas
- Mitt Romney, Utah
- Tommy Tuberville, Alabama
- Markwayne Mullin, Oklahoma
- Ted Budd, North Carolina
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Subcommittees
Historical members
110th Congress
Majority | Minority |
- Ted Kennedy, Massachusetts, Chair
- Chris Dodd, Connecticut, Vice Chair
- Tom Harkin, Iowa
- Barbara Mikulski, Maryland
- Jeff Bingaman, New Mexico
- Patty Murray, Washington
- Jack Reed, Rhode Island
- Hillary Clinton, New York
- Bernie Sanders, Vermont[6]
- Sherrod Brown, Ohio
- Barack Obama, Illinois, until November 16, 2008
| - Mike Enzi, Wyoming, Ranking Member
- Judd Gregg, New Hampshire
- Lamar Alexander, Tennessee
- Richard Burr, North Carolina
- Johnny Isakson, Georgia
- Lisa Murkowski, Alaska
- Orrin Hatch, Utah
- Pat Roberts, Kansas
- Wayne Allard, Colorado
- Tom Coburn, Oklahoma
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111th Congress
The Committee was chaired by Democrat Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts until his death on August 25, 2009. Under seniority rules, Acting Chairman Christopher Dodd was next in line, but Dodd chose instead to remain chairman of the Senate Banking Committee.[8] Tom Harkin, next in line by seniority, assumed the chairmanship on September 9, 2009, vacating his post as chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee.[9] Republican Mike Enzi of Wyoming continued to serve as Ranking Member.
Majority | Minority |
- Ted Kennedy, Massachusetts, Chair until June 9, 2009
- Tom Harkin, Iowa, Chair from September 9, 2009
- Chris Dodd, Connecticut, Acting Chair from June 9, 2009 – September 9, 2009
- Barbara Mikulski, Maryland
- Jeff Bingaman, New Mexico
- Patty Murray, Washington
- Jack Reed, Rhode Island
- Bernie Sanders, Vermont[6]
- Bob Casey, Pennsylvania
- Kay Hagan, North Carolina
- Jeff Merkley, Oregon
- Al Franken, Minnesota, from June 7, 2009
- Michael Bennet, Colorado
- Carte Goodwin, West Virginia, July 2010 – November 2010
- Joe Manchin, West Virginia, from November 2010
| - Mike Enzi, Wyoming, Ranking Member
- Judd Gregg, New Hampshire
- Lamar Alexander, Tennessee
- Richard Burr, North Carolina
- Johnny Isakson, Georgia
- John McCain, Arizona
- Orrin Hatch, Utah
- Lisa Murkowski, Alaska
- Tom Coburn, Oklahoma
- Pat Roberts, Kansas
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Source: 2010 Congressional Record, Vol. 156, Page S6226 ,
112th Congress
Majority | Minority |
- Tom Harkin, Iowa, Chairman
- Barbara Mikulski, Maryland
- Jeff Bingaman, New Mexico
- Patty Murray, Washington
- Bernie Sanders, Vermont[6]
- Bob Casey Jr., Pennsylvania
- Kay Hagan, North Carolina
- Jeff Merkley, Oregon
- Al Franken, Minnesota
- Michael Bennet, Colorado
- Sheldon Whitehouse, Rhode Island
- Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut
| - Mike Enzi, Wyoming, Ranking Member
- Lamar Alexander, Tennessee
- Richard Burr, North Carolina
- Johnny Isakson, Georgia
- Rand Paul, Kentucky
- Orrin Hatch, Utah
- John McCain, Arizona
- Pat Roberts, Kansas
- Lisa Murkowski, Alaska
- Mark Kirk, Illinois
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Source: 2011 Congressional Record, Vol. 157, Page S557
113th Congress
Majority | Minority |
- Tom Harkin, Iowa, Chair
- Barbara Mikulski, Maryland
- Patty Murray, Washington
- Bernie Sanders, Vermont[6]
- Bob Casey Jr., Pennsylvania
- Kay Hagan, North Carolina
- Al Franken, Minnesota
- Michael Bennet, Colorado
- Sheldon Whitehouse, Rhode Island
- Tammy Baldwin, Wisconsin
- Chris Murphy, Connecticut
- Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts
| - Lamar Alexander, Tennessee, Ranking member
- Mike Enzi, Wyoming
- Richard Burr, North Carolina
- Johnny Isakson, Georgia
- Rand Paul, Kentucky
- Orrin Hatch, Utah
- Pat Roberts, Kansas
- Lisa Murkowski, Alaska
- Mark Kirk, Illinois
- Tim Scott, South Carolina
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Source: 2013 Congressional Record, Vol. 159, Page S296 to 297
114th Congress
Majority | Minority |
- Lamar Alexander, Tennessee, Chair
- Mike Enzi, Wyoming
- Richard Burr, North Carolina
- Johnny Isakson, Georgia
- Rand Paul, Kentucky
- Susan Collins, Maine
- Lisa Murkowski, Alaska
- Mark Kirk, Illinois
- Tim Scott, South Carolina
- Orrin Hatch, Utah
- Pat Roberts, Kansas
- Bill Cassidy, Louisiana
| - Patty Murray, Washington, Ranking Member
- Barbara Mikulski, Maryland
- Bernie Sanders, Vermont[6]
- Bob Casey Jr., Pennsylvania
- Al Franken, Minnesota
- Michael Bennet, Colorado
- Sheldon Whitehouse, Rhode Island
- Tammy Baldwin, Wisconsin
- Chris Murphy, Connecticut
- Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts
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Source [10]
Source: 2015 Congressional Record, Vol. 161, Page S67 to 68
[11]
115th Congress
Majority | Minority |
- Lamar Alexander, Tennessee, Chair
- Mike Enzi, Wyoming
- Richard Burr, North Carolina
- Johnny Isakson, Georgia
- Rand Paul, Kentucky
- Susan Collins, Maine
- Bill Cassidy, Louisiana
- Todd Young, Indiana
- Orrin Hatch, Utah
- Pat Roberts, Kansas
- Lisa Murkowski, Alaska
- Tim Scott, South Carolina
| - Patty Murray, Washington, Ranking Member
- Bernie Sanders, Vermont[6]
- Bob Casey Jr., Pennsylvania
- Michael Bennet, Colorado
- Al Franken, Minnesota (until January 2, 2018)
- Tammy Baldwin, Wisconsin
- Chris Murphy, Connecticut
- Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts
- Tim Kaine, Virginia
- Maggie Hassan, New Hampshire
- Tina Smith, Minnesota (from January 3, 2018)
- Doug Jones, Alabama (from January 3, 2018)
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116th Congress
Majority | Minority |
- Lamar Alexander, Tennessee, Chairman
- Mike Enzi, Wyoming
- Richard Burr, North Carolina
- Johnny Isakson, Georgia (until December 31, 2019)
- Rand Paul, Kentucky
- Susan Collins, Maine
- Bill Cassidy, Louisiana
- Pat Roberts, Kansas
- Lisa Murkowski, Alaska
- Tim Scott, South Carolina
- Mitt Romney, Utah
- Mike Braun, Indiana
- Kelly Loeffler, Georgia (from January 6, 2020)
| - Patty Murray, Washington, Ranking Member
- Bernie Sanders, Vermont[6]
- Bob Casey Jr., Pennsylvania
- Tammy Baldwin, Wisconsin
- Chris Murphy, Connecticut
- Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts
- Tim Kaine, Virginia
- Maggie Hassan, New Hampshire
- Tina Smith, Minnesota
- Doug Jones, Alabama
- Jacky Rosen, Nevada
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117th Congress
Majority | Minority |
- Patty Murray, Washington, Chairwoman
- Bernie Sanders, Vermont[6]
- Bob Casey Jr., Pennsylvania
- Tammy Baldwin, Wisconsin
- Chris Murphy, Connecticut
- Tim Kaine, Virginia
- Maggie Hassan, New Hampshire
- Tina Smith, Minnesota
- Jacky Rosen, Nevada
- Ben Ray Luján, New Mexico
- John Hickenlooper, Colorado
| - Richard Burr, North Carolina, Ranking Member
- Rand Paul, Kentucky
- Susan Collins, Maine
- Bill Cassidy, Louisiana
- Lisa Murkowski, Alaska
- Tim Scott, South Carolina
- Mitt Romney, Utah
- Mike Braun, Indiana
- Roger Marshall, Kansas
- Tommy Tuberville, Alabama
- Jerry Moran, Kansas
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Defunct subcommittees
The committee has had other subcommittees in the past, such as:
- the Subcommittee on Migratory Labor during the 1950s through 1970s.
- the Subcommittee on Health and Scientific Research during the 1970s.
- the Subcommittee Investigating Violations of Free Speech and the Rights of Labor, informally known as the "La Follette Civil Liberties Committee"
Chairpersons
Education 1869–1870
Education and Labor, 1870 – 1947
Labor and Public Welfare, 1947–1977
Human Resources, 1977–1979
Labor and Human Resources, 1979–1999
Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, 1999–present
See also
References
- ^ "U.S. Senate. Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. 1/19/1999- Organization Authority Record". National Archives.
- ^ "Rule XXV - Standing Committees" (PDF). govinfo.gov. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
- ^ "About". help.senate.gov. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
- ^ S.Res. 30 (118th Congress)
- ^ S.Res. 31 (118th Congress)
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Bernie Sanders is an Independent, but caucuses with Democrats on the committee.
- ^ a b "Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee - Subcommittees, 118th Congress". Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
- ^ Paul Kane, Ben Pershing. "Dodd Decides Against Taking Over Senate Health Committee". Washington Post.
- ^ "Life after Ted Kennedy: all eyes on Chris Dodd - politico.com". Politico. September 2009. Retrieved February 19, 2010.
- ^ "U.S. Senate: Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions". senate.gov. Retrieved January 8, 2017.
- ^ "RULES OF PROCEDURE" (PDF). govinfo.gov. 2015. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
External links
- Official Committee Page (Archive)
- Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. Legislation activity and reports, Congress.gov.