Jurisdiction

In addition to its critical role in providing oversight of the Department of Justice and the agencies under the Department's jurisdiction, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Homeland Security, the Judiciary Committee plays an important role in the consideration of nominations and pending legislation.

Executive nominations for positions in the Department of Justice, Office of National Drug Control Policy, the United States Parole Commission, the United States Sentencing Commission, and the State Justice Institute, as well as select nominations for the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Commerce are referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The Judiciary Committee is also charged with the consideration of all Article III judicial nominations. These include Supreme Court nominations, appellate court nominations, and district court nominations. The Committee also considers nominations to the Court of International Trade.

In addition to its role in conducting oversight and consideration of nominations, the Senate Judiciary Committee also considers legislation, resolutions, messages, petitions, memorials and other matters, as provided for in the Standing Rules of the Senate. These areas include:

Apportionment of Representatives

Bankruptcy, mutiny, espionage, and counterfeiting

Civil liberties

Constitutional amendments

Federal courts and judges

Government information

Holidays and celebrations

Immigration and naturalization

Interstate compacts generally

Judicial proceedings, civil and criminal, generally

Local courts in territories and possessions

Measures relating to claims against the United States

National penitentiaries

Patent Office

Patents, copyrights, and trademarks

Protection of trade and commerce against unlawful restraints and monopolies

Revision and codification of the statutes of the United States

State and territorial boundary lines