Overview of:

Congress

There are four committees primarily involved in the Department of War.

Congress Overview

There are four committees primarily involved in the Department of War.

Congress

Authorizers

Congressional authorizers play a pivotal role in shaping U.S. defense policy and programs through the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which establishes legal frameworks, authorizes spending ceilings, and mandates reforms for the DoD. For defense professionals and industry stakeholders, these committees are essential for initiating new acquisition programs, overseeing military readiness, and integrating emerging technologies like hypersonics and AI into national security strategies. Current leadership in the Senate and House focus on industry innovation, workforce development, acquisition reforms, shipbuilding, and deterrence against peer competitors.

SASC Website

The SASC and HASC drive the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) the "must pass" bill that shapes policies, programs, organizations, and other elements of the Department of War.

Jurisdiction

Aeronautical and space activities peculiar to or primarily associated with the development of weapons systems or military operations.
Common defense.
Department of Defense, the Department of the Army, the Department of the Navy, and the Department of the Air Force, generally.
Maintenance and operation of the Panama Canal, including administration, sanitation, and government of the Canal Zone.
Military research and development.
National security aspects of nuclear energy.
Naval petroleum reserves, except those in Alaska.
Pay, promotion, retirement, and other benefits and privileges of members of the Armed Forces, including overseas education of civilian and military dependents.
Selective service system.
Strategic and critical materials necessary for the common defense.

Membership

Majority

Roger Wicker, R-MS, Chairman
Deb Fisher, R-NE
Tom Cotton, R-AR
Mike Rounds, R-SD
Joni Ernst, R-IA
Dan Sullivan, R-AK
Kevin Cramer, R-ND
Rick Scott, R-FL
Tommy Tuberville, R-AL
Markwayne Mullin, R-OK
Ted Budd, R-NC
Eric Schmitt, R-MO
Jim Banks, R-IN
Tim Sheehy, R-MT

Minority

Jack Reed, D-RI, Ranking Member
Jeanne Shaheen, D-NH
Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY
Richard Blumenthal, D-CT
Mazie Hirono, D-HI
Tim Kaine, D-VA
Angus King, I-ME
Elizabeth Warren, D-MA
Gary Peters, D-MI
Tammy Duckworth, D-IL
Jacky Rosen, D-NV
Mark Kelly, D-AZ
Elissa Slotkin, D-MI

Subcommittees

Airland: Responsibilities include Army planning and operations policy and programs (less space, cyber, and special operations); Air Force planning and operations policy and programs (less nuclear weapons, space, cyber, and special operations).
Cybersecurity: Responsibilities include policies and programs related to cyber forces and capabilities.
Emerging Threats and Capabilities: Responsibilities include policies and programs related to science and technology, special operations, intelligence, counterterrorism, security cooperation, strategic and information operations, countering weapons of mass destruction, and homeland defense.
Personnel: Responsibilities include military and DOD civilian personnel policies; end strengths for military personnel; military personnel compensation and benefits; military health care; and military nominations.
Readiness and Management Support: Responsibilities include military readiness including training, logistics, and maintenance; military construction; housing construction and privatization; contracting and acquisition policy; business and financial management; base realignment and closure; and defense energy and environmental programs.
Seapower: Responsibilities include Navy planning and operations policy and programs (less nuclear weapons, space, cyber, and special operations); and Marine Corps planning and operations policy and programs (less space, cyber, and special operations).
Strategic Forces: Responsibilities include nuclear and strategic forces; arms control and non-proliferation programs; space programs; Department of Energy defense nuclear, and defense environmental management programs; and ballistic missile defense.

Staff Directory - These are VERY important people to make in-roads to members and shape legislation.

HASC Website

The SASC and HASC drive the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) the "must pass" bill that shapes policies, programs, organizations, and other elements of the Department of War.

Jurisdiction

The Committee retains jurisdiction of all subjects listed in clause 1(c) of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives and retains exclusive jurisdiction for: defense policy generally, ongoing military operations, the organization and reform of the Department of Defense and Department of Energy, counter-drug programs, acquisition and industrial base policy, technology transfer and export controls, joint interoperability, the Cooperative Threat Reduction program, Department of Energy nonproliferation programs, and detainee affairs and policy.

Membership

Majority

Mike Rogers, R-AL, Chairman
Joe Wilson (R-SC)
Michael R. Turner (R-OH)
Robert J. Wittman (R-VA)
Austin Scott (R-GA)
Sam Graves (R-MO)
Elise M. Stefanik (R-NY)
Scott DesJarlais (R-TN)
Trent Kelly (R-MS)
Don Bacon (R-NE)
Jack Bergman (R-MI)
Ronny Jackson (R-TX)
Pat Fallon (R-TX)
Carlos A. Gimenez (R-FL)
Nancy Mace (R-SC)
Brad Finstad (R-MN)
Morgan Luttrell (R-TX)
Jennifer A. Kiggans (R-VA)
James C. Moylan (R-GU)
Cory Mills (R-FL)
Richard McCormick (R-GA)
Lance Gooden (R-TX)
Clay Higgins (R-LA)
Derrick Van Orden (R-WI)
John McGuire III (R-VA)
Pat Harrigan (R-NC)
Mark Messmer (R-IN)
Derek Schmidt (R-KS)
Jeff Crank (R-CO)
Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ)

Minority

Adam Smith, D-WA, Ranking Member
Joe Courtney (D-CT)
John Garamendi (D-CA)
Donald Norcross (D-NJ)
Seth Moulton (D-MA)
Salud O. Carbajal (D-CA)
Ro Khanna (D-CA)
William R. Keating (D-MA)
Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA)
Jason Crow (D-CO)
Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ)
Jared F. Golden (D-ME)
Sara Jacobs (D-CA)
Marilyn Strickland (D-WA)
Patrick Ryan (D-NY)
Gabe Vasquez (D-NM)
Christopher R. Deluzio (D-PA)
Jill N. Tokuda (D-HI)
Donald G. Davis (D-NC)
Gil Cisneros (D-CA)
Eric Sorensen (D-IL)
Maggie Goodlander (D-NH)
Sarah Elfreth (D-MD)
George Whitesides (D-CA)
Derek Tran (D-CA)
Eugene Vindman (D-VA)
Wesley Bell (D-MO)

Subcommittees

Cyber, IT, and Innovation: DoD policy related to the acquisition of computer software, the electromagnetic spectrum, and electromagnetic warfare; and DoD policy and programs and accounts related to artificial intelligence, cyber security, cyber operations, cyber forces, information technology, and science and technology (including defense-wide programs and accounts related to research, development, testing, and evaluation, except for those defense-wide programs and accounts related to research, development, testing, and evaluation of missile defense systems).

Intelligence and Special Operations: DoD policy and programs and accounts related to military intelligence, national intelligence, countering weapons of mass destruction, counter-proliferation, counter-terrorism, other sensitive military operations, special operations forces, information operations policy and military information support operations, and security cooperation.

Military Personnel: DoD policy and programs and accounts related to military personnel and their families, Reserve Component integration and employment, military health care, military education, dependent schools, POW/MIA issues, Morale, Welfare and Recreation, commissaries, cemeteries under the jurisdiction of the DoD, the Uniform Code of Military Justice, military retirement issues, and the civilian and contract workforce.

Readiness: DoD policy and programs and accounts related to military readiness, training, logistics and maintenance, military construction, organic industrial base, environment, military installations and real property management, family housing, base realignments and closures, and energy.

Seapower and Projection Forces: Navy and Marine Corps acquisition programs and accounts related to shipbuilding and conversion, reconnaissance and surveillance, tanker, and airlift aircraft, ship and submarine-launched weapons, ammunition, and other procurements; Air Force programs and accounts related to bomber, tanker, and airlift aircraft; Army programs and accounts related to waterborne vessels; and Maritime policy and programs and accounts under the jurisdiction of the Committee as delineated in paragraphs 5 and 9 of clause 1(c) of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives.

Strategic Forces: DoD and Department of Energy policy related to strategic deterrence, strategic stability, nuclear weapons, strategic and nuclear arms control, non-proliferation, nuclear safety, missile defense, and space; Department of Defense programs and accounts related to nuclear weapons, strategic missiles, nuclear command and control systems, Department of Defense intelligence space, space systems and services of the military departments, and intermediate and long-range missile defense systems; and Department of Energy national security programs and accounts.

Tactical Air and Land Forces: Army programs and accounts related to aircraft, ground equipment, missiles, ammunition, and other procurement; Marine Corps programs and accounts related to ground and amphibious equipment, fighter aircraft, helicopters, air-launched weapons, and ammunition; Air Force programs and accounts related to fighter, training, reconnaissance and surveillance, and electronic warfare aircraft, helicopters, air-launched weapons, ground equipment, and ammunition; Navy programs and accounts related to fighter, training, and electronic warfare aircraft, helicopters, and air-launched weapons; tactical air and missile defense programs and accounts; chemical agent and munition destruction programs and accounts; and National Guard and Reserve equipment programs and accounts.

Hearings

Staff Directory

Majority Staff (Republicans)

Geoff Gosselin - Staff Director [email protected]
Patrick Nevins - Deputy Staff Director [email protected]
Katherine Earle - Policy Director [email protected]
Kyle Noyes - Subcommittee Staff Director [email protected]
David Giachetti - Subcommittee Staff Director [email protected]
Whitney Verett - Subcommittee Staff Director [email protected]
Elizabeth Bender- Professional Staff Member [email protected]
Mark Morehouse - Professional Staff Member [email protected]
Alexandria Evers, Professional Staff Member [email protected]
Richard Onge - Professional Staff Member [email protected]
Ethan Pelissier Professional Staff Member [email protected]
Lynn Williams - Professional Staff Member [email protected]
Ian Bennitt - Senior Advisor [email protected]
Michael Kirlin - Senior Advisor; Subcommittee Staff Director [email protected]
Natalia Henriquez - Professional Staff [email protected]
Alexandra Igleheart - Professional Staff [email protected]
Eva Luter - Digital Director, House Armed Services Committee [email protected]
Owen McGeary - Research Assistant [email protected]
Anna Reed - Research Assistant [email protected]
Austin Richards - Research Assistant [email protected]
Andrew Smith- Research Assistant [email protected]
Logan Whelchel - Research Assistant [email protected]
Taryn Woody - Members Services Coordinator; Professional Staff Member [email protected]
Justine Tripathi- Communications Director [email protected]
Heatherjane Vaughan- Communications Director [email protected]
Natalie Nixon - Chief Administrator [email protected]
Forrest McConnell - General Counsel [email protected]
Ryan Breitenbach- Deputy Counsel [email protected]

Minority Staff (Democrats)

Brian Garrett - Staff Director [email protected]
Katy Quinn - Deputy Staff Director [email protected]
Zach Steacy - Director of Legislative Operations [email protected]
James Vallario - Professional Staff Member [email protected]
Maria Vastola - Professional Staff Member [email protected]
Heath Bope - Professional Staff Member [email protected]
Kelly Goggin - Professional Staff Member - [email protected]
Michael Hermann - Professional Staff Member [email protected]
Robert Ikoku - Professional Staff Member [email protected]
William Johnson - Professional Staff Member [email protected]
Hannah Kaufman - Professional Staff Member [email protected]
Wendell White - Professional Staff Member [email protected]
Drew Kennedy - Professional Staff Member [email protected]
John MacNaughton - Professional Staff Member [email protected]
Michaela Reardon - Professional Staff Member [email protected]
Ilka Regino - Professional Staff Member [email protected]
Peter Schirtzinger - Professional Staff Member [email protected]
Sapna Sharma - Professional Staff Member [email protected]
Betty Gray - Executive Assistant [email protected]
Tracy Manzer - Communications Director [email protected]
William Metzger - Budget Director [email protected]
Emma O'Kane -Legislative Clerk [email protected]
William "Spencer" Johnson - General Counsel [email protected]
Jeanine Womble - Counsel [email protected]
Jennie Wright -Deputy Counsel [email protected]
Shenita White - Office Manager [email protected]
Abigail Snyder - Research Assistant, Seapower and Projection Forces [email protected]

Readiness

David Sienicki - Staff Director, [email protected]

Intelligence and Special Operations

Craig Greene - Staff Director, [email protected]

Tactical Air & Land Forces (TAL) Subcommittee

James Vallario - Staff Director Tactical Air and Land Forces [email protected]
Brooke Alred - Professional Staff Member, [email protected]
Caroline Kehrli- Professional Staff Member [email protected]

Appropriators

Congressional appropriators control the actual allocation of funds to DoD programs, often determining the practical implementation of authorized initiatives by setting precise budget levels in the Defense Appropriations Act, which can deviate from NDAA authorizations. This process is critical for defense industry executives, as it directly impacts contract awards, procurement timelines, and R&D investments, with potential for earmarks or plus-ups to specific projects. There are heated debates on DoD topline spending and appropriation of funds to key programs, initiatives, and organizations.

The Appropriations Committee: Authority, Process, and Impact

In Congress, the Appropriations Committee stands out for its significant influence over federal spending. The Committee's broad jurisdiction and constitutional authority give it outsized responsibility over the nation's financial resources.

The Committee has 61 Members (34 Republicans and 27 Democrats) and is comprised of 12 subcommittees.

Constitutional Foundation

The Appropriations Committee derives its power from a key provision in the U.S. Constitution:

“No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law.”

Article I, Section 9, Clause 7

This statement forms the basis for the Committee's extensive responsibilities, overseeing all discretionary spending of the federal government, and reviewing how Federal tax dollars are spent.

Authorization and Appropriation: A Two-Step Process

The majority of legislation drafted, debated, and passed by Congress are either authorizing or appropriating measures:

Authorizations: Other Congressional committees, through authorizing bills, establish, continue, direct, or alter federal government agencies and programs. For example, the Armed Services Committee might authorize the Navy to create a program within the Information Operations Command.
Appropriations: The Appropriations Committee, through the annual appropriations bills, then decides how much funding each authorized federal government agency and program receives, effectively determining which can operate and to what extent. To continue the above example, the Appropriations Committee would decide if and how much to allocate to the recently authorized program within the Navy's Information Operations Command.

Types of Appropriations

The Committee's work results in several types of funding measures:

Regular Appropriations: 12 annual spending bills covering different areas of the federal government.
Continuing Resolutions: Temporary funding measures that bridge the gap from one fiscal year to the next until regular appropriations measures are enacted.
Supplemental Appropriations: Additional funding to address unexpected needs or shortfalls during the fiscal year, typically due to emergencies.

Mandatory vs. Discretionary Spending

The federal budget is divided into two main categories:

Mandatory Spending: Predetermined spending that does not require annual appropriations for entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare, along with interest on the national debt. In FY23, this accounted for 72% of federal spending.
Discretionary Spending: Resources overseen by the Appropriations Committee that are used to fund a wide range of government activities. In FY23, this comprised 23% of federal spending.
- The Committee's 12 subcommittees oversee different areas of discretionary spending, with the Defense Subcommittee managing about half of the discretionary budget. The subcommittees are as follows:
  1. Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
  2. Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
  3. Defense
  4. Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies
  5. Financial Services and General Government
  6. Homeland Security
  7. Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
  8. Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies
  9. Legislative Branch
  10. Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies
  11. National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs
  12. Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies

*Note: Starting in the 119th Congress, the State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee (SFOPS) is now
recognized as National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP).

The Annual Appropriations Process

Each year, the Appropriations Committee follows a structured process where committee members manage, oversee, assess, and then determine the appropriate spending level to allocate to each agency, department, and program:

The Office of Management and Budget submits the President's Budget Request, which is due the first Monday in February.
Members of Congress review the Administration's request and Appropriators hold Budget and Oversight Hearings where agency leaders defend their funding needs. Congressional representatives and public stakeholders are also able to testify on their requests to the Appropriations Committee.
Members of Congress submit funding requests for their districts, which must follow released guidance and standards.
The Budget Committee, through a budget resolution, sets the topline funding level for discretionary spending, also known as the 302(a) allocation, which pertains to section 302(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
The Appropriations Committee then divides the 302(a) allocation into 12 subcommittee allocations, also known as 302(b) allocations.
Subcommittee leaders draft bills within their 302(b) allocation, allocating resources for the agencies and programs under their subcommittee's jurisdiction.
Each bill is brought before its subcommittee and the full committee to be debated and refined through an amendment process. These proceedings are known as markups.
The bills are brought to the respective chamber floor to be debated, amended, and voted on by the full body.
Differences between House and Senate versions are reconciled in a conference process, whether formal or informal.
Final bills return to the floor of each chamber for a final vote before going to the President for signature.

Evolving Fiscal Landscape

As the Appropriations Committee exercises its constitutional authority to appropriate taxpayer resources through discretionary spending, it's important to highlight the primary driver of our national debt: mandatory spending.

Over time, the balance between mandatory and discretionary spending has shifted significantly. The growth in mandatory spending has reduced the proportion of the budget under the Appropriations Committee's direct control.

As a percentage of federal spending, discretionary spending is nearly half of what it was when Dean Hal Rogers started in Congress (1981).

Projections indicate that interest payments on the national debt will surpass defense spending by 2051, adding urgency to the need to address our fiscal trajectory.

Amidst these challenges, the Appropriations Committee will continue to play a crucial role in shaping national priorities and ensuring responsible use of federal funds on the discretionary side of the ledger. We will also continue to sound the alarm on the greatest fiscal challenge to federal spending. Mandatory programs are consuming an ever-increasing percentage of national resources, and larger debate and education around this issue is needed to address this serious reality. Failing to act with reasonable steps to reform this unchecked part of the balance sheet will leave our children, grandchildren, and coming generations in a grave situation. This responsibility falls on every lawmaker, and Congress owes it to our nation and Americans to act to ensure a future of opportunity continues.

Source: House Appropriations Committee

Advice to Readers

For industry professionals, especially those new to the defense ecosystem, securing congressional support and funding for DoD contracts demands a blend of patience, persistence, and political savvy, the key is viewing Congress as your accelerator, not just a rubber stamp

Begin by mapping the landscape: identify relevant subcommittees (e.g., HASC's Tactical Air and Land Forces for ground systems) and their members' districts, then engage staffers early with targeted outreach-white papers, site visits, or informal coffees-that underscore how your innovation addresses DoD gaps like supply chain vulnerabilities or AI integration, always tying it to local economic benefits like job creation in swing states.

For newcomers, don't chase the moonshot prime contract outright; leverage teaming agreements with established integrators to gain visibility, and participate in public forums like NDAA hearings or industry days to demonstrate compliance with FAR/DFARS regs and a commitment to small business set-asides. When advocating for funding, time your efforts to the budget cycle-lobby for earmarks or plus-ups in appropriations bills post-authorization, but frame them modestly (e.g., "bridge funding for prototype scaling") with data on cost savings or tech superiority.

Build enduring ties by hosting facility tours or briefings that humanize your team, and remember: authenticity wins-Congressional offices can spot sales pitches from a mile away, but they'll champion partners who deliver on promises and adapt to their feedback. In my experience, the firms that succeed treat this as a long game, starting with listening tours and evolving into co-authors of success stories that keep programs funded year after year. The congressional staff, particularly the professional staff members of the appropriations committee are the priority people to make inroads into your offerings, reform initiatives, and opportunities to achieve member objectives. Professional staffers draft legislation, shape priorities, and control access to members.

National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)