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Committees

Congressman Joe Wilson currently serves on three committees consisting of subcommittees that oversee specific types of legislation. In addition, Joe serves as Chairman of the the bicameral U.S. Helsinki Commission. To learn more about the jurisdiction of the committees and subcommittees Joe serves on, please read the following information:

House Armed Services Committee

The House Armed Services Committee has jurisdiction over general defense policy, ongoing military operations, the organization and reform of the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy, and the Cooperative Threat Reduction program. Additionally, it has jurisdiction over specific issues such as counter-drug programs, detainee affairs and policy, acquisition and industrial base policy, technology transfer and export controls, joint interoperability, and the Department of Energy nonproliferation programs. For more information about the House Armed Services Committee, please visit the committee’s website.

The House Armed Services Committee maintains seven permanent subcommittees. Each subcommittee has differing jurisdictions, which overlap on key issues, but all are dedicated to providing for the men and women of America's Armed Forces and the nation's common defense. I am honored to serve on the Subcommittees on Readiness and Strategic Forces.

SUBCOMMITTEE ON READINESS

The Readiness Subcommittee has oversight of over $250 billion. The subcommittee directly oversees aspects of the military such as readiness, training, logistics, maintenance, military construction, installations, and family housing issues. It also oversees civilian personnel, energy security, and environmental issues that affect DOD. The Readiness Subcommittee makes sure that our troops are properly trained and their equipment is properly maintained so they can succeed in their missions. The subcommittee also ensures our troops have the facilities and services they deserve when they return home. Please visit the subcommittee’s website for more information.

SUBCOMMITTEE ON STRATEGIC FORCES

The Strategic Forces Subcommittee oversees our nation’s nuclear weapons, ballistic missile defense, national security space programs, and Department of Energy national security programs including the Savannah River Site. It makes sure our nation is properly prepared for any missile or nuclear attacks.

House Committee on Foreign Affairs

The House Committee on Foreign Affairs considers legislation that impacts the international community and oversees the Department of State, the Agency for International Development (USAID), the Peace Corps, the United Nations, and the enforcement of the Arms Export Control Act. The committee is responsible for oversight and legislation relating to foreign assistance, treaties and other international agreements, international law, international broadcasting, and international law enforcement issues, including narcotics control programs and activities. For more information about the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, please visit the committee’s website.

The House Foreign Affairs Committee maintains seven subcommittees, including five regional subcommittees and two functional subcommittees. Each subcommittee has differing jurisdictions, but all are dedicated to ensuring a U.S. Foreign policy that protects American families from foreign military and economic threats. I am honored to Chair the Subcommittee on the Middle East North Africa, and Central Asia, and to serve on the Subcommittee on Europe.

SUBCOMMITTEE ON MIDDLE EAST, NORTH AFRICA, AND CENTRAL ASIA, CHAIR

The subcommittee has jurisdiction over the following within the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia: Matters affecting the political relations between the United States and other countries and regions, including resolutions or other legislative measures directed to such relations; Legislation with respect to disaster assistance outside the Foreign Assistance Act, boundary issues, and international claims; Legislation with respect to region- or country-specific loans or other financial relations outside the Foreign Assistance Act; Legislation and oversight regarding human rights practices in particular countries; Oversight of regional lending institutions; Oversight of matters related to the regional activities of the United Nations, of its affiliated agencies, and of other multilateral institutions; Identification and development of options for meeting future problems and issues relating to U.S. interests in the region; Oversight of base rights and other facilities access agreements and regional security pacts; Concurrent oversight jurisdiction with respect to matters assigned to the functional subcommittees insofar as they may affect the region; Oversight of foreign assistance activities affecting the region, with the concurrence of the Chairman of the full Committee; and such other matters as the Chairman of the full Committee may determine.

SUBCOMMITTEE ON EUROPE

The subcommittee has jurisdiction over the following within Europe: Matters affecting the political relations between the United States and other countries and regions, including resolutions or other legislative measures directed to such relations; Legislation with respect to disaster assistance outside the Foreign Assistance Act, boundary issues, and international claims; Legislation with respect to region- or country-specific loans or other financial relations outside the Foreign Assistance Act; Legislation and oversight regarding human rights practices in particular countries; Oversight of regional lending institutions; Oversight of matters related to the regional activities of the United Nations, of its affiliated agencies, and of other multilateral institutions; Identification and development of options for meeting future problems and issues relating to U.S. interests in the region; Oversight of base rights and other facilities access agreements and regional security pacts; Concurrent oversight jurisdiction with respect to matters assigned to the functional subcommittees insofar as they may affect the region; Oversight of foreign assistance activities affecting the region, with the concurrence of the Chairman of the full Committee; and such other matters as the Chairman of the full Committee may determine.

House Committee on Education and the Workforce

The House Education and the Workforce Committee oversees programs that affect all Americans, from early learning and higher education to job training and retirement security. For more information about the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, please visit the committee’s website

SUBCOMMITTEE ON HEALTH, EMPLOYMENT, LABOR, AND PENSIONS

Matters dealing with relationships between employers and employees, including but not limited to the National Labor Relations Act, the Labor-Management Relations Act, and the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act; the Bureau of Labor Statistics; and employment-related health and retirement security, including but not limited to pension, health, other employee benefits, and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

U.S. Helsinki Commission, Chair

The U.S. Helsinki Commission, also known as the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, is an independent bipartisan and bicameral commission of the U.S. Federal Government. The Commission is tasked with monitoring the enactment of the Helsinki Accords and has worked at this effort for more than 45 years, defending some of the most important global issues from the Cold War and beyond. I am honored to serve as the Chairman of the Commission in the 118th Congress. For more information on the U.S. Helsinki Commission, please visit the commission's website.