What the Committee Does
The Armed Services Committee has primary jurisdiction over the Department of Defense, the U.S. Armed Forces, and portions of the Department of Energy related to nuclear weapons. It writes the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which sets defense policy and authorizes military spending levels.
Beyond budgets, the committee oversees issues such as troop deployments, military readiness, personnel policies, weapons programs, cyber and space operations, and defense strategy. It holds confirmation hearings for top civilian Pentagon leaders and senior military officers, and conducts oversight of ongoing conflicts and global security challenges.
The committee is led by a Chair from the majority party and a Ranking Member from the minority. Together with other members, they hold public and classified hearings, draft and mark up defense legislation, and work closely with the Appropriations and Foreign Relations Committees on broader national security policy.
Committee Membership
Reed (Ranking Member) appears at the far left of the outer arc; Wicker (Chair) at the far right. Democratic and caucusing members cluster on the left side of the semicircle, Republicans on the right.
Key Defense Legislation
Examples of bills within the committee's jurisdictionNational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
This bill authorizes FY2026 defense policies and programs for the Department of Defense (DOD), Department of Energy national security programs, and the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board. It approves funding levels for military procurement, construction, and personnel while requiring DOD to craft a strategy on the national security impacts of emerging biotechnologies. The bill also directs the Navy to enhance ship maintenance and readiness, extends the Pacific Deterrence Initiative through FY2026, and repeals several diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) provisions, including the DOD Chief Diversity Officer role.
Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025
This bill renews the Department of Defense’s authority to sell surplus aircraft and parts for wildfire suppression from October 1, 2025, through October 1, 2035. It expands prior law by allowing these aircraft to drop water as well as fire retardant and removes restrictions on their use for international wildfire assistance, enabling broader firefighting cooperation and response capabilities.