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The House Armed Services Committee oversees military spending and recommends legislation to improve the effectiveness of the US military. It was formed in 1946 by combining the Military Affairs and Naval Affairs Committees. The committee is responsible for personnel, operations, resources, and battle readiness assessments. Legislation approved by the committee is sent to the Plenary Assembly for a vote and then to the Senate Armed Services Committee for approval. Members of both committees may develop compromise legislation if needed.
The House Armed Services Committee is a committee within the United States House of Representatives that deals with military spending and oversight. Committee members organize into subcommittees to hearings on military training, housing, research, and other national defense matters. These subcommittees are tasked with recommending legislation that maintains and improves the effectiveness of the U.S. military.
Federal oversight of the U.S. military was carried out by the Military Affairs Committee and the Naval Affairs Committee before 1946. The Reorganization Act of 1946 combined these two committees into the House Armed Services Committee. This name existed until 1994, when the House changed the name to the Committee on Armed Forces. The terms House Armed Services Committee and Committee on Armed Forces are used interchangeably by observers of US federal policy.
Members of the majority party in Congress can choose the committee chair and a majority of committee members. This privilege also extends to selecting the chairman of each of the subcommittees of the House Armed Services Committee. The minority party fills the remaining seats in the committee with the ranking member serving as the party’s primary voice in the Armed Forces. These subcommittees include Air and Ground Forces, Military Personnel, Readiness, Naval and Expeditionary Forces, Strategic Forces and Terrorism, Threats and Unconventional Capabilities. Representatives also serve on the subcommittees on Defense Acquisition Oversight and Investigations and Reform.
The House Armed Services Committee is the starting point for legislation dealing with Armed Forces personnel, operations and resources. Members conduct regular hearings on salary level adjustments, military benefits, and advancement processes for all branches of the military. This committee handles legislation related to the Selective Service Act, which requires American males over the age of 18 to register for the now-defunct military draft. The responsibilities of the House Armed Services Committee include assessments of military facilities, bases, and Merchant Marine facilities for battle readiness. The committee also discusses legislation to regulate the use of oil and mineral reserves managed by the United States Department of the Navy.
Legislation approved by a majority of the House Armed Services Committee is sent to the Plenary Assembly for a vote. This vote determines whether pending legislation is rejected or sent to the Senate Armed Services Committee for approval. The Senate Armed Services Committee must approve legislation passed by the House before the Senate votes on the bill in full. Members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees may be asked to develop compromise legislation if both bodies disagree on the details of a particular bill.
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