Committee Insider Index
Senate Armed Services
May 24, 12 a.m.
In November 1978, Donna Summer topped the music charts with “MacArthur Park,” the original “Lord of the Rings” — the animated version — made a big splash at the box office and Johnny Carson dominated late-night TV. Jimmy Carter was president, Barack Obama was a senior in high school and Carl Levin had just gotten a big promotion from former president of the Detroit City Council to junior Senator from Michigan.
May 24, 12 a.m.
It’s become a familiar sight: An agitated Sen. John McCain railing against Obama administration policies and touting his own conservative credentials. On April 15, for example, the Arizona Republican, who in a past political life opposed the 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts, lambasted the tax policy of his 2008 opponent in a passionate speech on the Senate floor.
May 24, 12 a.m.
The Senate Armed Services Committee is not for the faint of heart. That’s how defense lobbyists describe the panel, which is responsible for overseeing the nation’s military, the space program and nuclear energy issues. Led by strong-willed senior Members and staffed by no-nonsense ex-military personnel, the committee requires defense lobbyists to prepare heavily for pitches on their clients’ behalf.
May 24, 12 a.m.
The Senate Armed Services Committee has existed in its present form since 1946 — just after World War II.
Previous Committee Insiders:
April 19, 2010
With a deal on financial reform legislation imminent, get behind-the-scenes details on the personalities and issues driving the legislative ballot.
March 15, 2010
After a tumultuous year pushing through two high-profile pieces of legislation, leaders of the House Energy and Commerce Committee reflect on their work and the panel’s short-term future.
Feb. 22, 2010
After being consumed by the health care reform debate over the past year, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee has a big and challenging agenda in 2010 and a new chairman in Sen. Tom Harkin.
Jan. 19, 2010
Under Chairman John Kerry, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has become a key ally for President Barack Obama while retaining a strong element of bipartisanship.
Nov. 16, 2009
Few Congressional committees have as clear-cut an agenda over the next few months as the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, where regulatory reform of the financial industry will preoccupy Members for the foreseeable future.
Oct. 13, 2009
As the climate change debate in Congress heats up, Roll Call takes a look at the action in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
Sept. 8, 2009
As the clock ticks on fiscal 2009, how Congress moves the appropriations ball across the goal line before the start of the new fiscal year is anybody’s guess.
July 6, 2009
With sweeping proposals to reform the nation’s troubled health care system expected to be the top order of Congressional business for many weeks to come, the Senate HELP Committee is ground zero for many of the debates.
June 1, 2009
Led by Chairman Jeff Bingaman and ranking member Lisa Murkowski, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee has spent the last few months charting the future of the nation’s energy policy.
May 11, 2009
Chairman Ike Skelton leads his panel on a jam-packed agenda that includes Iraq, Afghanistan-Pakistan issues and the Pentagon's acquisition process.
April 6, 2009
April's edition focuses on the Senate Finance Committee's upcoming legislative priorities: health care, energy and tax reform.
March 2, 2009
Chairman James Oberstar's (D-Minn.) committee plans to address FAA and transportation reauthorization bills in the 111th Congress.
Feb. 2, 2009
Chairman Henry Waxman's (D-Calif.) committee could address one of the most aggressive agendas in the 111th Congress, one that includes global warming, energy policy and health care reform.
