The Committee on Labor and Human Resources has jurisdiction over approximately 1,000 Federal programs relating to health, education, labor, disability policy, children and families, older Americans, pensions, and public welfare. These programs are administered by the Departments of Labor, Education, and Health and Human Services, as well as by 123 independent agencies, councils, and bureaus. The Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources focuses on social policy and concerns. Any bill relating to public welfare, health, education, and training can begin within this committee.

The following specific responsibilities are within the scope of the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources:

(1) Education standards and funding, including scholarships, student loans, public school curriculi, and school vouchers

(2) Public health, including medical regulations, HMO’s, health insurance, Medicare and Medicaid

(3) Labor standards and regulation, including wages and hours of labor, child labor, arbitration of labor disputes, regulation of foreign laborers, and occupational safety and health

(4) Aging, private pension plans; retirement, and Social Security

(5) Affirmative Action, race and gender relations

(6) Welfare, Unemployment, Food Stamps, and poverty in general

COMMITTEE BACKGROUND:

The Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources was established in 1869 as the Education and Labor Committee. After the Senate reorganization in 1946, it was renamed the Labor and Public Welfare Committee. In the 1977 reforms, it was renamed the Human Resources Committee. Two years later, labor advocates persuaded the Senate to call it the Labor and Human Resources Committee.

The committee's original purpose was to establish federal programs in education and labor. After the New Deal, the federal government's increased role in public welfare guided the actions of the Labor Committee. During the 1960’s and 1970’s, the committee helped to create federal health, welfare, and education programs. Under the Reagan administration, Congress cut some programs and consolidated several others. The large federal budget deficit made new social initiatives impossible even after the Democrats regained the Senate in 1987. Since the Republican sweep in the 1994 election, many predict a further decrease in spending and cuts in programs. The Republican chairman, Nancy Landon Kassebaum, outlined her goals of increasing the efficiency and reducing the costs of programs under her jurisdiction.

Several influential senators stand out in the history of the Senate Committee of Labor and Human Resources. Lister Hill, a Democrat from Alabama served as the committee chair from 1955-1969. Like many Congressmen from the South, he opposed most civil rights laws. He had, however, a liberal view of social programs: Hill often backed health proposals opposed by the medical establishment and favored federal aid for medical research, hospital construction, and the training of doctors and nurses. During the 1970s, New Jersey Democrat Harrison A. Williams, Jr. continued the liberal tradition as chair of the committee. Williams was a proponent of safety in the workplace and he worked with labor leaders on many issues, although not always successfully. When the Republicans gained control of the Senate in 1981, Republican Orrin G. Hatch of Utah became the chairman. Under his direction, the committee often deadlocked when voting. Democrat Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts, who is now the Ranking Minority Member of the committee, served as its chairman from 1987 through 1994 when Republican Senator Nancy Landon Kassebaum of Kansas replaced him. After Nancy Kassebaum’s resignation from the Senate, the committee is now chaired by Senator James M. Jeffords of Vermont.

CURRENT LEGISLATION TOPICS:

Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Threat (SARS)

Putting the Teaching of American History and Civics back in the classroom

The Improved Vaccine Affordability and Availability Act

Patient Access to Quality Health Care

AIDS Crisis in Africa: Health Care Transmissions

Washington Teacher Union: Closing the Gaps in Union Member Protections

Mammography Quality Standards Act

Employment Subcommittee WIA Reauthorization

Labor Patient Access Crisis: The Role of Medical Litigation

Smallpox Vaccination Plan

MEMBERS:

Committee Chairman: Judd Gregg (R-NH)

Senator Bill Frist (TN)

Senator Edward Kennedy (MA), Ranking Member

Senator Mike Enzi (WY)

Senator Christopher Dodd (CT)

Senator Lamar Alexander (TN)

Senator Tom Harkin (IA)

Senator Christopher Bond (MO)

Senator Barbara Mikulski (MD)

Senator Mike DeWine (OH)

Senator James Jeffords (I) (VT)

Senator Pat Roberts (KS)

Senator Jeff Bingaman (NM)

Senator Jeff Sessions (AL)

Senator Patty Murray (WA)

Senator John Ensign (NV)

Senator Jack Reed (RI)

Senator Lindsey Graham (SC)

Senator John Edwards (NC)

Senator John Warner (VA)

Senator Hillary Clinton (NY)