U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations

The U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations is a standing committee of the U.S. Senate. It has jurisdiction over all discretionary spending legislation in the Senate. The U.S. Constitution defines its role, requiring "appropriations made by law" prior to the expenditure of any money from the Treasury. Sen. Kennedy is the ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development.

U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs

The U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs has jurisdiction over matters related to banks and banking, price controls, deposit insurance, export promotion and controls, federal monetary policy, financial aid to commerce and industry, issuance of redemption of notes, currency and coinage, public and private housing, urban development and mass transit, and government contracts. Sen. Kennedy is the ranking member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Subcomittee on Economic Policy. 

U.S. Senate Committee on the Budget

The Budget Committee was created by the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974. While the committee has seen its duties and functions change over the years due to the enactment of new laws and changes to Senate budget responsibilities, the committee remains responsible for drafting budget plans for Congress and for monitoring and enforcing rules surrounding spending, revenue, and the federal budget.

U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary

The U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary is a standing committee of the U.S. Senate. The Judiciary Committee is in charge of conducting hearings prior to the Senate votes on confirmation of federal judges (including Supreme Court justices) nominated by the president. The committee has a broad jurisdiction over matters relating to federal criminal law, human rights, immigration law, intellectual property rights, antitrust law, and internet privacy. According to Senate procedure, all proposed Constitutional amendments pass through the Judiciary Committee. Sen. Kennedy is the ranking member on the Senate Judiciary Subcomittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights.

U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship

The U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship is a standing committee of the U.S. Senate. It has jurisdiction over the Small Business Administration and is also charged with researching and investigating all problems of American small business enterprises.