Senate committee

Senate Committee on Foreign Relations

The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations was established in 1816 as one of the original ten standing committees of the Senate. Throughout its history, the committee has been instrumental in developing and influencing United States foreign policy, at different times supporting and opposing the policies of presidents and secretaries of state. The committee has considered, debated, and reported important treaties and legislation, ranging from the purchase of Alaska in 1867 to the establishment of the United Nations in 1945. It also holds jurisdiction over all diplomatic nominations. Through these powers, the committee has helped shape foreign policy of broad significance, in matters of war and peace and international relations. Members of the committee have assisted in the negotiation of treaties, and at times have helped to defeat treaties they felt were not in the national interest.

Committee website

Members: 22
Bills referred this Congress: 3
Reported out: 0

Bills

H.R. 1744 · In committee since Jun 9, 2026
United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2026
Sep 29, 2026: Senate Committee on Foreign Relations discharged by Unanimous Consent.
H.R. 3429 · In committee since Jun 9, 2026
US-Japan-ROK Trilateral Cooperation Act
Jun 9, 2026: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
H.R. 2071 · In committee since May 13, 2026
Save Our Shrimpers Act
May 13, 2026: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Recent hearings and markups

Open Hearing · Sep 30, 2026, 3:00 PM EDT
Hearings to examine Nicaragua's political crisis, focusing on Ortega's assault on democracy.
Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issues · 419, Dirksen Senate Office Building · Video
Open Hearing · Sep 30, 2026, 10:30 AM EDT
Hearings to examine the nominations of Justin Bytheway, of Utah, to be Ambassador to the Kingdom of Tonga, William Flens, of the District of Columbia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Chad, Douglas Holder, of Florida, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Bulgaria, Marc Dillard, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Madagascar, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador to the Union of the Comoros, and Jessica Long, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, all of the Department of State.
Senate Foreign Relations · 419, Dirksen Senate Office Building · Video
Open Hearing · Sep 24, 2026, 9:30 AM EDT
Hearings to examine the nominations of William Grayson, of California, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia, Mark Abreu, of Florida, to be Ambassador to the Republic of El Salvador, Nicholas Checker, of Wisconsin, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Rwanda, Natasha Franceschi, of California, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Nicaragua, and John McIntyre, of Texas, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Malawi, all of the Department of State.
Senate Foreign Relations · 419, Dirksen Senate Office Building · Video
Closed Hearing · Sep 23, 2026, 10:00 AM EDT
Closed hearings to examine combating and deterring wrongful detentions, focusing on an update on U.S. efforts.
Senate Foreign Relations · 217, Capitol Visitor Center (Senate side · Video
Open Hearing · Sep 17, 2026, 10:30 AM EDT
Hearings to examine the nominations of Michael Young, of Utah, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Serbia, Ronald Johnson, of Massachusetts, to be Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Julia Nesheiwat, of Florida, to be Ambassador-at-Large for the Arctic, Steven Gillen, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic, and Nutan Patel, of California, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Cabo Verde, all of the Department of State.
Senate Foreign Relations · 419, Dirksen Senate Office Building · Video
Open Hearing · Sep 16, 2026, 10:00 AM EDT
Hearings to examine the nominations of Joshua Harris, of Maryland, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador to Malaysia, Henry Wooster, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Kenya, Peter Lord, of Florida, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Keith Heffern, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador to the Gabonese Republic, and Charles Goodman III, of Florida, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, to be Ambassador to the Togolese Republic, all of the Department of State.
Senate Foreign Relations · 419, Dirksen Senate Office Building · Video