The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee has a broad and powerful mandate to study, review, and legislate on matters related to the nation's economy, transportation infrastructure, and technological development.

In today's dynamic economy, the Commerce Committee plays a critical role in shaping national policies on issues as varied as transportation security, telecommunications, interstate and foreign commerce, coastal zone management, consumer protection, and NASA.

Ranking Member: Currently the highest ranking Democrat, Hollings served as the Committee's Chairman from January 6, 1987 to January 4, 1995. He served again briefly from January 3, 2001 to January 20, 2001, and resumed the post June 2, 2001 until the end of the 107th session.

Committee Member: 1967-Present

Subcommittee Membership: As Ranking Member, Senator Hollings is ex officio member of all subcommittees.

Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002

Aviation Security Act of 2001

The Oceans Act of 1997 and 2000

Telecommunications Act of 1996

Cable Consumer Protection and Competition Act, 1992

Manufacturing Extension Program Centers of 1988

The Senate Appropriations Committee is the largest committee in the U.S. Senate with 28 members in the 107th Congress. Its role is defined by the U.S. Constitution, which requires "appropriations made by law" prior to the expenditure of any money from the Federal treasury. The Committee writes legislation that allocates federal funds to the numerous government agencies, departments, and organizations on an annual basis.

Member: January 28, 1971 to present; Senator Hollings is the third-ranking Democrat on the Committee.

Ranking Member: Appropriations Subcommittee for Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State. Previously served as Subcommittee Chairman 95th-96th Congress; 100th-103rd Congress; and 107th Congress.

Subcommittee Membership: Member of subcommittees that fund the Departments of Defense, Energy, Interior, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education.

Combating Terrorism

Advancing Public Safety

Biomedical Research and Health Care Enhancements

Land Conservation

COPs Initiative

National Advocacy Center

Champion of Defense

The Senate Committee on the Budget was established in 1974 by the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act. Along with the House Budget Committee, it is responsible for drafting Congress' annual budget plan and monitoring action on the budget for the Federal Government. In addition, the Budget Committee has jurisdiction over the operation of the Congressional Budget Office(CBO). The annual budget resolution prepared by the Budget Committee sets out a broad blueprint for the Congress with respect to the total levels of revenues and spending for the government as a whole. Other authorizing and appropriations committees prepare legislation that enacts specific tax and spending policies.

Member: Senator Hollings is the only U.S. Senator to serve on the Senate Budget Committee since its establishment in 1974. He is the senior member of the Committee and served as Chairman from 1980-1981.

Subcommittee Membership: There are no subcommittees of the Budget Committee.

Tax Rebate Stimulus Passage

1993 Deficit Reduction Act

Gramm-Rudman-Hollings

Defending the Social Security Trust Fund