House and Senate Commerce Appropriations Subcommittees

The House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Commerce, Justice, State and the Judiciary are responsible for funding, among other agencies, the Department of Commerce, which includes the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Congress deals primarily with two types of bills: Authorizing legislation gives a federal department or agency permission to spend money and sets policy direction, while appropriations legislation provides the actual money. While major agencies and programs are supposed to be authorized before having funds appropriated for them, many receive funding through appropriations bills without being authorized. The House must act first on appropriations legislation; after the House has passed a bill, the Senate drafts its version. Differences are reconciled in a House-Senate conference.

HOUSE COMMERCE APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE
H-309 Capitol Bldg.
Washington, D.C. 20515
202-225-3351

Republicans:

Harold Rogers (KY), Chair
Jim Kolbe (AZ)
Charles Taylor (NC)
Ralph Regula (OH)
*Michael Forbes (NY)

Democrats:

Alan Mollohan (WV), Ranking
David Skaggs (CO)
Julian Dixon (CA)

SENATE COMMERCE APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE
S-146A Capitol Bldg.
Washington, D.C. 20510
202-224-7277

Republicans:

**Judd Gregg (NH), Chair
Ted Stevens (AK)
+Mark Hatfield (OR)
Pete Domenici (NM)
Mitch McConnell (KY)
James Jeffords (VT)

Democrats:

Ernest Hollings (SC), Ranking
Daniel Inouye (HI)
Dale Bumpers (AR)
Frank Lautenberg (NJ)
Bob Kerrey (NE)

+Retiring at end of term.
*Freshman Member.
**Became chairman when former chairman Phil Gramm (R-TX) took a seat on the Senate Finance Committee after resignation of Bob Packwood (R-OR).