Key committees and caucuses
U.S. Senate
Floor leaders are elected to two-year terms by a majority vote of all senators of their party. The majority and minority leaders serve as the spokespersons on the Senate floor for their parties. Visit the U.S. Senate online.
Senate committees and subcommittees
United States Senate Committee on Appropriations
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Subcommittee
Labor Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Subcommitee
This subcommittee has broad jurisdiction over our country’s health care, education, employment and retirement policies. The subcommittee funds the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) research programs. Learn more
Defense Subcommittee
This subcommittee has jurisdiction over the Departments of Army, Navy (including Marine Corps), Air Force, Office of Secretary of Defense, and the CIA. It also allocates health research funding under the CDMRP, which has funded PKD research in the past.
United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
This committee has broad jurisdiction over health care, education, employment and retirement policies. It is one of the committees that are responsible for the Affordable Care Act (ACA, or Obamacare). Learn more
Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security
This subcommittee has jurisdiction over issues including: substance abuse and mental health, oral health, health care disparities. Learn more
Health Care Subcommittee
The Health Care Subcommittee is one of six subcommittees that allow members of the Finance Committee to examine specific areas within the Committee’s jurisdiction. The Chairman and Ranking Member establish the subcommittees for each Congressional session and serve as ex officio members on all subcommittees. Learn more
U.S. House of Representatives
The Speaker acts as leader of the House of Representatives and is second in line to succeed the President, after the Vice President. The Speaker works to set the majority party’s legislative agenda. The House of Representatives elects party leaders in a closed-door caucus by secret ballot. Visit the House of Representatives.
House committees and subcommittees
United States Senate Committee on Appropriations
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Subcommittee
Labor Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Subcommitee
This subcommittee has broad jurisdiction over our country’s health care, education, employment and retirement policies. The subcommittee funds the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) research programs. Learn more
Defense Subcommittee
This subcommittee has jurisdiction over the Departments of Army, Navy (including Marine Corps), Air Force, Office of Secretary of Defense, and the CIA. It also allocates health research funding under the CDMRP, which has funded PKD research in the past.
The Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee
The U.S. is home to a constant stream of cutting-edge medical advancements, but these innovations can only benefit patients and spur our economy if the FDA regulatory process keeps pace. The Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee has developed key reforms to promote this type of medical advancement, part of its broader efforts to support market-based improvements to our health care system and reject heavy-handed government control. Learn more
Committee on Ways and Means
The Committee on Ways and Means is the oldest committee of the United States Congress. This committee is the chief tax writing committee in the House.
It is one of the committees that are responsible for the Affordable Care Act (ACA, or Obamacare). Learn more
Committee on Ways and Means Health Subcommittee
All bills and matters that are referred to Ways and Means that relate to programs providing payments for health care (including Medicare and Medicaid), health delivery systems or health research are under the Health Subcommittee’s jurisdiction. Learn more
Congressional Caucuses
A congressional caucus, officially called a Congressional Member Organization, is a group of members of elected officials that have a common legislative objective. There are various types of caucuses. However, the most common caucus consists of members that are united due to a common interest. Caucuses are often bipartisan, meaning that both Democrats and Republicans serve on the same caucus.
Caucuses
Congressional Kidney Caucus
The purpose of the caucus is to educate Congress and the public about the problem kidney disease poses for our society and to educate Congress and the public about the federal government’s singular role in providing access to life-sustaining treatment for those Americans with the severest form of chronic kidney disease (CKD), stage 5 CKD.
The Kidney Caucus provides a forum for the discussion of quality of care and life issues, acts as a resource on the scope and impact of kidney disease and serves as a source of information on public policy initiatives to aid individuals with CKD and irreversible kidney failure
Congressional Rare Disease Caucus
The Rare Disease Caucus provides a forum for members of Congress to voice constituent concerns, share ideas and build support for legislation that will improve the lives of people with rare diseases. The rare disease community is incredibly grateful for their leadership and support on rare disease issues, which has been critical for raising awareness and impacting change in Washington D.C
Congressional Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation Awareness Caucus
The Caucus supports federal and private sector efforts to increase donation and transplantation by raising the awareness of the national organ shortage, both within the U.S. Congress and in the general public.
Page last reviewed November 2022
