The
United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations is a
standing committee of the
United States Senate. It is charged with leading
foreign-policy legislation and debate in the Senate. The Foreign Relations Committee is generally responsible for overseeing (but not administering) and funding
foreign aid programs as well as funding arms sales and training for national allies. The committee is also responsible for holding confirmation hearings for high-level positions in the
Department 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. Along with the
Finance and
Judiciary Committees, the Foreign Relations Committee is one of the oldest in the Senate, going back to the initial creation of committees in 1816. Its sister committee in the
House of Representatives is the
Committee on Foreign Affairs (renamed from International Relations by the
110th Congress in January 2007).