Keeps coveted positions on Foreign Relations, Appropriations, Banking, and Rules Committees
WASHINGTON—United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) today announced his committee assignments for the 119th Congress, again earning highly sought-after appointments to the Senate Committees on Foreign Relations; Appropriations; Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; and Rules. Retaining and increasing the seniority of his position on these preeminent committees demonstrates Hagerty’s successful committee work and leadership during the 118th Congress and will enhance his ability to represent the people of Tennessee and advance American national security, economic strength, and job creation working with the incoming Trump Administration.
“Throughout the 118th Congress, my positioning on these four critical committees allowed me to apply my background and experience as a former Ambassador, lifelong businessman, job creator, and negotiator to represent the interests of Tennesseans and push back against the failures of the Biden Administration and Democrats,” said Senator Hagerty. “Through my committee work, I was able to block a left-wing crime bill that would’ve made our streets more dangerous, protect American companies with operations abroad from unlawful actions that jeopardize American infrastructure, uncover and push back against Democrats’ weaponization of the Department of Justice to protect the Biden family and persecute their top political opponent, and advocate for American citizens’ voting power in elections by pressing to a Senate vote my legislation to prohibit counting illegal aliens in the Census. I also fought against the Biden Administration’s tidal wave of illegal immigration, defended Supreme Court justices’ ability to do their constitutional duties in the wake of unprecedented partisan threats and intimidation, helped ensure that Tennesseans receive the relief and support they deserve during devastating natural disasters across the state, and prevented anti-business, socialist regulators from destroying our financial system through a self-induced banking crisis, and worked to ensure America is at the forefront of crypto innovation while the Biden Administration tried to shutter its incredibly promising future. As the 119th Congress begins, I look forward to continuing my work on these committees and working hand-in-hand with the incoming Trump Administration to make the American Dream possible again for Tennesseans.”
Hagerty is the former U.S. Ambassador to Japan and a lifelong businessman. He started his business career with Boston Consulting Group, where his work took him to five continents. He later built, invested in, and led a wide range of businesses. Hagerty also previously served as Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, where he blueprinted the program that has propelled Tennessee’s economy to unprecedented heights.
About Hagerty’s Committees
U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee was established in 1816 and has been instrumental in overseeing and authorizing United States foreign policy. The committee has debated and voted on important treaties and legislation over the years, and it also holds jurisdiction over nominations related to U.S. diplomacy and international development. Through these powers, the committee has weighed in on matters of war and peace in international affairs.
As the only current Senator with experience as a U.S. Ambassador, Hagerty has used his membership on the Foreign Relations Committee to shape laws governing the State Department’s management and oversee American policies concerning the U.S.-Japan Alliance and the threats posed by China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea amid the increasing disorder and conflict around the world over the last four years. He has also worked to protect American companies with operations abroad from unlawful actions by foreign governments that damage America’s national security and economic interests.
U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations
The Senate Appropriations Committee is the largest committee in the U.S. Senate, originating in 1867. 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 the legislation that allocates federal funds to the numerous government agencies, departments, and organizations on an annual basis, including spending made available for the military and diplomacy, at levels determined by the Senate Budget Committee. Twelve subcommittees are tasked with drafting legislation to allocate funds to government agencies within their jurisdictions. These subcommittees are responsible for reviewing the President’s budget request, hearing testimony from government officials and other witnesses, and drafting the spending plans for the coming fiscal year.
In serving on the Appropriations Committee, Hagerty has promoted responsible government funding, achieved tangible results for Tennesseans, and conducted oversight across a broad range of domestic and international subjects. This past year, Hagerty was able to help Tennesseans receive critical disaster relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and other natural disasters.
U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, & Urban Affairs
The Banking Committee, formally established in 1913, plays an integral role in managing legislation that affects the lives of many Americans. These areas of jurisdiction include, but are not limited to: banking, insurance, financial markets, securities, housing, urban development and mass transit, international trade and finance, economic policy, and the United States’ international sanctions policy.
Hagerty’s position on the Banking Committee has allowed him to utilize his private-sector experience and service as Tennessee’s Commissioner of Economic and Community Development to promote policies that will create jobs and increase wages for American workers by encouraging investment in America. Hagerty has also pushed back against the radical, far-left agenda by standing up against anti-capitalist housing proposals and attempted agreements between the Biden Administration and international organizations that would make America’s economy weaker and less competitive. Additionally, Hagerty strongly advocated for the use and growth of crypto in the U.S. by proposing groundbreaking pro-crypto legislation and fighting against government overreach and blocking anti-crypto, climate activist nominees to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
U.S. Senate Committee on Rules & Administration
The Rules Committee is one of the oldest committees of the U.S. Senate, dating to 1789. In addition to oversight of the rules and procedures of the Senate, the committee has jurisdiction over federal election law and the management and security of the U.S. Capitol complex, which includes the Library of Congress, the U.S. Copyright Office, and the Smithsonian Institution.
As a Rules Committee member, Hagerty blocked crime legislation that would’ve made the nation’s capital more dangerous, successfully fought against Democrats’ efforts to federalize election laws for their own partisan advantage and advocated for the intellectual property rights of songwriters and music artists in Tennessee.
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