Obama - Not Even His Heavyweight Senators Helped Him

The following is a list of the most powerful committees in the US Senate. Listed are the most ranking members of those committees, including the chairman. Also the years the senator has served is noted in years. To the right of that is the name of President who was in office when the senator arrived.

The reason all of this is shown is for the reader to consider that Barack Obama is serving on two of these, equal to John McCain. However, with four years in the senate (only two with him present as he has spent the last two running for President) he has little to no clout to these veterans. A good chance he has little understanding of the fully workings of these committees.

Outside of Senator Ted Kennedy, not one of the senators is as liberal as Obama. Hence, Obama will have a difficult time reaching across his own party to sell his agenda. Reaching into the Republican side of the isle will be impossible!

One has to wonder why Obama could not get any of his changes before these committees when he was even showing up in the Senate? Obama, if he was a real leader, would have gotten some of his things through the senate. But I guess no one was listening, including his fellow Democrats.

Senate Appropriations Committee- Every government agency and those seeking earmarks depend on the Senate Appropriations Committee for annual funding. This committee is the banker of congress as it requires their approval to release funds for spending.
Chairman Sen. Robert Byrd (D) – 50 Yrs – Eisenhower
Member Sen. Daniel Inouve (D) – 46 Yrs - Kennedy
Sen. Pat Leahy (D) – 32 Yrs - Ford

Senate Rules and Administration Committee- This committee has the control the rules of floor debate and contested elections. Senate Rules has oversight over the Federal Election Commission, the agency that regulates campaign financing.
Member Sen. Robert Byrd (D) – 50 Yrs - Eisenhower
Member Sen. Daniel Inouve (D) – 46 Yrs - Kennedy
Member Sen. Chris Dodd (D) – 28 Yrs - Carter

Senate Budget Committee - Member of the Senate Budget Committee has the responsibility of ensuring that government spending levels are in line with federal revenues. That means evaluating the president's annual funding proposals and making sure that both the legislative and executive branches stick to their goals of balancing the budget and reducing the federal deficit.
Chairman Sen. Kent Conrad (D) – 22 Yrs - Reagan
Member Sen. Robert Byrd (D) – 50 Yrs - Eisenhower

Senate Finance Committee - The senate tax-writing committee effects banks, insurance companies, real estate agents, accountants, and securities and investment firms. Decisions by Senate Finance Committee members affect a lot of companies' bottom lines. Senate Finance also has jurisdiction over Medicare, Social Security, health care, and international trade.
Chairman Sen. Max Baucus (D) – 30 Yrs - Carter
Member Sen. John Kerry (D) – 24 Yrs - Reagan

Senate Armed Services Committee – This committee provides senate leadership on new weapons systems and spending.
Chairman Sen. Carl Levin (D) – 30 Yrs - Carter
Member Sen. John McCain (R) – 18 Yrs – Ranking Member – Top Repub. – GHW Bush
Member Sen. Robert Byrd (D) – 50 Yrs - Eisenhower
Member Sen. Ted Kennedy (D) – 46 Yrs - Kennedy

Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee - The Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee devotes its time to health, education, and workplace issues. It is the committee that generates proposals to change the health care system, the minimum wage, working conditions and compensation, and welfare and labor laws. The committee is also responsible for how the Food and Drug Administration operates, including the process for approving drugs and medical devices.
Chairman Sen. Ted Kennedy (D) – 46 Yrs - Kennedy
Member Sen. Chris Dodd (D) – 28 Yrs - Carter
Member Sen. Barack Obama – 4 Yrs – GW Bush


Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee - The Senate Commerce Committee has jurisdiction over some of the country's most powerful industries. These include telephone utilities, broadcast and cable companies, airlines, and tobacco and computer companies.
Chairman Sen. Daniel Inouve (D) – 46 Yrs - Kennedy
Member Sen. John Kerry (D) – 24 Years – GHW Bush
Member Sen. John McCain (R) – 18 Yrs – GHW Bush


Senate Foreign Relations Committee - The Senate Foreign Relations Committee makes decisions on foreign aid and policy. This committee also plays a key role in renewing the trade privileges of other nations and expanding membership to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Chairman Sen. Joe Biden (D) – 36 Yrs - Nixon
Member Sen. Chris Dodd (D) – 28 Yrs - Carter
Member Sen. John Kerry (D) – 24 Yrs – GHW Bush
Member Sen. Barack Obama – 4 Yrs – GW Bush


Senate Judiciary Committee - The Senate Judiciary Committee oversee federal court system. Their jurisdiction covers such issues like bankruptcy, immigration, copyright, and antitrust.
Chairman Sen. Pat Leahy (D) – 32 Yrs - Ford
Member Ted Kennedy (D) – 46 Yrs - Kennedy
Member Joe Biden (D) – 36 Yrs - Nixon

Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee - The Senate Banking Committee has jurisdiction over the nation's financial markets, banks, and insurance companies. The committee also oversees mortgage insurance, credit unions, and housing projects. All of these interests are part of the finance/insurance/real estate sector.
Chairman Sen. Chris Dodd (D) – 28 Yrs – Carter