Innovation-related congressional committees see new members

Editor's note: The Senate appropriations subcommittees were formally updated after this article originally published. They have been updated to reflect new assignments.

The 118th Congress is now sufficiently organized to know who will sit on each committee that is most directly-relevant to federal innovation and entrepreneurship policy. These new rosters include new leaders. In the Senate, both the commerce committee (Sen. Ted Cruz) and small business committee (Sen. Joni Ernst) have new ranking members. In the House, not only has control switched parties, but there are four new leaders among the eight chair and ranking member seats with important roles in this area. See the lists, below, for an explanation of important committees and their full membership.

SSTI works to educate each of these committees about the importance of regional innovation economies through its Innovation Advocacy Council. Organizations interested in learning more about federal policy in this area or how to educate your delegation should contact SSTI (contactus@ssti.org).

Members marked with an asterisk (*) are new to the committee since the start of the previous congress.

Senate Commerce Committee

The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation authorizes policies and programs related to trade, manufacturing, science and transportation, including the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), National Science Foundation (NSF), and the Regional Technology & Innovation Hubs, Build to Scale and STEM Talent Challenge programs at the Economic Development Administration (EDA).

Senate Small Business Committee

The U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship has responsibility for programs and policies related to the Small Business Administration (SBA) and small business policy across the federal government, including the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program.

Senate CJS Appropriations Subcommittee

The U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations’ Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (CJS) determines funding levels for EDA (including Build to Scale), programs authorized under the CHIPS and Science Act, NIST and NSF, among others.

Senate Financial Services Appropriations Subcommittee

The U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations’ Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) determines funding levels for SBA and the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund.

House Science Committee

The U.S. House Committee on Science, Space and Technology is responsible for authorizing policies and programs affecting NSF and science policy across the government, including technology transfer, NIST, the EDA Regional Technology Hubs, Build to Scale and STEM Talent Challenge programs, and shared responsibility (with the small business committee) SBIR.

House Small Business Committee

The U.S. House Committee on Small Business is responsible for authorizing policies and programs affecting SBA and shares responsibility (with the science committee) for SBIR.

House CJS Appropriations Subcommittee

The U.S. House Committee on Appropriations’ Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (CJS) determines funding levels for EDA (including Build to Scale), programs authorized under the CHIPS and Science Act, NIST and NSF, among others.

House Financial Services Appropriations Subcommittee

The U.S. House Committee on Appropriations’ Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) determines funding levels for the SBA and the CDFI Fund.