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WHAT

What is Senate Committee on Foreign Relations working on?

As of November 1, 2026, this page lists the 5 most recent hearings and meetings of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations from Congress.gov. It also lists 8 bills referred to the committee, the newest introduced on October 15, 2026.

Recent hearings

  • Hearings to examine Nicaragua's political crisis, focusing on Ortega's assault on democracy.

    Sep 30, 2026

    Open Hearing

  • Hearings to examine the nominations of Justin Bytheway, of Utah, to be Ambassador to the Kingdom of Tonga, William Flens, of the District of Columbia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Chad, Douglas Holder, of Florida, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Bulgaria, Marc Dillard, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Madagascar, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador to the Union of the Comoros, and Jessica Long, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, all of the Department of State.

    Sep 30, 2026

    Open Hearing

  • Hearings to examine the nominations of William Grayson, of California, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia, Mark Abreu, of Florida, to be Ambassador to the Republic of El Salvador, Nicholas Checker, of Wisconsin, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Rwanda, Natasha Franceschi, of California, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Nicaragua, and John McIntyre, of Texas, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Malawi, all of the Department of State.

    Sep 24, 2026

    Open Hearing

  • Closed hearings to examine combating and deterring wrongful detentions, focusing on an update on U.S. efforts.

    Sep 23, 2026

    Closed Hearing

  • Hearings to examine the nominations of Michael Young, of Utah, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Serbia, Ronald Johnson, of Massachusetts, to be Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Julia Nesheiwat, of Florida, to be Ambassador-at-Large for the Arctic, Steven Gillen, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic, and Nutan Patel, of California, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Cabo Verde, all of the Department of State.

    Sep 17, 2026

    Open Hearing

As of Nov 1, 2026. Sparse coverage can reflect a quiet recess period or a filter gap; the full schedule lives on Congress.gov.

Bills in committee

Status reflects the bill’s latest action on Congress.gov, which may be past this committee (e.g. a bill “Passed House, in Senate” has cleared this committee and chamber).

Jurisdiction

The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations was established in 1816 as one of the original ten standing committees of the Senate. Throughout its history, the committee has been instrumental in developing and influencing United States foreign policy, at different times supporting and opposing the policies of presidents and secretaries 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. Through these powers, the committee has helped shape foreign policy of broad significance, in matters of war and peace and international relations. Members of the committee have assisted in the negotiation of treaties, and at times have helped to defeat treaties they felt were not in the national interest.

Committee activity data from Congress.gov. Full methodology

Related questions

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