Senate · Subcommittee of Senate Committee on Appropriations
Department of Defense
Composition
17 members
Jurisdiction
Senate counterpart to the House Defense Approps subcommittee. Writes the Senate version of the Defense Appropriations bill, which then conferences with the House version.
Why lobbyists care
Same Big Five defense prime targets as House Defense Approps, but with different political dynamics — the Senate version often includes additions Members want for their states (shipyards in CT/MS/VA, aircraft assembly in CA/TX/MO, missile work in AZ).
Key programs / authorities
- • All major DoD procurement programs
- • State-specific platform funding (carriers, subs, aircraft)
Recipients overseen
Federal contractors whose programs are authorized or funded (in whole or part) through this committee's jurisdiction.
Recent activity
FY26 Senate Defense Appropriations bill ($839B+) added eight C-130J above request, two EA-37B, additional Combat Rescue Helicopters, +$500M for SDA Tranche 3.
Leadership
Ranking member
Full roster · 17 members
Methodology note
This committee has significant jurisdiction over the defense sector. Members above flagged with a "Disclosed defense trades" badge have one or more Periodic Transaction Reports (PTRs) covering companies in that sector. The label does not imply legal violation — Members are permitted to hold and trade individual securities under current law, including via managed accounts. Trades shown are disclosed PTR filings; the conflict assessment is our analytical lens on them.