Summary

The Committee on Foreign Affairs of the U.S. House of Representatives, also known as the House Foreign Affairs Committee, is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives which has jurisdiction over bills and investigations related to the foreign affairs of the United States. It is less powerful than its Senate counterpart, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, because the House committee does not consider the ratification of treaties or the confirmation of presidential appointments, such as are made for ambassadors and Secretaries of State.
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida became chairperson of the committee in 2011, following the Republican majority obtained as a result of the United States House of Representatives elections, 2010. She succeeds Howard Berman, of California.
From 1975 to 1978 and from 1995 to 2007, it was renamed the Committee on International Relations. In January 2007 (and January 1979), it changed back to its original name. Its jurisdiction is and was the same under both names.

jurisdiction

The Full Committee will be responsible for oversight and legislation relating to:

foreign assistance (including development assistance, Millennium Challenge Corporation, the Millennium Challenge Account, HIV/AIDS in foreign countries, security assistance, and Public Law 480 programs abroad);
the Peace Corps;
national security developments affecting foreign policy;
strategic planning and agreements;
war powers, treaties, executive agreements, and the deployment and use of United States Armed Forces;
peacekeeping, peace enforcement, and enforcement of United Nations or other international sanctions;
arms control and disarmament issues;
the United States Agency for International Development;
activities and policies of the State, Commerce and Defense Departments and other agencies related to the Arms Export Control Act, and the Foreign Assistance Act including export and licensing policy for munitions items and technology and dual-use equipment and technology;
international law;
promotion of democracy;
international law enforcement issues, including narcotics control programs and activities;
Broadcasting Board of Governors;
embassy security;
international broadcasting;
public diplomacy, including international communication, information policy, international education, and cultural programs;
and all other matters not specifically assigned to a subcommittee.
The Committee will have jurisdiction over legislation with respect to the administration of the Export Administration Act, including the export and licensing of dual-use equipment and technology and other matters related to international economic policy and trade not otherwise assigned to a subcommittee and with respect to the United Nations, its affiliated agencies and other international organizations, including assessed and voluntary contributions to such organizations. The Committee may conduct oversight with respect to any matter within the jurisdiction of the Committee as defined in the Rules of the House of Representatives.