Defined by Rule XXV of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance has standing jurisdiction over numerous government processes and agencies. In 2009, its most visible role is deciding the means by which health care reform will be funded, seeking solutions that are both technically sound by principles of healthcare economics, and politically acceptable. The technical aspects of that health coverage are assigned to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP Committee).
It is not the primary Senate committee for banking and financial institutions, which is the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
In the 111th Congress (2009), the Chairman is Sen. Max Baucus (D-Montana) and the Ranking Majority Member is Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa).
Numerous boards, commissions, and advisory committees including: