What is the primary function of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee?

The primary function of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is to oversee foreign policy legislation and conduct hearings related to international relations. This committee plays a crucial role in shaping U.S. foreign policy by reviewing and recommending legislation that pertains to international affairs, treaties, and diplomatic appointments. It has the authority to hold hearings to gather information, assess proposals, and provide oversight of the executive branch's conduct of foreign relations.

The committee’s focus on international relations aligns with its mandate to ensure that U.S. foreign policy is effectively implemented and that it aligns with the nation’s interests and values. Its activities include examining the implications of foreign aid, trade agreements, and various international treaties, as well as investigating issues affecting national security and diplomatic relations.

The other choices address functions that are outside the committee's primary mandate. Drafting domestic legislation pertains more to committees focused on specific areas like finance or judiciary. Managing defense spending is typically the role of committees such as the Armed Services Committee, which focuses specifically on military issues. Approving presidential nominations is another function that falls under the purview of the Senate as a whole or specific nomination-focused committees, but the Foreign Relations Committee is specifically concerned with nominations related to foreign affairs, such as ambassadors and other diplomatic posts.