The United States Senate Committee on Armed Services is a standing committee of the U.S. Senate, formed on January 2, 1947, as a result of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946, which merged the Committee on Naval Affairs (established 1816) and the Committee on Military Affairs (established 1816). In the 119th Congress, it consists of 27 seats: 14 Republicans (majority), 12 Democrats, and 1 Independent (minority). It is responsible for oversight of the nation's military, including the Department of Defense (encompassing the Army, Navy, and Air Force), military research and development, national security aspects of nuclear energy, aeronautical and space activities related to weapons systems or military operations, the Selective Service System, strategic and critical materials for defense, naval petroleum reserves (except Alaska), pay, promotion, retirement, and benefits for Armed Forces members, reserve components, civilian auxiliaries, and related agencies. Historically, it included maintenance of the Panama Canal. The committee plays a key role in shaping U.S. defense policy and common defense.