On 7 February 1973 the United States Senate created the Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, usually called the Senate Watergate Committee. Senator Sam Ervin chaired the committee and Howard Baker served as vice chairman.
The committee was empowered to investigate the Watergate break-in, any subsequent cover-up and other illegal, improper or unethical conduct associated with the 1972 presidential campaign. Public hearings began on 17 May 1973 and were broadcast nationally.
The hearings produced testimony from White House and campaign figures and made the investigation a major public event. In July 1973, former White House aide Alexander Butterfield revealed the existence of Nixon’s presidential taping system, transforming the struggle over evidence.