Schiff, Adam B.

Adam Schiff is a U.S. Senator from California who took office in December 2024 after winning election in November 2024. As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Schiff serves as ranking member of the Intellectual Property Subcommittee, a position that gives him significant influence over patent, copyright, artificial intelligence, and trademark policy. The Judiciary Committee oversees the Department of Justice, FBI, and Department of Homeland Security, and plays a critical role in judicial nominations and legislation on civil liberties, immigration, and criminal justice reform.

Schiff brings extensive legal and legislative experience to his Senate role. Born in Framingham, Massachusetts in 1960, he earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Stanford University and a law degree from Harvard Law School. Before entering electoral politics, he worked as a federal prosecutor in Los Angeles from 1987 to 1993, where he prosecuted a former FBI agent turned Russian spy and established the first federal environmental crimes unit in the region. He served in the California State Senate from 1996 to 2000, where he chaired the Judiciary Committee and authored dozens of bills signed into law, including legislation that expanded light rail in Los Angeles.

Schiff spent 24 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, from 2001 to 2024, where he gained national prominence as chair of the House Intelligence Committee from 2019 until his removal by Republican Speaker Kevin McCarthy. He served as the lead impeachment manager during President Donald Trump's first impeachment trial in 2020. In the Senate, Schiff has already demonstrated his focus on intellectual property protection, leading efforts to combat foreign piracy and protect American innovation, and advocating for the independence of the U.S. Copyright Office. He also serves on the Agriculture, Environment and Public Works, and Small Business committees, bringing his focus to issues affecting California including environmental protection, infrastructure, and small business support.