During his tenure in Congress, Schiff has focused on bolstering national security, strengthening our communities, and introducing a "Kids First" agenda of initiatives to improve education, safety, and health care for our kids. Rep. Schiff has been a leader on national security efforts and has pushed for a broader strategy that emphasizes diplomacy, intelligence reform, and efforts to improve our nation's ability to stabilize countries to prevent future failed states from becoming havens for terrorists. He has pressed for the adoption of the bipartisan 9/11 Commission recommendations, cosponsoring a measure that implements the recommendations, which passed the House in 2007.

In March 2003, Schiff co-founded the Democratic Study Group on National Security in an effort to explore emerging national security issues with other Members of Congress. The group has hosted a wide range of speakers on topics such as international terrorism, postwar planning, defense, military transformation, shifting alliances, Afghanistan, Iraq, homeland security, non-proliferation, Iran, Korea, the United Nations, and missile defense.

Schiff also co-founded the Congressional Caucus for Freedom of the Press in May 2006. The bipartisan bicameral caucus is co-chaired by Representatives Schiff and Mike Pence (R-IN) and Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Richard Lugar (R-IN). It aims to advance press freedom around the world by creating a forum to combat and condemn media censorship and the persecution of journalists around the world.

Additionally, Schiff serves on the House Democracy Assistance Commission, which he was appointed to in 2005 by the current Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and then-Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL). This important body works with emerging democracies to strengthen democratic institutions and the rule of law.

Schiff has received many awards from local organizations for his commitment to our community. In April of this year, Rep. Schiff was presented with the President’s Award from the Child Educational Center (CEC) pre-school in La Canada for his work on his “Kids First” agenda. In late 2006, he received the Business Software Alliance’s Cyber Champion Award for his leadership and commitment to policies that promote a safe and legal digital world. He was also just presented with Day One’s Community Champion Award for his efforts to protect youth through support of after-school programs, drug prevention programs, and children’s health care initiatives. In August 2005, Schiff was awarded the 1st Annual Versie Mae Richardson Founder’s Award by the Alkebu-lan Cultural Center for outstanding community and public service. Additionally, he was honored in July 2005 by the California Air Force Association, and in December 2005, he received the Distinguished Civic Award of the Western Diocese, Armenian Church of North America. In October 2005, Schiff was presented with the 2005 Lizarraga Founder’s Award by La Casa de San Gabriel Community Center for outstanding service to the community.

Prior to serving in the House of Representatives, Congressman Schiff completed a four-year term as State Senator for California's 21st State Senate District, chairing the Senate Judiciary Committee, the Senate Select Committee on Juvenile Justice and the Joint Committee on the Arts. He led legislative efforts to guarantee up-to-date textbooks in the classroom, overhaul child support, and pass a patient's bill of rights. Before serving in the Legislature, Schiff served with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Los Angeles for six years, most notably prosecuting the first FBI agent ever to be indicted for espionage.

Adam Schiff, born June 22, 1960, is a graduate of Stanford University and Harvard Law School. Adam and his wife, Eve (yes, it's true), have two children, a daughter, Alexa Marion, born in July 1998, and a son, Elijah Harris, born in July 2002.