Schiff was born in Framingham, Massachusetts to Edward and Sherrill Ann (Glovsky) Schiff. His father was in the "rag business," selling different lines of clothing across the country, which caused the family to move first to Scottsdale, Arizona and then Alamo, California.
Schiff graduated from Danville's Monte Vista High School in the Bay Area, and went on to both Stanford University and Harvard Law School.
After Schiff graduated from Harvard, he moved to Los Angeles to serve as a law clerk for Judge William Matthew Byrne, Jr. Schiff then joined the U.S. Attorney's Office in Los Angeles as a federal prosecutor, where he served for almost six years, most notably prosecuting, Richard Miller, the first FBI agent ever to be indicted for spying for Russia.
On President Biden’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide:
“For Armenian-Americans and everyone who believes in human rights and the truth, the recognition of the Armenian Genocide marks a historic milestone. The President of the United States has at long last recognized the slaughter of 1.5 million Armenians for what it was – the first genocide of the 20th century. In so doing, he has cast aside decades of shameful silence and half-truths, and the broken promises of so many of his predecessors and spoken truth to power.
“The President, the Congress, and the American people now speak with one voice: We will never again be silenced, and we will never forget.”
– Rep. Adam Schiff
Rep. Adam Schiff has long represented the largest Armenian diasporas in the country and serves as Vice Chair of the Congressional Armenian Caucus. For decades, he has fought side-by-side with his Armenian American constituents for the recognition of their history, as survivors of the first genocide of the 20th century, and for the protection of their future and the futures of their families and loved ones working for freedom abroad.
Adam has been the leading advocate in Congress for Armenian Genocide recognition, working tirelessly to convince his colleagues, presidents of both parties, and the American people of the importance of formal recognition.
In October 2019, the House voted decisively to recognize the Armenian Genocide, passing Adam’s resolution with vigorous bipartisan support. The Senate followed suit in December 2019, supporting the resolution with overwhelming bipartisan support. By passing Adam’s bill, the Congress formally declared that it will no longer be complicit in the shameful denial of this crime against humanity. Adam fought for nearly two decades to pass this critical legislation, with dedicated support and work from tens of thousands of Armenian-American constituents, historians, human rights advocates, and activists.
In the days leading up to the 106th anniversary of the start of the Armenian Genocide, Adam delivered an open letter to President Biden from the floor of the House of Representatives, calling for his formal recognition of this atrocity. And after so many long years of silence, President Biden answered that call, joining Congress in issuing a somber and unequivocal recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
As an ex officio member of the Appropriations subcommittee that oversees American foreign assistance, Adam has made assistance to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh a top priority. As Turkey’s illegal blockade of Armenia and waves of Azerbaijani aggression have devastated the economic security and sovereignty of Armenia and Artsakh, Adam recognizes the vitality of U.S. assistance to these nations as crucial to maintaining Armenia’s independence and continues to press for greater action by the Minsk Group to resolve the status of Artsakh. Adam has also advocated for humanitarian funding for Artsakh in order to demine civilian areas and improve regional security, and he will continue to fight for direct assistance from the United States.
Adam was the first Member of Congress to call for the formal U.S. recognition of the Independent Republic of Artsakh, because he firmly believes that the U.S. must not stand idly by as Azerbaijan and Turkey wage war on Artsakh. Azerbaijan, with assistance from Turkey, continues to threaten Armenia in an attempt to destabilize the nation and exert territorial control over Artsakh. After Turkish-backed Azeri troops attacked Artsakh and initiated a war between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Adam introduced a resolution calling for the release of Armenian prisoners of war. He has repeatedly spoken out about the human rights abuses perpetrated against Armenians by Azeri forces and is committed to achieving a peaceful resolution to the conflict that results in self-determination for the people of Artsakh.
Adam has helped lead the effort to provide U.S. assistance with the purpose of developing Armenia’s democracy, deepening its democratic institutions, and fighting corruption. Since the 2018 Armenian Velvet Revolution, Armenia has experienced a rapid change with the conduct of free and fair parliamentary elections and a sweeping array of democratic reforms. Adam has helped to secure tens of millions of dollars that have strengthened Armenia’s democracy and reform institutions, and he will continue to work to ensure that Armenia’s democracy continues to flourish for generations to come.
In 2022, the federal government funding legislation included $950,000 in funding to support the construction and development of the Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center of California in downtown Glendale thanks to Adam’s work to honor Armenian Americans‘ contributions to our nation. He will continue to advocate for this important funding. Adam knows that Armenian-Americans are an essential part of the very fabric of our nation — enriching our customs, traditions, and communities, and that the Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center of California will ensure that story gets told for generations to come.
“The climate crisis is here and now. And we must take every bold, aggressive action possible to mitigate its catastrophic impact, before it’s too late. We need an Apollo Project-like effort to end the use of fossil fuels, invest in clean and renewable energy, and build a modern economy that supports millions of green jobs. That’s why I support the Green New Deal and will keep fighting for it. No effort must be spared to protect the planet for generations to come.”
– Rep. Adam Schiff
The climate crisis is an existential threat – and it’s already upon us and if we do not act with urgency, we will not avert the worst effects. While we cannot reverse the effects of a warming planet, we can take aggressive action to mitigate the more disastrous impacts to come – which is precisely what Adam is fighting for. Adam believes that Congress cannot be too aggressive when it comes to climate and investments in a new, green economy. He’s been an unflinching advocate for dramatic policy solutions to this unparalleled threat and will continue to fight to protect our planet.
Adam believes that climate change is the most urgent and existential crisis facing the U.S. and international community today and that, if left unchecked, it will bring about disastrous consequences for our environment, our food and water supply, the global economy, and our national security. And Adam knows that it is young people leading the way calling for urgent and needed change.
Adam is an original cosponsor of the Green New Deal and supports taking unprecedented action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, end the use of fossil fuels (including ending subsidies to fossil fuel companies), protect our air and water, and invest in a green economy. Adam also supports the establishment of a Civilian Climate Corps, which would create millions of new jobs dedicated to fighting climate change and protecting earth’s natural beauty and resources.
He has opposed misguided and dangerous attempts to roll back environmental protections and to strip the Environmental Protection Agency of its authority to regulate air pollution, which would harm countless families across the country particularly those in large urban areas like Los Angeles and in California.
For two decades, Adam has called for an Apollo Project-like effort to make a permanent, universal transition to renewable energy – a task worthy of the same energy and fortitude it took to win the space race. Adam continues to fight to expand America’s renewable energy industry, particularly at home in California. He supports tax credits and loan guarantees for renewable energy research and has successfully offered several amendments to increase funding for advanced energy research at the Department of Energy. Recently, Adam helped secure millions of dollars for EV charging machines in Los Angeles as part of bipartisan infrastructure investments. Adam strongly opposes opening the California coast to oil and gas drilling and has consistently voted against legislation that would allow drilling off the coast of California or that would weaken drilling safety regulations. He also supports a federal ban against all offshore drilling.
Adam believes the best way to keep energy prices low and decrease our reliance on foreign countries for fuel is to invest in alternative energy and fuel efficiency technologies. By marshaling America’s great strengths— our innovativeness, our technological prowess, and our entrepreneurial spirit— to develop clean energy technologies, Adam believes that we can better secure our nation, protect the environment, and become the world leader in a cutting-edge industry.
As a Californian, Adam knows just how destructive wildfires can be to communities across the state. And in college, Adam even served as a summer fire fighter. With the climate crisis bringing about unprecedented heatwaves and droughts, these wildfires have grown exponentially more frequent, deadly, devastating and expensive – and Adam believes we must use every tool available to protect lives and livelihoods from these horrifying blazes.
After the Station Fire, Adam led the fight to investigate the cause, and secured funding for additional night flying helicopters and scoopers to fight wildfires before they get out of control. In 2021, Adam led the California congressional delegation in calling for the Department of Defense to extend the FireGuard program, which uses defense technology to spot incipient blazes and allows firefighters to respond to them, before they spiral out of control. As a result of these efforts, the essential program – which was set to expire in September 2021 – was extended for at least another year. Adam will keep fighting for the resources needed to fight wildfires and decrease their destruction.
Restoring the Los Angeles River has long been one of Adam’s top priorities, and he has worked extensively with the City of Los Angeles and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on a plan to revitalize this essential waterway. In 2014, after years of evaluation and planning, the City of Los Angeles and Army Corps decided to move forward with an ambitious restoration plan for the Los Angeles River and to split the costs of the project, starting with environmental reviews and feasibility studies.
This ambitious project will restore more than 700 acres of open space along a broad stretch of the Los Angeles River stretching from Griffith Park to downtown Los Angeles and allow for a continuous, functioning ecosystem along the river corridor that could support birds, mammals, and fish, as well as recreational activities. New trails and overlooks will provide public access, along with bicycle and pedestrian connections to green spaces where families and communities can congregate.
Adam will continue to work to ensure the Congress provides robust funding for the Army Corps to ensure that the Los Angeles River project receives the federal support it needs.
Adam believes that wilderness lands, including the Southern California foothills, are treasures that we must continually work to preserve for future generations. That’s why he has supported many efforts to preserve wilderness lands across the country. In Southern California specifically, Adam introduced and passed the landmark Rim of the Valley Corridor Study Act, legislation that commissioned a study on the feasibility of expanding the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area to include the mountains and canyons in the Rim of the Valley Corridor. The Corridor consists of parts of the Santa Monica Mountains, Santa Susanna Mountains, San Gabriel Mountains, Verdugo Mountains, San Rafael Hills, and adjacent connector areas to the Los Padres and San Bernardino National Forests— in essence, many of the hills and mountains surrounding Burbank, Glendale, and other communities in our area.
The National Park Service began its study in 2010 and transmitted its final report to Congress in February of 2016. Over the following years, Rep. Schiff held numerous townhalls, conducted extensive outreach, and drafted the Rim of the Valley Corridor Preservation Act. The bill would expand the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area by approximately 191,000 acres, empowering the National Park Service and local communities to better protect this jewel of nature. In April 2019, the Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on the legislation, and in 2021, the House passed this legislation as part of an annual bill – but it did not proceed in the Senate. Adam intends to move this bill through the legislative process in order to preserve green space in the Los Angeles region. A map of the proposed expansion can be found here, and to view the fact sheet about the legislation, click here.
Adam believes the U.S. must maintain its vigilance and expertise in earthquake research and preparedness before the Big One. He has been the leader in Congress in supporting and providing funding for the West Coast Earthquake Early Warning System, developed by the U.S. Geological Survey, Caltech, UC Berkeley, and other West Coast universities. Such an early warning system would be enormously helpful in providing residents and first responders with advanced notice that could help avert major infrastructure damage, reduce injuries, and save lives.
Since 2012, Adam has led his colleagues in Congress in urging both the Office of Management and Budget and his fellow Appropriations Committee members to support funding for the Earthquake Hazards Program, and specifically, the Earthquake Early Warning system. Adam first secured $5 million in funding for the system in FY15. Since then, Congress has continually increased funding each fiscal year to support the growth of the system, thanks to Adam’s continued advocacy. Most recently, Adam led a letter to the Appropriations Committee in April 2021 with 40 House members asking for $28.6 million for the continued rollout and maintenance of the West Coast Earthquake Early Warning System. Adam continues to push for the necessary funding to fully build out this system, so that those who call the West Coast home can avoid unnecessary injury, damage, and death when the next Big One hits.
“Building safe and secure communities is, at its core, about building trust. It’s about fixing what’s broken and rooting out the systemic prejudices that tilt the scales of justice against Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous people. It’s going to take all of us to make the dream of a fair, just, and safe society a reality.”
– Rep. Adam Schiff
The systemic bias and racism that infects our criminal justice system has caused disproportionate harm to communities of color – and has diminished our overall public safety. As a former federal prosecutor, Rep. Adam Schiff has been a champion for progressive and practical criminal justice reform that will root out discriminatory practices and make our streets safe for everyone – no matter where they live or what they look like
Adam believes that the necessary work to reform our broken criminal justice system must begin with the eradication of systemic racism. Throughout American history, our policing system has disproportionately targeted Black individuals, ripping apart communities and contributing to a dangerous cycle of distrust between police and the communities they’re meant to serve. Adam is dedicated to ending the scourge of police violence that kills hundreds of innocent men and women each year.
Adam is an original cosponsor of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, a comprehensive plan that would reform the systems designed to hold police accountable, increase transparency, and improve police training and policies. Adam also supports the moratorium of the death penalty at both the state level in California and federally.
Adam believes we need smart, evidence-based criminal justice reforms that both foster equity and keep our cities safe, by reducing spending on corrections and increasing funding for rehabilitation programs, so that those who’ve served their time don’t wind up back in the system. The size and cost of our prison system has exploded over the past three decades, and studies show that savvy criminal justice reform can have the three-fold effect of reducing crime, reducing spending, and reducing recidivism. Adam is the leading advocate for the Justice Reinvestment Initiative, a data-driven program to rein in reckless and needless correctional spending, by putting money behind solutions that reduce recidivism and then reinvesting those correctional savings in the community.
As the father of two, Adam has been a dedicated advocate for child safety and believes we should always demand the best when it comes to protecting the next generation. For this reason, he introduced the Child Protection Improvements Act, which was signed into law on March 23, 2018. This bipartisan law ensures that community-based groups that provide mentoring, tutoring, and other assistance to young people perform cheap, fast, and accurate background checks on prospective volunteers and employees. Adam will continue to work to make sure this law is properly implemented.
Adam was a leader in gaining federal support to clear a decade-old backlog of DNA in the LAPD and Sheriff’s Office’s crime labs, which contained evidence collected from unsolved sexual assaults. Schiff obtained millions of dollars through the Appropriations process to reduce and ultimately eliminate the backlog of rape kits, helping to solve open cases and providing sorely needed closure to survivors and their families. Adam also spearheaded the effort to obtain substantial federal support to help create a state-of-the-art crime lab in Glendale. In May of 2012, the Verdugo Regional Crime Laboratory officially opened. Today, the Laboratory is capable of processing between 400 and 600 samples of DNA each month in sexual assaults, burglaries, and other violent crimes.
“As the proud parent of two children who were educated in our public schools, I know firsthand the importance of quality education and safe, well-run schools. The strength of our nation will be determined by the accessibility and quality of the education we provide to all Americans, no matter what they can afford or where they live. And I’m committed to fighting for the kind of education system our children deserve, and our future demands.”
– Rep. Adam Schiff
The crisis of college affordability has set an entire generation of Americans at a disadvantage, saddling them with debt and diminishing their prospects for long-term financial success. Rep. Adam Schiff believes the doors to higher education should be open to all, no matter their financial circumstances, which is why he is fighting for student loan forgiveness, the expansion of Pell Grants, and college affordability for all. Adam also recognizes the vitality of early childhood education and has been a strong advocate for strengthening Pre-K and K-12 programs so that the youngest among us can be set up for success.
Far too many students who pursue higher education find themselves overwhelmed by debt, and Americans owe an astounding $1.7 trillion in student loan debt – the second-highest form of consumer debt behind mortgage debt, and debt that hits people of color disproportionately. After graduating from school, Adam paid more in student loan debt than in rent and understands the psychological strain that this burden places upon our young people. That’s why Adam believes we must make a concerted effort to bring down the costs of higher education and alleviate the debt that goes with it. Adam supports canceling at least $50,000 in student loan debt for every borrower, as a first step toward putting an end to this crisis before it crushes yet another generation.
As a longtime supporter of Pell Grants, Adam voted to raise the maximum award per student to its highest level ever. He has also continuously opposed attempts to lower the maximum award and will continue to make sure students who want to attend an institution of higher education can do so. Adam also supports initiatives to streamline the ability of students to access information about federal student aid, and to ensure that all graduating students are familiar with their options for repaying their loans upon graduation.
Adam believes that we must make early education available to all children, including children whose parents cannot afford preschool or childcare. Not only does early education help prepare kids for primary school, but it also ensures that our nation has the flexible and innovative minds needed for future economic growth and discovery, and helps families with childcare costs.
Since 1965, Head Start has helped more than 30 million low-income preschool children establish a solid foundation for their future education with a wide range of early education and health services. Rep. Schiff has long supported increased funding for Head Start and Early Head Start, fighting to ensure these programs benefit as many children as possible. Adam is also a strong advocate for President Biden’s American Families Plan, which would, among other things, make universal childcare and preschool a reality for every American family.
Adam strongly supports the Build Back Better Act, which would dramatically increase the resources available to families for childcare. In California, more than 1.4 million children could benefit from the expanded childcare included in this critical legislation.
Congress has been working to reform the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, more commonly known as “No Child Left Behind,” which was signed into law by President George W. Bush. Adam believes that any reform needs to consider first the views of those most affected by the law – students, parents, teachers, and administrators – if it is going to truly improve education in our country. Accountability must include a variety of measures of performance, while also leaving room for teachers, parents, and school administrators – the people who know students best – to exercise their judgment on how to teach their students in different environments. Rep. Schiff continues to support robust funding for programs created by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as well as the Individuals with Disabilities Act and a host of other education programs that reflect his commitment to making sure every child has a first-class public education.
In an effort to combat bullying in schools, Adam is a co-sponsor of the Safe Schools Improvement Act, which would require school districts to have clear anti-bullying and anti-harassment policies. The Safe Schools Improvement Act would also require the reporting of the number and nature of bullying incidents for each school annually, so that parents can be better informed about the frequency of such episodes in their child’s school. Adam is also a co-sponsor of the Student Non-Discrimination Act, which would prohibit a school from discriminating against a student based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Combined, these two bills would go a long way towards ensuring that all students feel safe in our schools.
Our students' success will determine our future, and it is up to us to ensure that every student has access to an environment that allows them to reach their full potential. Schiff is a proud cosponsor of the Mental Health in Schools Act, which would increase funding for and expand the scope of the "Safe Schools-Healthy Students" program in order to provide access to more comprehensive school-based mental health services. It would also provide staff development for school and community service personnel, as well as training for children with mental health disorders, their parents, siblings, other family members, and concerned members of the community.
Finally, Adam is a strong supporter of efforts to decrease gun violence in our communities, including schools. The trauma that generations of students have faced due to gun violence in the halls of our nation’s schools must end. He will continue to advocate for comprehensive, commonsense measures to decrease gun violence, which have been opposed by Republicans in Congress and gun organizations like the National Rifle Association.
“American entrepreneurs invest time, money, and talent in the next great works of music, film, art, literature, and technology. These creators expect and deserve to be compensated for their work and skill, both at home and overseas. To assure the continued creation and distribution of music, movies, software, and books, we must ensure that our artists, creators, and producers are paid for their work."
– Rep. Adam Schiff
California’s 28th Congressional District is home to Hollywood, the entertainment capital of the world – and representing this iconic industry and those who work in it is a critical element of Rep. Adam Schiff’s work in Congress. Every individual who works in the entertainment sector – from filmmakers to stagehands to writers to performers – deserves to have their intellectual property protected and their interests represented in Washington. Adam is proud to be their voice in Congress, fighting to ensure that this vital industry continues to thrive in the digital age.
The American music, film, software, gaming, and book and journal publishing industries are among America’s top exporters, and millions of jobs depend on their continued international leadership. Americans must not be forced to subsidize the content that others steal. Likewise, American businesses should not be forced to compete with foreign companies that cut production costs by using unlicensed software or pirated scientific articles.
Adam founded the International Creativity and Theft Prevention Caucus, a bipartisan bicameral caucus whose goal was to increase awareness and understanding of the creative industries and to advocate for policies, at home and abroad, that prevent the theft of copyrighted materials.
Throughout the pandemic, Adam fought to ensure that all workers – even those with nontraditional employment like contractors, freelancers, and gig economy workers – could access the expanded unemployment assistance provided under the COVID relief bills. Many of those individuals and families who work in the entertainment industry were excluded from initially receiving assistance because they earned a living through a mix of self-employment and traditional jobs. Adam introduced the Mixed Earner Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Act, which was eventually included in the final COVID relief bill.
Adam has also led efforts in Congress to stand up for Hollywood unionized craft workers advocating for improved wages and working conditions on television sets. In 2021, Adam and Senator Alex Padilla urged the entertainment studios to ensure that all workers had sustainable benefits, increased living wages, and reasonable rest periods. After Adam’s advocacy, the workers reached a more equitable long-term contract.
Adam, as the co-chair of the International Creativity and Theft Prevention Caucus, has called on the major players in the advertising space to encourage them to study the problem, adopt best practices, and operationalize their commitment to keep advertising off sites dedicated to theft. Adam continuously urges these major players to provide updates detailing the concrete steps currently underway to evaluate “digital ad assurance” technologies.
Adam believes that the private sector plays an important role in reducing copyright infringement and has worked diligently with good actors in the online payment and advertising spaces to cut off funds to sites that profit by stealing the Intellectual Property of American creators.
Adam has led efforts in Congress to extend California’s film tax credit, including in 2014 when he led an effort with 28 members of the California Democratic Delegation urging the leaders of the California State Senate and Assembly to reauthorize and enhance the tax credit. A June 2013 study by the California Film Commission found that feature film production in the state was far down from previous highs due to runaway production. The Office of the Legislative Analyst recently found that only 52 percent of film and television jobs are in California, down from 65 percent just a decade ago. After advocacy by Adam and other Members of Congress, the State Legislature took up and passed an extension and expansion of the state’s film tax credit in 2014. Adam continues to fight to keep industry jobs in California.
“2021 was one of the deadliest years on record for gun violence, with thousands of Americans injured or killed by firearms. We must not resign ourselves to this as our tragic new ‘normal.’ We need to demand more of government and the private sector, including the manufacturers and dealers of firearms. If any other industry’s product enabled such violence and tragedy, they’d rightfully face accountability, and the gun industry should be no different.”
– Rep. Adam Schiff
For too long, Congress has failed to do anything to address the growing epidemic of gun violence. In 2021 alone, nearly 20,000 people died from gun violence in the United States. And while no one action is a panacea or silver bullet, that is not an excuse for inaction – Adam believes we need to take an all-of-the-above approach to curb gun violence.
After each mass shooting, there is a hope that Congress will finally be able to overcome opposition from Republicans and outside groups like the National Rifle Association, only for that hope to be dashed. Adam believes that if Congress is not able to act, the President must take aggressive executive action to curb gun violence and enact gun safety measures.
Adam has fought to make gun safety reforms a priority for Congress, and when Democrats took back the House in 2019, Adam pushed leadership to make gun safety one of the main actions they took. Still, despite House action, the Senate has refused to act or find reasonable compromises that can actually make a reasonable difference.
Adam is an original co-sponsor of the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, which would require a background check for every gun sale or transfer, with reasonable and explicit exceptions such as giving a gun as a gift to a close family member; loaning a gun for hunting or target shooting, or providing a gun in a moment of self-defense. Adam is also an original co-sponsor of the Enhanced Background Checks Act, which would provide the FBI additional time to complete background check investigations for firearm sales, ensuring that these dangerous weapons don’t fall into the wrong hands. Adam is a supporter of countless other gun safety measures in Congress, as well.
In 2005, Congress passed the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, which provides immunity in state and federal court from civil liability for licensed manufacturers, distributors, and dealers of firearms in most negligence and products liability actions. At the time, the NRA stated that this bill was their number one priority. To counter this dangerous law, Adam introduced the Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act, which would allow civil cases to go forward against irresponsible bad actors who’ve been able to hide behind PLCAA for far too long. Allowing courts to hear these cases will give the victims and families their day in court, while creating incentives for responsible business practices that would reduce gun-related injuries and deaths.
In 2021, President Biden said repealing PLCAA is a top priority for his gun safety agenda and Adam will continue to work with his colleagues in Congress to make sure the Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act is signed into law.
“Housing is a fundamental human right. And right now, too many members of our community are struggling to put and keep a roof over their heads. There are many ways Congress and the federal government can work with local communities to address these urgent challenges – and we must do so."
– Rep. Adam Schiff
California has always been a beacon for our nation’s adventurers, innovators, dreamers, and doers – and Adam wants to ensure it can remain that way for generations to come. Adam believes the federal government must do more to help states and localities solve the twin crises of housing affordability and homelessness, and throughout his time in Congress, he has fought ceaselessly to bring home millions in funding for affordable housing, supportive services for unhoused Southern Californians, and direct assistance for renters and homeowners. Adam is continuing to work with local communities to come up with creative solutions to address homelessness and housing affordability.
The dual health and economic crises caused by the coronavirus pandemic has created new challenges for renters, homeowners, and our unhoused neighbors. And throughout the course of this pandemic and before, Adam has fought tirelessly for the federal assistance necessary to mitigate these challenges. Adam urged House leadership to provide more than $100 billion in direct assistance to renters, homeowners, and homeless service providers facing insecurity as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, much of which was eventually included in the final bills. Adam also championed protections against evictions and foreclosures, rallying on the steps of the Capitol to extend the eviction moratorium and voting in favor of these important provisions when they were passed by the House in June 2020.
Adam also strongly supported the housing provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, also known as the CARES Act, which was signed into law in March 2020. This relief package provided more than $7 billion in emergency funding for affordable housing and homelessness assistance programs to help low-income and working-class individuals avoid housing disruption caused by loss of employment or childcare, health crises, or other unforeseen circumstances related to COVID-19. In addition, the CARES Act included mortgage forbearance for homeowners and eviction protections for renters in all properties with federally backed loans, as well as direct relief payments and expanded unemployment compensation to help families meet their housing expenses.
Adam continued to advocate for strong housing assistance in 2021, which saw the passage of the American Rescue Plan. This historic package included an additional $45 billion for federal affordable housing, homelessness, and mortgage assistance programs to prevent evictions and foreclosures, provide rapid rehousing, and operate emergency shelters.
Adam is deeply concerned with the crisis of homelessness across California and Los Angeles. Since coming to Congress, he has fought for increased federal funding to support state and local government and community organizations that are working to get struggling Californians back on their feet and into their homes.
Adam believes that we must address the root causes of homelessness by providing supportive housing and services, which is why he has advocated for federal support for organizations that provide outreach, services, and permanent housing programs. He has also supported federal efforts – like Housing Choice Vouchers – designed to make housing more affordable for every American, not just those who’ve been unhoused.
Adam is also an original cosponsor of the Ending Homelessness Act, which would appropriate more than $13 billion in emergency funding for federal housing and homelessness initiatives to ensure that the federal government’s response to the homelessness crisis matches the scale of the problem. He believes that we have the resources and capacity to end homelessness, but that such an undertaking will require federal investment and leadership.
Families around the country, and especially in California, face a pronounced shortage of affordable housing options. Housing has become particularly unaffordable in Southern California neighborhoods and, as the cost of rent outstrips income growth, more families will be in danger of becoming unhoused.
In February 2020, Adam introduced the Affordable and Homeless Housing Incentives Act, which would create new tax incentives to help nonprofits and public agencies acquire property to use as homeless shelters or affordable housing. This legislation would provide tax benefits to property owners who sell to public and nonprofit housing developers who agree to operate the property as affordable or homeless housing for at least thirty years. In communities with expensive real estate markets, like Los Angeles, this new incentive will provide public agencies and nonprofits who develop affordable and homeless housing an added advantage as they compete with private developers to acquire property.
Adam is also a longtime supporter of the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Housing Choice Voucher program, which subsidizes rent for low-income families. He has fought to ensure that this program and others like it are adequately and consistently funded. He has also worked with local Housing Authorities to make these programs easier to administer and receive, particularly for tenants who have moved from one jurisdiction to another.
In May 2019, Adam joined his California colleagues in opposing proposed rules by the Trump administration that would prevent households with immigrant family members who do not have legal status in the U.S. from receiving federal housing assistance. In Los Angeles, this proposal was estimated to negatively impact more than 11,500 residents.
Adam is also a co-sponsor and strong supporter of the Fair Housing Improvement Act to protect people who rely on federal vouchers to pay rent from housing discrimination. Already, low-income families and veterans must endure exorbitantly long waiting periods to receive federal housing assistance. And even still, some of them are later turned away by landlords for no other reason than the fact they receive government aid. That is a form of discrimination that only perpetuates cycles of poverty and homelessness, preventing families from moving into neighborhoods with better schools and job opportunities. And, for communities of color that have been persistently excluded from housing opportunities, the ramifications of this discrimination and its subsequent economic disparities can be felt for generations.
Adam believes homeownership is one of the most important ways to build wealth and a brighter future, and has hosted events in the district and supports federal programs to foster homeownership, particularly for first-time buyers and veterans.
In the aftermath of the 2008 recession, Adam fought to address the foreclosure crisis and hold financial institutions accountable for their greed and negligence. Throughout 2008 and 2009, Adam advocated for hundreds of constituents seeking to avert foreclosures, helping them take advantage of federal support and resources. Similarly, during the coronavirus pandemic, Adam has vigorously supported mortgage forbearance, as well as direct relief payments to support homeowners struggling to stay afloat during the economic crisis.
Throughout his time in Congress, including as a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, Adam has consistently fought for robust funding for federal housing programs. Most recently, Adam urged the Congress to provide more than $31 billion in funding for federal housing programs.
For many years, Adam has prioritized federal funding for the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Program, which provides housing support for persons with AIDS and related illnesses. This year, Adam requested $600 million for the program, and at the end of July 2021, the House passed a funding bill providing such an amount.
As an appropriator, Adam has also prioritized funding for programs in annual funding bills, such as:
Tenant-based Rental Assistance: Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers are a form of tenant-based rental assistance funded by the federal government. Adam requested $25.9 billion for Tenant-based Rental Assistance for 2022. The House-passed Transportation, Housing and Urban Development funding bill provided $29.2 billion.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program: HUD-VASH provides homeless veterans rental assistance in the form of Section 8 vouchers from HUD and supportive services from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Adam advocated for the maximum amount of funding for the program and the House passed appropriations bill provided $25 million for HUD-VASH for 2022.
HUD-HOME Investment Partnership: The HOME Investment Partnerships Program is a housing block grant program administrated by HUD and designed to expand the supply of decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable housing. Adam requested at least $1.7 billion for the program for 2022 from the Congress.
Adam has also sought federal support for local organizations, securing specific funding for Union Station Foundation in Pasadena, for example, and working with others in the Los Angeles delegation to allow the West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs campus to be redeveloped into affordable housing.
“Being an ally to the LGBTQ+ community is about affirming the dignity and worth in everyone — no matter who they love or how they identify. And while our country has made significant progress in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, we’ve still got a long way to go until true equality for all is won."
– Rep. Adam Schiff
As vice chair of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, Rep. Adam Schiff actively supports the rights of all citizens to be treated equally under the law, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Adam is also a leader on the expansion and protection of LGBTQ+ rights abroad, dedicated to ending violence and discrimination.
Many LGBTQ+ Americans still lack basic legal protections in far too many states. LGBTQ+ individuals are excluded from federal civil rights protections, which leaves millions of people subject to discrimination, if they live in a state that does not grant equal rights and protections. But the need for inclusion in federal law is clear as nearly two-thirds of LGBTQ+ Americans report that they have experienced some form of discrimination.
Adam is an original co-sponsor of the bipartisan Equality Act, which would provide comprehensive, federal nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ individuals in employment, housing, credit, education, public spaces and services, federally funded programs, and jury service. The Equality Act would amend existing civil rights law—including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Fair Housing Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, and the Jury Selection and Services Act - to explicitly include sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes. The House passed this legislation for the second time in 2021, and Adam will continue to push this bill forward until it finally crosses the finish line.
Adam believes in supporting initiatives to increase access to quality health care services for the LGBTQ+ community. He introduced the PrEP Access and Coverage Act to expand access to and insurance coverage of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, the proven HIV prevention drug. The bill would create a grant program to fund uninsured patients’ access to this critical medication and would cover services related to treatment as Adam believes that no one should contract HIV simply because they cannot afford preventative medicine.
In the fiscal year 2022 appropriations bill, Adam secured $775,000 for the Los Angeles LGBT Center to support the construction of a Federally Qualified Health Center, which would provide expanded testing, treatment, and prevention services to address HIV and sexually transmitted diseases in Los Angeles County. He will continue to advocate for this funding.
Adam also introduced a resolution to highlight the urgent need for nondiscriminatory blood and blood product donation policies in the United States. The resolution underscores that policies governing blood and blood product donation should be grounded in science and based on individual risk factors that do not unfairly single out any group of individuals, particularly LGBTQ+ individuals. There is a large contingent of healthy people who are ready, willing, and able to donate blood and plasma, but antiquated regulations grounded in bigotry prevent them from doing so. In 2020, the FDA took an important first step towards eliminating the unscientific policy that blocks many gay and bisexual men from donating blood, and Adam believes it’s time to permanently transition to a system that does not discriminate.
Adam is a co-sponsor of the Every Child Deserves a Family Act, which would provide equal treatment for LGBTQ+ couples who hope to adopt or foster a child. In some states, LGBTQ+ individuals and couples are banned from serving as adoptive or foster parents, and public child welfare agencies discriminate against qualified adoptive LGBTQ+ families. No child should be denied access to a safe and healthy home and no family should be banned from providing a loving home to a child in need based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status.
“An independent, free press is critical to democracy both at home and around the world, and as journalists have increasingly come under assault by autocrats and fledgling democracies alike, we must redouble our efforts to protect and promote the freedom of the press.”
– Rep. Adam Schiff
In 2006, Rep. Adam Schiff co-founded the Congressional Caucus for Freedom of the Press to highlight the importance of a free and open press to democracy, as well as draw attention to censorship by repressive regimes and the persecution of journalists. Since then, Adam has stood up for journalists around the world that have been threatened, persecuted, and jailed for reporting the truth or telling the stories that the powerful or violent would rather keep in the shadows.
Today, there remain far too many nations in which the safety, well-being, and freedoms of journalists are under daily threat. In 2010, Adam along with then-Rep. Mike Pence passed the Daniel Pearl Freedom of the Press Act, a first of its kind bill to require the State Department to report on the status of press freedom in every country around the world and provide funding aimed at broadening and strengthening the independence of journalists and independent media organizations. Sadly, since then, attacks on journalists have been on the rise.
After the horrific murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, who was targeted by powerful forces who wished to silence dissenting voices with impunity, Adam introduced the Jamal Khashoggi Press Freedom Accountability Act in October 2020 to ensure that the United States and its State Department hold accountable those who commit extrajudicial killings and other gross violations of human rights against journalists.
This legislation would prohibit U.S. foreign assistance to government entities and levy targeted sanctions against individuals that perpetrate gross human rights violations against journalists and would require the Department of State to document incidents of online harassment and electronic surveillance of journalists in its annual Human Rights Reports. Adam is continuing to work to build support for this legislation.
“The right to vote is the right from which all others flow and protecting the right to vote today is more critical than it has been for decades. Republicans in state legislatures across the nation are engaged in an all-out assault on our democracy, enacting highly restrictive voter suppression and vote subversion laws designed to disenfranchise voters, particularly Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous voters. Not since the Jim Crow era have we witnessed such brazen efforts to bar people from the ballot box. It’s despicable – and it cannot be allowed to stand. History will judge us by how we meet this moment.”
– Rep. Adam Schiff
Before Rep. Adam Schiff was elected to public office, he was best known for securing the conviction of former FBI agent Richard Miller, who had been trading American national defense secrets to the Soviet Union in exchange for illicit favors. From that case and his work supporting emerging democracies in the post-Soviet bloc, Adam developed a unique and comprehensive vigilance of both the external and internal threats to democratic self-governance – and a sense of duty to protect those values at home. Since then, Adam has introduced, sponsored, and defended legislation to protect the bedrock of American democracy: from safeguarding the right to vote, to ensuring free and fair elections, to preventing those elected to office from abusing their awesome powers.
Across the country, the right to vote is under attack. New state laws are restricting voter registration drives, eliminating same-day voter registration, reducing the early voting period, and requiring photo identification and proof of citizenship to vote – all of which disproportionately impact young, elderly, minority, low-income, and disabled voters. But the rollback of voting rights is not confined to the states; the Supreme Court has recently made it more difficult to ensure adequate protection from disenfranchisement in federal elections.
Adam is a strong believer that the Voting Rights Act of 1965 has been enormously important in protecting Americans’ right to vote, by requiring that states, counties, and municipalities with histories of voter discrimination obtain federal preclearance before changing voting laws. That’s why he was proud to co-sponsor the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which passed the House in August 2021, and would establish new criteria for determining which jurisdictions must get preclearance – ensuring the rights of today’s most vulnerable populations are protected.
Adam is also a proud co-sponsor of H.R.1: the For the People Act, which passed the House in January 2021. This legislation will empower voters and strengthen our democracy by ending partisan gerrymandering, making Election Day a federal holiday, banning voter roll purging, expanding automatic voter registration and early voting, giving public matching funds for small donors, and increasing disclosure. It will ultimately make it easier to vote, bring much-needed reform to our campaign finance system, and help fight corruption so that the government is working for the American people – not special interests or big donors.
After events in recent years, we must do everything we can to ensure no future president can undermine our democracy by placing their own interests above the nation’s interests. That’s why Adam introduced the Protecting Our Democracy Act to address abuses of presidential power, strengthen checks and balances, accountability, transparency, and combat foreign interference in our elections. Along with the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and For the People Act, it is the third pillar of House Democrats’ pro-democracy agenda.
This bill, which passed the House in December 2021, would prevent presidential abuses of the pardon power enforce the emoluments clauses of the Constitution, allow Congress to enforce subpoenas, reassert the power of the purse, and strengthen oversight. It would also protect our elections by mandating reporting on any interference and taking measures to prevent interference in the first place.
Adam was elected to Congress in 2000 after a race that was, at the time, the most expensive in the history of the House of Representatives. This race helped form his strong belief that reform is desperately needed to tackle election spending by corporations and wealthy individuals. The first bill Adam co-sponsored in Congress was the bipartisan McCain-Feingold Act to regulate the financing of political campaigns, which was later passed and signed into law.
Since 2010, hundreds of millions of special interest dollars have been poured into campaigns as a result of Supreme Court decisions that allow corporations to spend unlimited funds on campaign ads and struck down decades of restrictions on corporate spending in electoral campaigns as well as limits on overall federal campaign contributions. Adam believes that a constitutional amendment is necessary to remedy this threat to our democracy and overturn Citizens United. For that reason, Adam has written and introduced such an amendment that would allow Congress to set reasonable limits on campaign contributions and independent expenditures and would allow states to enact their own public financing laws.
“The virus of racism persists in part because we can never fully understand what it is like to stand in someone else’s shoes. I can never fully understand what it means to be stopped while walking down the street, or while driving, just because of the color of my skin. I can never fully understand what it means to have a talk with my child about how to survive a police encounter. We often see each other but dimly, even with both eyes open.
“And yet, we must try. We must not turn away. We must acknowledge our own implicit biases. We must join together, not stand apart or stay silent. And use our voices to lift up, rather than divide.”
– Rep. Adam Schiff
Adam is committed to dismantling the systemic racism that plagues our country and making sure that everyone, no matter the color of their skin or the community they grew up in, has every opportunity to thrive and succeed. Adam has authored and supported legislation that aims to right these historic wrongs, including by reforming our criminal justice system, reimagining policing, and addressing longstanding racial inequities in our health care system.
Police brutality is an issue that has plagued communities of color, particularly Black communities, for far too long. The systemic lack of accountability has allowed some police and other law enforcement officials to perpetrate violence in communities they are meant to protect by profiling, arresting, and even murdering without cause. George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Philando Castile, Alton Sterling, Sandra Bland, and so many others have been needlessly killed by police across the country, and reforms are critically needed.
Adam is proud to co-sponsor the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which passed the House in March 2021. This bill is a comprehensive approach toward reimagining policing in this country by increasing accountability, restricting the use of certain policing practices, enhancing transparency, and establishing new training requirements and best practices. It also places new limits on qualified immunity as a defense to liability in private civil actions against officers and creates a national registry where data on complaints and records of misconduct will be compiled.
Adam will continue to support and fight for these reforms and others that will help reduce instances of police brutality and misconduct – because lives depend on it.
While the U.S. has less than 5% of the global population, we account for nearly 25% of incarcerated individuals in the world. Mass incarceration and discrimination has had a disproportionate impact on communities of color. Black individuals, despite only representing 13% of the population in the U.S., account for approximately 40% of incarcerated individuals. Criminal justice reform is desperately needed.
Adam strongly supported the First Step Act, which was signed into law in 2018. It has provisions aimed at reducing recidivism rates, restricting restraints on pregnant prisoners, sentencing reform, implementing comprehensive de-escalation procedures, and reporting on capacity to treat addiction issues. Further reform is needed, and Adam will continue to support and work on legislation that creates a criminal justice system based on human rights, restoration, and safety. For more information, visit the Criminal Justice Reform issue page.
As America confronts its legacy of racism and discrimination, we must recognize that in the field of healthcare, discrimination can be among the most pernicious because it is a matter of life and death. Adam believes we must apply a civil rights framework to healthcare, by ensuring that every patient receives equal care, regardless of the color of their skin, their ethnicity, or any other characteristic. Adam authored the Equal Health Care for All Act, which would establish an Office of Civil Rights and Health Equity within the Department of Health and Human Services, strengthening the existing Office of Civil Rights and create a private right of action for patients to bring suit in state or federal court for failure to provide equitable care.
Adam knows that the impacts of slavery are still pervasive in America, where institutional racism has exacerbated inequities in everything from housing and education to health care and incarceration for Black Americans. Schiff is committed to deconstructing institutional racism and addressing our nation’s shameful legacy of slavery.
In order to confront and overcome that legacy, we must learn the full truth of slavery’s history and impact and find a path forward for healing. Adam is proud to cosponsor a resolution to establish a U.S. Commission on Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation. He is also a co-sponsor of legislation to would establish a commission to study and develop reparation proposals.
Adam is also a cosponsor of a resolution that would create a Slavery Remembrance Day, as well as of a resolution that recognized June 19, 2021, as Juneteenth – which President Joe Biden consecrated as our newest national holiday.
“Answering the big questions about our planet and the history of the cosmos means investing today in the missions that will provide us with a better understanding of the earth, and take robotic probes to Mars, the moons of Jupiter, and beyond. Science and the majesty of space have the ability to inspire all generations of Americans, as we look to the skies and dream big.”
– Rep. Adam Schiff
As the home of NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the 28th congressional district has seen first-hand the impact that investment in pioneering space exploration and research can have on both the local economy and our broader understanding of the world, our solar system, and the universe. Adam believes America must remain a leader in discovering new information about our universe and the planet we call home and ensure that we do all we can to prioritize the mission to explore space and its many wonders and mysteries.
Since the earliest days of the space age, NASA has played a major role in the scientific and technological pre-eminence of the United States, and Adam has fought to prevent a drift away from investment in maintaining our leadership of the exploration of the cosmos, particularly as other nations increase their investments. Adam believes that scientific innovation is the cornerstone of the 21st-century economy, and technological breakthroughs depend upon a steady flow of promising new discoveries and the contributions of skilled researchers assisted by federal science investments in universities and National Laboratories.
As the representative for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Schiff has successfully ensured robust funding for NASA, particularly its planetary science mission and earth science missions, is prioritized and included in each year’s government funding bill. These investments pay dividends not only for NASA, but also for entrepreneurs and inventors in California and around the country.
Adam is determined to maintain America’s advantage in robotic space exploration and believes science and technology funding is vital to ensuring that America continues to be at the forefront. He has successfully fought to restore a series of extremely damaging funding cuts to planetary science, widely known as the “crown jewel” of America’s space program – and much of which takes place at JPL. He is also pushing to make a new mission to Jupiter’s moon, Europa, a reality, which many scientists think possibly harbors life.
Adam supports a robust human spaceflight program that builds off the successes of commercially developed vehicles, technologies, and systems to resupply the International Space Station and reach low-Earth orbit. With the first unmanned tests of the Orion crew vehicle and the ongoing development of the rockets to get us into orbit and beyond, Adam is confident that America’s human spaceflight program will achieve new heights with continued support from Congress.
“Infrastructure is about repairing roads and bridges, yes. But it’s also about ensuring those roads and bridges connect our families and communities – and preparing for tomorrow’s challenges. Infrastructure is about building interconnected communities – investing in public transit, expanding access to broadband, creating safe and affordable housing, and ensuring no child in America drinks water from lead pipes. We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to invest in our future – and we must not allow this moment to pass us by.”
– Rep. Adam Schiff
Investment in America’s infrastructure is long overdue – and Adam believes we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to repair and rebuild the roads, bridges, housing, and schools Angelenos rely on every day. This will not only improve Californians’ quality of life, but it will also keep America competitive in the global economy. Infrastructure investments are also an opportunity to build out and invest in green technologies and create green jobs that will allow the U.S. to combat the climate crisis.
Adam has worked throughout his time in Congress to secure federal funding for local infrastructure projects, including road, sidewalk, and bridge repairs, expanded electrical vehicle charging locations and investments, programs to combat erosion, increased funding for local public transportation, rail and transit, and resources to improve highways. Schiff has also supported efforts to increase safe access to road for bicycles.
Adam also believes in preserving and expanding green space in our communities and has supported federal legislation that would help to revitalize parks and park infrastructure. He is also a supporter of local projects such as the proposed 44-acre Hollywood Central Park, which would create a street-level expansion of green space over the 101 Freeway between Hollywood and Santa Monica Boulevards.
Adam has long supported transportation projects that alleviate Los Angeles’s congestion, reach underserved communities, and pave the way towards a greener future. In June 2021, he secured nearly $20 million in funding for local transportation and infrastructure priorities in his district, which he will continue to work for. Adam is a vocal proponent of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, believing it is a down payment on critically needed green technology investments. He believes that the Senate must pass the Build Back Better Act to comprehensively invest in green infrastructure and jobs.
Since his days as a state Senator, Adam was known as the “father” of the Pasadena Gold Line – which provides light rail transit to L.A. County’s San Gabriel Valley and foothill communities – and remains committed to funding this and other transportation projects that will benefit areas still underserved by public transit options.
For most Angelenos, frequent helicopter noise is a way of life—and not a welcome one. Adam has led the charge on efforts to ensure that the use of helicopters near residential areas does not reduce the quality of life for L.A. residents.
Adam, with the support of Los Angeles congressional delegation, successfully passed a legislative provision that required the FAA to initiate regulations addressing helicopter noise above L.A. In 2015, the FAA launched a helicopter noise complaint system for Los Angeles County, but the Secretary of Transportation also determined that enough progress had been made to avoid regulatory action on helicopter traffic in the county. More recently, the FAA decided to terminate funding for the noise complaint system altogether.
Adam strongly disagreed with both decisions and continues to urge the FAA to improve the noise complaint system rather than terminate its funding. In the meantime, Adam will continue to work with the community, the FAA, and helicopter operators to bring relief to Los Angeles residents.
Adam recognizes that many residents who live near the Hollywood Burbank Airport continue to experience disruptive noise from flights, particularly at night, and have been frustrated with the FAA’s implementation of new routes at the airport. In March 2019, Adam joined Rep. Brad Sherman and Senators Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris in formally asking the FAA to lead community roundtables to address noise issues.
Adam has also supported a mandatory nighttime curfew for Bob Hope Airport so that Burbank residents can sleep peacefully. He will continue to work with the FAA, airports in our region, and the affected communities to help achieve meaningful relief for citizens of San Fernando Valley.
“Veterans and those in uniform represent the best that our country has to offer. Their service, their sacrifice, and their willingness to put their own lives on the line to defend this nation deserve nothing less than our utmost respect and gratitude, every day. We will never stop working to ensure that when our courageous servicemembers return home, they and their families have the resources and support befitting their exceptional patriotism.”
– Rep. Adam Schiff
As the son of an Army veteran, Rep. Adam Schiff understands that Congress and the nation have an obligation to provide quality care and support for all our military personnel, whether they are currently serving or are now retired. Servicemembers have sacrificed on behalf of our country, and while that is a debt we can never fully repay, Adam believes we owe military personnel and veterans the support and resources they’ve earned throughout their careers and retirement.
Adam supports numerous efforts to address the underlying problems at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and is a strong proponent of initiatives to increase access to quality health care services for our servicemembers and veterans they earned. Specifically, Adam supports the Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2020, which would establish an Office of Minority Health in the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs to address longstanding inequalities in health care that affect servicemembers and veterans of color. In addition to protecting servicemembers and veterans of color, Adam is continuing to fight to undo the decades of discrimination against servicemembers in the LGBTQ+ community.
Adam also co-sponsored the Helping Veterans Exposed to Toxic Chemicals Act, which would direct the Secretary of Defense to establish three Centers of Excellence for the prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, and rehabilitation of health conditions caused by exposure to environmental conditions such as open burn pits. Additionally, Adam joined his House colleagues in passing the Protecting Moms Who Served Act, which would require the VA to provide community maternity care providers with training and support with respect to the unique needs of pregnant and postpartum veterans.
In 2014, in response to the unacceptable delays reported at various Veterans Health Administration facilities across the country, the Obama administration launched a comprehensive audit of Department of Veterans Affairs facilities across the country. The audit revealed more than 100,000 veterans experiencing long wait times for medical appointments, and Adam continues to call on the VA to urgently address these chronic deficiencies.
Adam knows that military retirees have made countless personal sacrifices during their careers in service. And their heroic efforts are just the beginning: family members truly serve as well, by picking up extra responsibilities when their loved ones depart for long deployments, adjusting to new jobs and schools as they move to new duty stations, and working through other stresses of the military lifestyle. When our servicemembers retire, Adam believes we owe it to these individuals to ensure that they and their families are cared for.
Adam has supported the Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act, which would repeal the offset of the Survivors Benefit Program and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation for military survivors and requires the payment of an annuity to a member’s dependent children when there is no eligible surviving spouse. Adam has also supported the Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act, which would permit retired members of the Armed Forces who have a service-related disability rated less than 50 percent to receive concurrent payment of both retired pay and veterans’ disability compensation, eliminates the phase-in period, and makes permanent the eligibility for Chapter 61 disability retirees with less than 20 years of service.
Adam strongly supports ongoing efforts to advance military justice reform and improve protections for survivors of military sexual trauma. That’s why Adam backed the military justice reform provisions included in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2022. This historic legislation finally moves sexual assault cases out of the military chain of command, ensuring that independent military attorneys outside of the victim’s chain of command will decide whether to prosecute sexual assault cases. While this is an encouraging step forward, Adam believes additional reforms must be instituted to ensure justice for servicemembers who experience sexual violence, and continues to work with leaders like Rep. Jackie Speier to protect those who protect our country. That’s why Adam will continue to fight to improve accountability in military sexual harassment cases and support further efforts to eliminate assault and harassment in the military.
Educational benefits for service members and veterans ensure they have every opportunity to learn new skills that can be applied to their military career or transition to the civilian workforce. Adam supported the post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2010, which was signed into law, increasing eligibility, increasing assistance amounts, expanding the list of allowed educational programs, expanding payments for licensing, certification, admissions, and placement tests, and providing additional living allowances for veterans with service-connected disabilities. Adam also supported the GI Bill Tuition Fairness Act, also signed into law, which allows veterans to attend state-run higher education institutions at in-state tuition rates regardless of their residency status, and extends authorities for various educational, employment, and housing benefits.
According to the VA, more than 37,000 veterans are experiencing homeless or live in shelters or within community-based organizations. More than 3,900 homeless veterans reside in Los Angeles County alone. Many more low-income veterans and families live on the margins and are at risk of becoming homeless in the absence of permanent housing solutions and supportive services.
Adam believes no servicemember, veteran, or military family member who bravely served our nation should go unhoused. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Adam continuously worked to fully fund the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Supportive voucher program, which provides rental assistance and case management and clinical services for homeless veterans. Adam has also supported the Homes for Heroes Act, which would provide shelter for homeless veterans and their families and help prevent low-income families from falling into homelessness, as well as comprehensive federal funding to end homelessness.
The USS Frank E. Evans collided with the Australian ship, the HMAS Melbourne, on June 3, 1969, while conducting a training exercise in the South China Sea. As a result of the collision, the bow of the American destroyer quickly sank, and 74 sailors lost their lives. Unfortunately, the sailors did not meet the Department of Defense's geographic criteria for inclusion on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial since at the time of the collision, the Evans was outside the area designated as the combat zone. The issue was first brought to Adam’s attention several years ago by a constituent who lost his father in the accident.
Adam has been working for several years to petition the Secretary of Defense to grant an exemption to the criteria requirements for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, so that these men may join their 58,000 comrades on the Wall. While the ultimate decision rests with the Secretary, Adam has been successful in including supportive language in the National Defense Authorization bill. He will continue to press the issue.
“America owes its global economic prowess to the ingenuity and drive of its workforce – not to the select few at the top, but to the hundreds of millions of workers and working families who make this country run. Yet these individuals are too often denied the opportunities they deserve as the ultra-rich continue to rig the game against them. We need bold policy solutions to close the historic economic inequality gap we’re witnessing today. And I’m proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with every working American in that fight.”
– Rep. Adam Schiff
For too long, hundreds of millions of working individuals have been shut out of the American dream, as the rich grow richer and workers and working families struggle to make ends meet. Adam believes that America is only as strong as its middle class – which is why he’s been a long-time advocate for bold policies and programs that will close the cavernous wealth gap and help working individuals thrive.
Adam knows it is long past time to raise the minimum wage – because hardworking people should never struggle to make ends meet. He is an original cosponsor of the Raise the Wage Act, which would increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour within five years and index it to median wage growth thereafter – lifting millions of Americans out of poverty, stimulating the economy, and helping working individuals support their families and themselves.
Adam also believes that a universal basic income – providing struggling individuals and families with regular small payments to help make ends meet – deserves serious consideration and supports potential pilot projects around the country. Studies show that providing direct financial relief to those caught in the worst cycles of poverty fosters long-term economic prosperity that echoes across generations.
Adam believes the wealthy and large corporations must pay their fair share in taxes. He supports every effort to strengthen enforcement of the U.S. tax code to recover money the wealthy already owe, as well as eliminating loopholes and unfair exemptions – such as tax preferences for fossil fuels – and minimizing opportunities for U.S. companies to evade taxes by relying on tax havens abroad. Adam also strongly supports repealing the tax cuts for the wealthiest and big corporations passed under the Trump Administration.
Adam will always stand with workers and unions as they pursue better lives for themselves and their families. Adam knows that many of the workplace protections Americans enjoy today – from the 40-hour work week and the minimum wage to employer-sponsored health benefits and the end of child labor – are owed to labor organizers and movements, and as income inequality widens, the need for unions has never been greater. He is an original cosponsor of the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, which would expand critical labor protections related to workers’ rights to organize and collectively bargain for better wages, better schedules, and safer working conditions, in the face of large corporations who seek to undermine these rights.
Adam is a fervent supporter of equal pay—and believes it is not only an issue of fairness for women but for all working families. He voted for the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, signed into law in January 2009, which today helps ensure women earn equal pay for the same work done by their male colleagues. It also makes employers who violate sex-based discrimination prohibitions liable in a civil action for either compensatory or punitive damages.
Adam was also an original cosponsor of the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would strengthen the Equal Pay Act of 1963 with larger penalties for claims of pay discrimination and new protections for employees. Adam has been a cosponsor of this bill since his first term in Congress. Adam is also a proud cosponsor of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, which prohibits employers from discriminating against pregnant workers by requiring reasonable accommodations for employees affected by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.
Small businesses have always been an engine of economic growth and have helped power America. Unfortunately, small businesses today are suffering from an uncertain economic climate given the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, Adam was proud to support the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, which provided $377 billion in assistance to small businesses through several different avenues including Paycheck Protection Program loans, tax credits, and grants. He also supported President Biden’s American Rescue Plan and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Adam will continue to fight for small businesses as they continue to rebuild and recover from the pandemic. Click here to learn more about how you and your business can access this assistance.
The Los Angeles Regional Small Business Development Centers Network is part of the nationwide Small Business Development Centers program. More than 1.3 million businesses take advantage of SBDC management advising, education, and instruction every year. Federal, state and local funding enable SBDCs to provide low-cost and no-cost seminars and workshops on a wide variety of subjects such as business plans, incorporation, capital sourcing, marketing, contracting, procurement, and technology. Additionally, business advisors are available by appointment to meet at your place of business.
The right to vote is the most fundamental right in any democracy, since it is the right from which all others meaningfully derive. Deny someone the right to vote, and you may deny them the right to speak, to associate with whom they choose or to freely exercise their faith – for if these other rights are infringed, how may we seek redress but at the ballot box. Not even the courts can secure our rights in the absence of an effective franchise. Congress established the inferior courts and Congress may abolish them; the right to vote alone is foundation to all of the others
American entrepreneurs invest their time, money and talent into creating the next must-have music, film and technology, and justly expect to be compensated by the market, both at home and overseas. To assure the continued creation and distribution of music, movies, software and books, from which we all benefit, we must ensure that our artists, creators and producers are paid for their work. Our creative industries employ millions of Americans and are some of our most competitive exports. All we want is a level playing field where all nations live up to their obligations to protect intellectual property and enforce the law
The United States must acknowledge and recognize the Armenian Genocide – to call what was the first genocide of the 20th Century, a genocide – and to stand with the ever-dwindling number of survivors, as well as the descendants of those who were lost. They must not continue to suffer the indignity, injury and pain of denial
There is no issue more critical to the future of our world and community than protecting the environment and ensuring that we are investing in clean and renewable energy. As a Member of Congress, as an American, and as a father, I feel a keen sense of obligation to care for our environment and the other creatures that share the Earth with us, and invest in the future by adopting an Apollo Project-like effort to transition us from fossil fuels. As President Theodore Roosevelt said, ‘The nation behaves well if it treats the natural resources as assets which it must turn over to the next generation increased, and not impaired, in value
The passage of the Affordable Care Act was a major milestone in fixing our broken health care system, ensuring that those with pre-existing conditions can access care, extending health insurance to millions of Americans, and helping to slow the growth of health care costs to their lowest rates in decades. But it’s clear we still have much more work to do to continue to improve our healthcare delivery system to make sure health care is affordable and high quality for all Americans
It’s clear that our current immigration system is broken and badly in need of change. Congress must turn its attention to the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants currently in the United States and enact reform that provides a path to legalization and eventually citizenship, provided they play by the rules and pay their taxes. It’s important that we approach the issue of immigration with a sense of urgency, a spirit of compassion, and a commitment to security
The Great Recession has taken an enormous toll on Los Angeles and our nation – and my focus has been getting Americans back to work, reducing unemployment, and restoring America’s place as a manufacturing powerhouse. While the economy has improved substantially from the depths of the Great Recession, with the national unemployment rate now below 6 percent, we still have a long way to go. I’m pursuing policies to keep America the most creative, entrepreneurial and technologically advanced country in the world, and to bolster U.S. exports
We have a moral obligation to support those who have made great sacrifices for our nation. We owe an immeasurable debt to the brave men and women who have put themselves in harm’s way for our safety, as we are reminded by witnessing their sacrifices. I am committed to ensuring that benefits and health care are accessible and effective for veterans and their families
An America that inspires hope in its ideals is the best complement to an America that inspires awe in its strength. Integrity, generosity, and vision have always been essential cornerstones of our policy and prosperity. We are a more secure America when we rally the world to our side.
We have a responsibility to seniors to see that we provide them with a decent standard of living. Social Security has been the linchpin of that commitment for decades. I believe this time tested program must be maintained and strengthened. Efforts to privatize the Social Security system will not improve its solvency, but instead will restructure and harm the most durable safety net program in American history
Building safe and secure communities is one of our most important national goals. To succeed, we must create drug- and crime-free schools, support a professional, visible police force rooted in our communities, and invest critical resources in the prevention and intervention of criminal activity by at-risk youth