Adam Bennett Schiff is an American politician, lawyer, and writer who has represented California at the federal level for more than two decades, first in the House of Representatives and, from December 9, 2024, as the junior United States Senator from California. A graduate of Stanford University and Harvard Law School, he built a career that moved from federal prosecution to state politics to the national stage, where he became most widely known as the lead impeachment manager in the first Senate trial of President Donald Trump in January 2020. The House vote recognizing the Armenian Genocide, which he championed for over two decades, passed 405 to 11 in 2019.
Key facts
- Born: 22 June 1960
- Birthplace: Framingham
- Country: United States
- Occupation: politician; lawyer; writer
- Education: Stanford University; Harvard Law School; Monte Vista High School
- Awards: Order of Friendship; Mkhitar Gosh Medal
Early life and education
Schiff was born on June 22, 1960, in Framingham. He attended Monte Vista High School in Danville, California, where he played soccer, graduated as class salutatorian in 1978, and was voted most likely to succeed by his classmates. He went on to study at Stanford University and Harvard Law School.
Legal career
After law school, Schiff worked as an assistant U.S. attorney in Los Angeles. During that posting he helped establish one of the first federal environmental crimes units in the country, an initiative that placed him among early practitioners of what was then an emerging area of federal prosecution.
State legislative career
Schiff ran for the California State Assembly in 1994 and lost. Two years later he entered the race for the 21st district seat in the California State Senate, defeating assemblywoman Paula Boland in 1996. When he began his term in December of that year, he was 36 years old and the youngest member of the California State Senate. During his time in the chamber he chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee.
U.S. House of Representatives
Schiff’s congressional career included service as joint lead impeachment manager in the trials of two federal judges, one of whom was removed from the bench and the other of whom resigned.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi named him lead impeachment manager for the first Senate trial of President Donald Trump in January 2020. The articles of impeachment charged Trump with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
On June 21, 2023, the Republican-led House voted 213 to 209, along party lines, to censure Schiff. The resolution, sponsored by Representative Anna Paulina Luna, accused him of misleading the public during the Russia and Trump investigations. The vote made him the 25th House member to be censured in the chamber’s history.
For more than two decades Schiff was the leading Congressional advocate for U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide. In 2019 the House passed his bipartisan resolution formally recognizing it, 405 to 11. He has received two awards for his public service: the Order of Friendship and the Mkhitar Gosh Medal.
U.S. Senate
Schiff assumed office as the junior United States Senator from California on December 9, 2024, succeeding Laphonza Butler. As of 2026, he serves on the Agriculture, Judiciary, Small Business, and Environment and Public Works Committees, and is a member of the Senate National Security Working Group.
Personal life
Schiff met Eve Sanderson in 1990 and married her on February 19, 1995. The couple have two children, Alexa and Elijah.
Did you know
- Schiff is a vegan who did not take up triathlons until after he turned 50. He has competed in events in Philadelphia, New York City, and Malibu, and is the first Member of Congress to ride the 550-mile AIDS/LifeCycle. (adamschiff.com)
- Before his political career took hold, Schiff tried his hand at screenwriting. He completed a post-Holocaust screenplay titled “Remnant” and a murder mystery called “Minotaur,” neither of which sold. A literary agent told him the Holocaust script was good but too depressing — a judgment Schiff later weighed against the blockbuster success of “Schindler’s List.” (npr.org)
- Schiff’s full name is Adam Bennett Schiff, and his wife’s maiden name is Eve Sanderson. His official campaign biography acknowledges the obvious Adam and Eve connection. (businessatrack.com)
Data sources
- Wikidata
- patch.com
- kennedyhumanrights.org
- kids.kiddle.co
- pbs.org
- businessatrack.com
- anca.org
- cascadepbs.org
Data updated: 2026-10-28