As a leading Congressional expert on terrorism and homeland security issues, a fierce advocate of fiscal responsibility and of opportunity for working families, Jane Harman is an uncommon leader serving California's dynamic South Bay region.

Elected to a sixth term in 2004, Harman was appointed by the House Democratic leadership to serve as Ranking Member on the Intelligence Committee for the 108th Congress. And at the request of the House Speaker and Minority Leader, she previously helped spearhead all House actions in response to the September 11 attacks as Ranking Member on the panel's Subcommittee on Terrorism and Homeland Security. Harman was also appointed to the House Select Committee on Homeland Security.

Harman's national security expertise and ability to articulate issues clearly have made her a frequent guest on national news programs, including Meet the Press, Face the Nation, Larry King Live, Nightline and Wolf Blitzer Reports. Her written commentaries have appeared in The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times and other major publications.

Throughout her career, Jane Harman has fought for a clean and healthy environment, and to end permanently the threat of oil drilling along California's coast and in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. She is a long-time supporter of Congressional efforts to put America on the path of greater energy independence and to expand the use of clean energy technologies.

As an attorney and as an elected official, Harman has been an unwavering supporter of a woman's right to choose and of equal rights and opportunities for all Americans, regardless of age, race, religion, gender or sexual orientation.

In 1999, Harman was named Regents' Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, where she taught public policy and international relations. Earlier in her career, she served as special counsel to the Defense Department, deputy cabinet secretary for President Carter, and chief counsel and staff director of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Constitutional Rights.

A graduate of Los Angeles public schools, Smith College and Harvard Law School, the Congresswoman is married to Sidney Harman, founder and Executive Chairman of Harman International Industries. The couple lives in Venice, California. Harman has four children.

Rep. Jane Harman's Official Website

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The number of police officers serving our larger communities has decreased by over 15% since 2001. (Democratic Leadership Council)