Biography

Recognized by her colleagues and the national media as an authoritative voice on counterterrorism, homeland security and intelligence matters, Jane Harman has represented California's 36th Congressional district in Los Angeles' South Bay since 1992.

Portrait of Congresswoman Harman

In 2006, Harman completed eight years of service on the House Intelligence Committee – the final four as Ranking Member – where she helped shape Congress' policy response to the 9/11 attacks and played a lead role in the creation and passage of the Intelligence Reform Act of 2004.

Now in her seventh term, Harman continues that policy focus as Chair of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Intelligence & Terrorism Risk Assessment.  She is also a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, where she sits on the Telecommunications & the Internet and Energy & Air Quality Subcommittees.

Harman's role as an environmental leader was cemented with the passage of the 2007 Energy Act, which included her landmark lighting efficiency provisions to phase-out the wasteful 100-watt incandescent bulb by 2012, and require all light bulbs to be at least three times more efficient than today's by 2020.

Her life-long commitment to progressive issues is reflected in her record on a woman's right to choose, on issues of interest to the gay and lesbian community, seniors and veterans, and has earned her top ratings from advocacy groups including Planned Parenthood, the Human Rights Campaign, and the California League of Conservation Voters.

A product of Los Angeles public schools, Harman is a graduate of Smith College and Harvard Law School.  Prior to serving in Congress, she was a top aide in the United States Senate, Deputy Cabinet Secretary to President Jimmy Carter, Special Counsel to the Department of Defense, and in private law practice.  Married for almost three decades to Sidney Harman, founder and Chairman of Harman International Industries, she has four adult children and three grandchildren.