Adam Schiff, the outgoing Southern California congress member who gained national attention during Donald Trump’s first presidential term, took the oath of office Monday, Dec. 9, to begin his term as a senator.
Schiff defeated Republican and former Los Angeles Dodger Steve Garvey in both the election to serve the remainder of the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s term and a full six-year term in the Senate. Schiff will be sworn in on Jan. 3 to begin his full term.
“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve all Californians as their next United States Senator. My family came to the Golden State when I was a child in the hope of finding a strong economy, safe neighborhoods, and good schools,” Schiff said in a statement. “And we found all that we could hope for in each of these respects.”
Schiff won both races by about 18 percentage points, according to the California’s secretary of state’s office.
Vice President Kamala Harris administered the oaths to Schiff and fellow incoming Sen. Andy Kim, of New Jersey and returning Sen. Pete Ricketts, of Nebraska on the Senate floor.
Kim replaced former New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez who resigned following convictions on federal bribery charges. Ricketts won the race for the unexpired term of former Sen. Ben Sasse who resigned in 2023.
“Congratulations, senators,” Harris said following the oath.
Schiff held a Maimonides Mishneh Torah while taking the oath of office. According to his office, it is “a monumental legal code and one of the most organized, comprehensive, and influential works of Jewish law.” The edition used by Schiff Monday was printed in Italy in 1490.
A separate ceremonial swearing in, also administered by Harris, was followed by photos with Schiff’s family.
“Thank you in advance for all the work you’re going to do there, but all the work you’ve done,” Harris said.
Schiff responded to the vice president, saying he has “some big senatorial shoes to fill.”
Feinstein died in September 2023 and Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Laphonza Butler to fill the seat. Butler decided not to run in 2024.
On Sunday, Dec. 8, Newsom announced the resignation of Butler and the appointment of Schiff to complete the remainder of the term.
“I recognize that I stand on the shoulders of giants. Former Senator Dianne Feinstein leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of courage and effectiveness,” Schiff said in a statement. “Nobody can ever fill her immense shoes but I will continue to be inspired by her example.”
Sen. Alex Padilla and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi escorted Schiff into the Senate chambers. Padilla joined Schiff on the Senate floor as Schiff took the oath of office.
“I will be a tireless advocate for Californians in every part of the state and work across the aisle to deliver on day one,” he said. “California is the creative hub of the world, with a tremendous resource in its brilliant, creative, and hardworking people, and a natural beauty that is the envy of the world. I will work with Democrats, Republicans, and Independents to help our state and our families succeed. At the same time, I will not shrink from my duty to defend our democracy and will vigorously protect the rights and freedoms of the American people and the people of California.”
Schiff gained national attention in 2019 during Trump’s first of two impeachment trials. Since then, he has repeatedly drawn the ire of Trump and his allies. Schiff reached the November ballot following a March primary which included Garvey and fellow Democrats Katie Porter and Barbara Lee.
In a statement following his swearing in, Schiff said Californians face challenges from the high cost of living, incomes that have not kept pace, a housing crisis and rising costs of health care and childcare.
Schiff, an attorney and a former state senator, has represented an L.A.-area district since 2001. In January, Schiff will enter a U.S. Senate now in GOP control.
“The work ahead of us will not be easy – nothing worth doing ever is,” Schiff said. “But my promise is to work every day to deliver results, and make California’s future brighter for all of us in this Golden State.”
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