You’ve probably seen the name Adam Schiff plastered across news chyrons for years. Usually, it was in the context of high-stakes House Intelligence Committee hearings or those marathon impeachment trials that felt like they’d never end. But lately, things have looked a little different. If you're wondering is Adam Schiff still in Congress, the short answer is a definitive yes—but he’s changed offices.
He isn't a "Congressman" in the way we usually use the word for the House of Representatives anymore. Since late 2024, he’s been sitting in the "upper house." Basically, Adam Schiff is now California’s junior U.S. Senator.
It’s been a wild ride for the Burbank Democrat. For over two decades, he represented the 30th District (and a few others due to redistricting) in the House. But when the legendary Dianne Feinstein passed away, the political tectonic plates in California shifted. Schiff didn’t just jump into the race; he dominated it, eventually taking the oath of office on December 9, 2024.
The Big Switch: From the House to the Senate
Honestly, the transition was faster than most people expected. Because of how the timing worked with the special election to fill the remainder of Feinstein’s term, Schiff actually got a "head start" on seniority. He was sworn in early to finish out the final weeks of the 118th Congress before starting his own full six-year term in January 2025.
If you're looking for him in the House chamber, you’re looking in the wrong place.
He’s currently serving a term that doesn’t end until January 3, 2031. That’s a long time. In the Senate, he’s swapped his role as the "impeachment guy" for a broad portfolio of committee work that touches everything from the price of eggs to AI-generated "deepfakes."
What is Adam Schiff doing in the Senate right now?
Being a freshman Senator is usually about keeping your head down, but Schiff isn't exactly a political rookie. He’s been surprisingly active in the 119th Congress. As of January 2026, he’s juggling a pretty heavy load of committee assignments:
- Judiciary Committee: This is his bread and butter. He’s been loud about judicial nominations and "checks and balances" on the executive branch.
- Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: This one surprises people. Why Schiff? Well, California is an agricultural beast. He’s currently pushing the "Plant Powered School Meals Pilot Act" to get more plant-based options into K-12 schools.
- Environment and Public Works: He’s working on water pollution and air quality—huge issues for his California constituents.
- Small Business and Entrepreneurship: Focused on capital access for entrepreneurs after natural disasters.
Just this month—January 2026—he’s been all over the news for a letter he sent to tech companies. He and Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester are demanding the removal of non-consensual sexualized AI images. It’s a very "California" issue, blending Hollywood's interests with tech regulation.
Why People Keep Asking If He's Still There
Politics moves fast, and Schiff was so synonymous with the Trump-era House of Representatives that seeing him in a different seat feels "off" to some. There was also a lot of noise during the 2024 primary. You might remember him running against other heavyweights like Katie Porter and Barbara Lee. Schiff famously spent millions on ads that "elevated" his Republican opponent, Steve Garvey, to ensure a Democrat-vs-Republican general election rather than a Democrat-vs-Democrat one.
It worked. He cruised to victory with nearly 60% of the vote.
But because he’s no longer the face of every single House investigation, he’s slightly less ubiquitous on prime-time news than he was in 2019. He's still there, though, just operating in the more "deliberative" (and often slower) environment of the Senate.
Current Battles and 2026 Priorities
In the last few weeks, Schiff has been a vocal critic of the current administration’s use of military force. He’s been hopping on shows like MS NOW to talk about reestablishing the power of Congress to say "no" to war.
He’s also leaned heavily into First Amendment protections. Along with Alex Padilla, he introduced legislation this month to safeguard people from what he calls "politically motivated prosecutions." It’s clear he hasn’t lost his appetite for legal and constitutional brawls.
Quick Facts for 2026:
- Current Title: U.S. Senator (D-CA)
- Office Assumed: December 9, 2024
- Next Election: 2030 (for the 2031 term)
- Major Focus: AI regulation, judicial oversight, and California water rights.
If you’re trying to keep track of his legislative moves, the best place to look is the Senate's official legislative tracking or his own press room. He’s currently the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, which means he’s the point man for how the U.S. handles patents and copyrights in the age of AI.
Actionable Insight: If you live in California and want to influence these issues, you can contact his office directly through his Senate website. Since he sits on the Agriculture and Judiciary committees, your input on food security or federal court appointments actually carries weight in his office right now. For those outside California, watching his work on the Intellectual Property subcommittee is the best way to see where federal AI and tech laws are heading in 2026.