Jane Harman

Jane Harman is a former U.S. Representative who served California's 36th congressional district from 1993 to 1999 and again from 2001 to 2011. A member of the Democratic Party, she is recognized for her extensive involvement in national security and intelligence issues during her tenure in Congress. Harman held significant leadership roles, including serving as the ranking member on the House Intelligence Committee and chairing the Homeland Security Committee's Intelligence Subcommittee. After leaving Congress, she became the president and CEO of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, marking a notable transition from legislative to academic leadership.

Early life and career

Jane Margaret Lakes was born on June 28, 1945, in New York City to Lucille and Adolf N. Lakes. Her father, a Polish immigrant, escaped Nazi Germany in 1935 and worked as a medical doctor, while her mother, born in the United States, was the first in her family to pursue higher education. Harman's maternal grandparents immigrated from Russia. At the age of four, her family relocated to Los Angeles, California, where she attended public schools and graduated from University High School in 1962.

Harman pursued higher education at Smith College, where she earned a bachelor's degree in government, graduating magna cum laude in 1966. During her time at Smith, she was active in student politics, serving as president of the Smith College Young Democrats. She continued her education at Harvard Law School, obtaining her Juris Doctor degree in 1969.

Following her graduation, Harman married Richard A. Frank, who would later become the administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). They had two children together. Harman's early career included a position as an associate at the law firm Surrey, Karasik and Morse in Washington, D.C., where she worked for two years. She then transitioned to a political role as a legislative assistant to Senator John V. Tunney from 1972 to 1973, eventually becoming his senior counsel and staff director for the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Constitutional Rights.

After Tunney's defeat in the 1976 election, Harman joined the Carter administration, serving as Deputy Secretary of the Cabinet and later as special counsel to the Department of Defense from 1979 to 1980. These experiences laid the groundwork for her future political career.

House tenure

Harman first entered the U.S. House of Representatives in 1993 after winning a competitive election in 1992, becoming the first Smith College graduate to achieve this distinction. She represented California's 36th congressional district during her initial terms from 1993 to 1999, serving in the 103rd, 104th, and 105th Congresses. Her first term was marked by a narrow re-election victory in 1994, where she won by a margin of just 812 votes against Republican candidate Susan Brooks during a challenging political climate for Democrats.

In 1998, Harman chose not to seek re-election, opting instead to run for governor of California. After losing the Democratic primary to Lieutenant Governor Gray Davis, she returned to academia, teaching public policy and international relations at UCLA. However, she re-entered politics and successfully reclaimed her congressional seat in the 2000 election, defeating Republican incumbent Steven T. Kuykendall.

Harman served in the House from 2001 until her resignation in February 2011, during which time she was re-elected multiple times. Throughout her nine terms, she was involved in significant legislative activities, particularly in areas related to national security and defense. Harman served on major security committees, including the Armed Services Committee, the Intelligence Committee, and the Homeland Security Committee, reflecting her focus on issues pertinent to her district, which is known for its aerospace industry.

Her tenure included numerous fact-finding missions to various international hotspots, such as North Korea, Syria, Libya, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, and Guantanamo Bay. Harman's expertise in security and public policy earned her recognition as a national authority in these fields. She received several prestigious awards for her service, including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal and the CIA Agency Seal Medal.

In 2009, Harman faced scrutiny following revelations of wiretaps that allegedly captured a conversation between her and an Israeli government agent. The conversation purportedly involved discussions about lobbying efforts related to charges against employees of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Harman denied any wrongdoing and called for the release of the full transcript of the conversation, which was not made public. The Justice Department later confirmed that she was neither a subject nor a target of an ongoing investigation.

Legislative focus and committees

During her time in Congress, Harman was recognized for her centrist positions on intelligence and defense issues, while also aligning with more liberal views on social matters. She maintained a strong pro-Israel stance and was actively involved in various legislative efforts, including co-sponsoring a resolution recognizing the Armenian genocide in 2007. Although she supported the resolution, she also urged for a delay in the vote, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of the implications.

Harman's legislative record reflects a blend of moderate and liberal positions, earning her a high rating from liberal advocacy groups. Her approach to economic, trade, and foreign policy issues combined moderate stances with a commitment to progressive social policies. This duality characterized her time in Congress, where she navigated complex political landscapes while advocating for her constituents and broader national interests.

After resigning from Congress in 2011, Harman transitioned to a leadership role at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, where she served as president and CEO, becoming the first woman to hold this position. Her tenure at the Wilson Center allowed her to continue her engagement with public policy and international relations until she stepped down in 2021. Harman's career reflects a significant contribution to American politics, particularly in the realms of national security and intelligence, as well as a commitment to public service that has spanned decades.