Adam in the News
Gun violence in America can be stemmed (Burbank Leader)
Last month, television screens carried the tragic news of yet another shooting, this time the horrific on-air murder of two Virginia television journalists, Alison Parker and Adam Ward. Anyone watching the events unfold could be forgiven if it felt like they had seen this nightmare before because they have - many, many times. Some of these shooting, like the one in Virginia, become front-page news, covered as part of the endless "breaking news" on the 24-hour news networks. A white … Continue Reading
August 13, 2015
New push to regulate teen residential treatment centers
This story contains bonus audio Megan Stokes from the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs talks to Take Two. 6 min 42 sec Congressman Adam Schiff introduced legislation aimed at regulating the country's residential treatment and "boot camp" programs for troubled teens yesterday. While some facilities successfully treat young people, a federal report from 2008 cites instances of physical and emotional abuse at a number of camps across the country. The report also … Continue Reading
August 05, 2015
What if there’s no deal?
If you oppose the Iran deal, you have to ask yourself one question: So then what? Saying the deal stinks without offering an alternative is not a thoughtful position, it's an empty slogan. Until now, the debate has really just been a piling-on against the deal. Supporters are against the ropes and opponents, Ronda Rousey-like, are throwing everything they have against it. And make no mistake, they have a lot. But as August recess begins and the countdown to the congressional vote … Continue Reading
August 05, 2015
Obama on the Iran Deal: The 'Strongest Nonproliferation Agreement Ever Negotiated'
President Obama said Wednesday the deal with Iran on its nuclear program does not resolve all our problems with the Islamic republic, "but it achieves one of our most critical security objectives." "This is the strongest nonproliferation agreement ever negotiated," Obama said. Obama's speech was at American University, the same place President Kennedy called for diplomacy and nuclear disarmament at the height of the Cold War. Wednesday's speech also fell on the anniversary of the nuclear … Continue Reading
August 05, 2015
After One Year of War on ISIS, No AUMF in Sight
The war against ISIS began with airstrikes a year ago this week and lawmakers have spent significant time in the last 12 months debating the strategy and, in many cases, criticizing the way the Obama administration is conducting the fight. But one thing members of Congress have yet to do is have a vote - or even a substantive debate - over authorizing the military campaign. Instead, President Obama has relied on past authorizations for the use of military force (AUMFs) against al-Qaeda in … Continue Reading
August 04, 2015
USGS awards $4 million to earthquake early warning system on the West Coast
PASADENA >> The U.S. Geological Survey has awarded $4 million to help push ShakeAlert, an earthquake early warning system, closer to becoming a functioning $38.2 million network on the West Coast. Since the early 2000s, the project has received $21 million or about 55 percent of the amount necessary to build out earthquake early warning infrastructure in California and the Pacific Northwest, said Thomas Heaton, Caltech professor of engineering seismology and director of the … Continue Reading
August 04, 2015
Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., On Why He Supports The Iran Nuclear Deal
The future of the Iran nuclear deal could hinge on Democrats, who are being pulled in two directions. The Obama administration wants them to back the plan, but Israel and pro-Israel lobbying groups want those lawmakers to oppose the deal. U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff is a Jewish Democrat, and the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee. He tells Renee Montagne why he recently decided to support the Iran … Continue Reading
August 03, 2015
Congressman Adam Schiff, a Jewish Democrat, announced he will support Iran Deal
Adam Schiff, a Los Angeles Congressman who serves as the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, announced Monday morning that he plans to support the Iran nuclear deal. Schiff, who is Jewish with a record of strong support for Israel, serves a district that stretches from Los Feliz to Los Angeles' northeastern suburbs; during the negotiations he expressed skepticism about the possible outcomes, but promised at that time to remain undecided until an agreement was reached. In … Continue Reading
August 03, 2015
Top House Dem on Intelligence Panel Backs Iran Nuclear Deal
Washington (AP) -- The top Democrat on the House Intelligence committee says he's backing the international accord to curb Iran's nuclear power. California Rep. Adam Schiff said Monday he supports the agreement to limit Iran's nuclear program in exchange for relief from billions of dollars in sanctions. The announcement is a boost for Obama during Congress' 60-day review period. The Republican-led Congress is expected to vote in September for a resolution of disapproval that Obama has vowed … Continue Reading
August 03, 2015
Top Democrat on House Intelligence panel backs Iran nuclear deal
The ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), said on Monday that Congress should back the Iran nuclear agreement, adding the support of another Jewish Democrat for the deal. He said as an American and Jew deeply concerned about the security of Israel, preventing Iran from getting a nuclear bomb is "intensely personal." "In the absence of a credible alternative, Congress should accept the deal and work with the Administration to strengthen its … Continue Reading
August 03, 2015
Rep. Adam Schiff, an influential Democrat, backs nuclear deal with Iran
Rep. Adam Schiff of Burbank, the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, came out Monday in support of the Iran nuclear agreement, saying that it "realistically precludes" Tehran from developing a nuclear bomb for 15 or more years. Schiff, a centrist who is influential with moderate Democrats and Jewish Democrats, said he remains concerned that the international agreement won't give United Nations inspectors full access to Iranian military sites, and it allows Tehran to quickly … Continue Reading
August 03, 2015
Congress Should Help Strengthen Iran Deal, Not Reject It
After several years of difficult negotiations with a dangerous and malevolent regime, the Administration and the representatives of the other P5+1 nations reached an agreement with Iran over its nuclear program. The deal realistically precludes Iran from developing an atomic bomb for fifteen or more years, and does so while reducing the chances of war. As one would expect in any negotiation with a bitter adversary, there are elements of the deal that turned out quite well - in this case, … Continue Reading
August 03, 2015
An Iran-Deal Skeptic Becomes a Supporter
Earlier this year, California Representative Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, told me he had serious doubts about Iran's intentions as it pursued a nuclear deal with the United States and five other world powers. He also said he was somewhat worried about the scale of possible American concessions during the talks. Schiff, who I described in a post at the time as a "moderate's moderate," suggested to me that he wanted to see President Obama achieve an … Continue Reading
July 30, 2015
[PROFILE] Local Congressman Adam Schiff Gaining In Profile, Taking on National Issues
Congressman Schiff speaks during a tour of the Rim of the Valley, a proposed addition to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. If you've ever watched CNN, even just on occasion, chances are you're familiar with U.S. Congressman Adam Schiff. Schiff, who represents California's 28th congressional district, which includes Los Feliz, Silver Lake and Hollywood, is not only Wolf Blitzer's chosen spokesperson to appear on the cable news network regarding terrorist activities, but he … Continue Reading
July 29, 2015
Lawmakers work to curb drone interference
After drones interfered with firefighters' efforts to stop the "North Fire" that jumped Interstate 15 earlier this month, lawmakers at the state and federal levels voiced disapproval and introduced legislation to curb the potentially life-threatening disturbances. A drone, or unmanned aircraft system (UAS), has interfered with firefighters' operations several times in California this year. Firefighters' planes, helicopters and air tankers carrying fire retardant or water have had to be … Continue Reading
July 29, 2015
Ex-Navy SEAL alleges anti-gay bullying by CIA workers
SAN DIEGO (AP) - A former Navy SEAL has filed an internal complaint alleging the CIA bullied him for being gay during a work assignment in June in Afghanistan. Brett Jones said he filed the complaint last week against the federal agency, saying he was forced to endure homophobic slurs and other inappropriate comments on June 11 in Afghanistan as a group of contractors and civil servants in the CIA's Global Response Staff watched news of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex … Continue Reading
July 29, 2015
How Rep. Adam Schiff weighs the Iran pact vote
As he prepares to decide on the Iran nuclear deal, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) talks to advocates on both sides of the controversy. He consults well-informed, open-minded experts. From his seat on the House Intelligence Committee, he digs deep into classified details. Schiff knows he faces "one of the most challenging decisions" of his career, with "profound consequences of war and peace." Some time after Labor Day, Schiff, who represents a district ranging from Glendale to Echo Park, will … Continue Reading
July 27, 2015
Why positive train control should not be delayed: Adam Schiff
Traveling at 106 miles per hour - more than twice the 50 mile per hour speed limit around a curve - Amtrak Northeast Regional No. 188 careened off the tracks in Philadelphia earlier this year. Originally, the crash was blamed on the train's engineer and it was erroneously reported that he had been on his cell phone at the time of the crash. Since then, investigators have explored a number of causes, including the possibility of a projectile hitting the train. The train's engineer applied … Continue Reading
July 27, 2015
Benghazi Panel: Playing Politics or Seeking Truth?
The House Select Committee on Benghazi has met for more than 14 months, cost taxpayers $4 million, and has a straightforward-sounding mission statement: to investigate a terrorist attack and issue a final report with recommendations to prevent similar tragedies in the future. This was no ordinary attack. Four Americans were killed, including a U.S. ambassador; a U.S. diplomatic facility was torched; and the tragedy became a political issue in the 2012 presidential election. Republicans … Continue Reading
July 24, 2015
Congressman Wants Drones to Be Put on a Virtual Leash
Drones are starting to become real robo-pests for some first responders. During the North Fire in San Bernardino County earlier this month five drones flying over the burn area prompted authorities to divert water- and retardant-dropping aircraft from the scene. Experts say drones could cause bird-strike style crashes for planes. It was reportedly the fourth time this summer that drones thwarted aerial firefighting efforts. Some leaders are concerned that these kinds of incidents could … Continue Reading