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Jane Harman

From SourceWatch

This is a profile of a U.S. Representative. (See the California portal for all incumbents, candidates and blogs.)
	Things you can do: Add voting record information to this profile or others at the California portal. With a senate office or campaign? See the guidelines or contact a staff editor before editing. Other projects on Congresspedia: Wiki The Vote: Publicize the records and positions of congressional candidates.

See the California superdelegate page for bios, endorsements and more.

Jane Harman currently serves the 36th Congressional district of California

Jane Lakes Harman, a Democrat, member of the U. S. House of Representatives has represented the 36th District of California since 2001. (map)

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Record and controversies

General information about important bills and votes for can be found in Congresspedia's articles on legislation. You can add information you find on how Jane Harman voted by clicking the "[edit]" link to the right and typing it in. Remember to cite your sources!

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Iraq War

For more information see the chart of U.S. House of Representatives votes on the Iraq War.

Harman voted for the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that started the Iraq War.^[1]

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Environmental record

For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal

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Transparency

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Support for gun control

Harman cosponsored H.R. 1312 (Assault Weapons Ban and Law Enforcement Protection Act of 2005) on July 28, 2005.^[2]

Main article: U.S. gun legislation

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Justice Department investigation

In October 2006, it was reported that Harman was under investigation by the Justice Department for allegedly (with the help of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee) enlisting wealthy donors to lobby House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to retain Harman as the head Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee. The investigation into the alleged campaign to support Harman for the leadership post began in mid-2005 after media reports said that Pelosi might name Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-Fla.) to succeed Harman. In addition to investigating alleged calls made at Harman’s behest by wealthy Democratic Party contributors to Pelosi, the probe is also looking into whether, in exchange for help from AIPAC, Harman agreed to try to persuade the Bush Administration to go easy on AIPAC officials involved in a broader investigation. [1]

Harman responded to the announcement in a voicemail message stating that any investigation of her would be "irresponsible, laughable and scurrilous." A spokesman for AIPAC, a powerful Washington-based organization with more than 100,000 members across the U.S., denied any wrongdoing by the group and stressed that it did not even take sides between Harman and Hastings in regards to the committee assignment. [2]

In October 2006, a Democratic congressional official noted that if Democrats regained the House after the 2006 elections, Pelosi would likely not appoint Harman as the chairman of the Intelligence Committee. Acknowledging that the two had a rocky relationship, he stated “To say it is unlikely she will get the job is accurate.” [3]

In November 2006, Speaker-elect Pelosi announced that she would not be choosing Harman for the top intelligence post. [4]

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Release of Intelligence Committee report on ex-Rep. Duke Cunningham

In October of 2006, Harman released to the media the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence's report on the ethical violations undertaken by ex-Rep. Duke Cunningham while serving on the body. This was against the wishes of committee chairman Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-Mich.) and House Republicans who did not wish it to be released in the run up to the 2006 election when it was likely to be politicized. The action set off a series of political squabbles within the committee. [5]

See Pete Hoekstra-Chairmanship of the Intelligence Committee

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Bio

Harmon was born June 28, 1945 in New York City. She was educated at Smith College and the Harvard University School of Law, and was a lawyer, a staff member for US Senator John V. Tunney, adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center, chief counsel and staff director for the U.S. Senate Judiciary subcommittee on constitutional rights, deputy secretary to the U.S. Cabinet at the White House (1977-1978) and special counsel to the Department of Defense before entering the House. Harman ran for Governor of California in 1998 but was defeated in the Democratic primary by then-Lieutenant Governor Gray Davis.

She is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of conservative Congressional Democrats, one of the few members who is not from the Deep South.

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2006 elections

In 2006, the Republicans nominated Brian Gibson, and the Libertarian Party nominated Mike Brinkley to face Harman in her November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006) [6] Harman easily won reelection.

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2008 elections

Each superdelegate's status can be basically broken down into either being undeclared or endorsing Clinton or Obama. However, superdelegates that have endorsed can be considered "wobblers" if there is reason to believe their endorsement is less than solid. Also, officially undeclared superdelegates can be classified as "leaners" towards either Obama or Clinton. Undeclareds can also be classified as in the "Pelosi Club" (named after Nancy Pelosi), if they have promised to give their superdelegate vote to the overall winner of pledged (regular) delegates once the primaries are over.

See the help page on how to classify superdelegates for details on criteria and how you can help track the superdelegates.

Jane Harman, as a superdelegate, has endorsed Hillary Clinton for President.

See the other superdelegates endorsing Clinton, the Superdelegate Transparency Project homepage, or instructions on how to designate candidate endorsements.

Sources:

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Money in Politics

This section contains links to – and feeds from – money in politics databases. For specific controversies, see this article's record and controversies section.

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Campaign contributions

The following is drawn from government records of campaign contributions to Jane Harman. Campaign contributions are one of the most direct conduits for influencing members of Congress. How to use this information.

Source: Federal Election Commission

Top Contributors to Jane Harman (D) during the 2006 Election Cycle
Rank	Donor	Amount (US Dollars)
1	Physical Optics Corp	$ 17,100
2	Raytheon Co	$ 17,050
3	Loral Space & Communications	$ 12,000
3	Northrop Grumman	$ 12,000
5	Boeing Co	$ 11,000
Source: The Center for Responsive Politics' www.OpenSecrets.org site. Note: Contributions are not from the organizations themselves, but are rather from the organization's PAC, employees or owners. Totals include subsidiaries and affiliates.

Links to more campaign contribution information for Jane Harman from the Center for Responsive Politics' OpenSecrets.org site.
Fundraising profile:	2006 election cycle	Career totals
Top contributors by organization/corporation:	2006 election cycle	Career totals
Top contributors by industry:	2006 election cycle	Career totals

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Revolving door

The "revolving door" refers to the passage of staffers between government and industry employment. Former staff for members of Congress often use the connections and knowledge they gained as public employees to help their new employers – often lobbying firms – influence their former employers and institutions.

Revolving door profile for Jane Harman from the Center for Responsive Politics' OpenSecrets.org website.

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Privately funded travel

The following is drawn from Jane Harman's travel disclosure forms. Corporations and other organizations can pay for trips by members of Congress and their staff as long as it is related to official business (though some trips have been glorified junkets). How to use this information.

2006 privately funded travel profile for Jane Harman from the Center for Responsive Politics' OpenSecrets.org website.

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Personal finances

The following is drawn from Jane Harman's personal financial disclosure forms. Close study of the data has often revealed conflicts of interest by members of Congress. How to use this information.

Personal finance profile for Jane Harman from the Center for Responsive Politics' OpenSecrets.org website.

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Committees and Affiliations

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Committees

House Committee on Energy and Commerce
- Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality
- Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet
House Committee on Homeland Security
- Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing, and Terrorism Risk Assessment

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Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

House Committee on Homeland Security
- Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness Science and Technology
- Subcommittee on Intelligence Information Sharing and Terrorism Risk Assessment
- Subcommittee on Prevention of Nuclear and Biological Attack
House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence - Ranking Minority Member
Member of the Aspen Institute / Middle East Strategy Group
Member of the Aspen Strategy Group