Here’s what happened.
Senator-elect Adam Schiff, a Democrat from California, announced on Friday that he will officially resign from his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives on Sunday, preparing to be sworn in as California’s junior senator on Monday. Schiff, who won the Senate seat in November with a commanding victory over former baseball star Steve Garvey, will replace the late Senator Dianne Feinstein, a long-time Democrat who passed away earlier this year. Prior to the election, Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Laphonza Butler to fill the vacancy temporarily, but Butler chose not to seek a full term in the Senate.
Schiff’s victory was part of a larger trend in which Democrats are aiming to solidify their control in the Senate, but his rapid move from the House to the Senate will give him an early advantage in terms of seniority. He will be sworn in alongside New Jersey’s Andy Kim, another Democrat leaving the House for the Senate. Kim will replace Senator George Helmy, who was appointed over the summer to fill the seat of disgraced ex-Senator Bob Menendez, who faced federal bribery charges and was convicted in July.
For Republicans, the timing of these resignations presents both an opportunity and a challenge. While Schiff and Kim’s exits will temporarily reduce the Democratic majority in the House to just 211 seats, Republicans maintain a slight edge with 220 seats. This shift means that as the 119th Congress convenes in January 2025, Republicans will hold a 220-215 advantage, potentially giving them the upper hand in legislative battles.
Schiff’s resignation marks the end of his 24-year tenure in the House, during which he was perhaps best known for his role as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. Schiff spearheaded the first impeachment of President Donald Trump, accusing him of withholding aid to Ukraine. In 2023, Schiff’s credibility took a hit when Republicans, led by Speaker Kevin McCarthy, voted to remove him from the Intelligence Committee and censured him for his controversial actions. With Schiff moving to the Senate, Republicans will be watching closely to see how his influence in Washington evolves.
