Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Jane Harman


Jane L. Harman (born Jane Margaret Lakes; June 28, 1945) is an American attorney and former Democratic politician who served nine terms as U.S. Representative for California's 36th congressional district from 1993 to 1999 and 2001 to 2011. Raised in Los Angeles after birth in New York City, she graduated magna cum laude from Smith College and earned a law degree from Harvard Law School. During her congressional tenure, Harman emerged as a leading expert on national security, serving as ranking Democratic member of the House Intelligence Committee in the years following the September 11 attacks and contributing to legislation on counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and homeland security. In February 2011, she resigned her seat to become the first woman director, president, and CEO of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, a nonpartisan think tank, where she led until 2021 and now serves as president emerita and distinguished fellow. Post-Congress, she has chaired the bipartisan Commission on the National Defense Strategy, releasing a unanimous report in 2024 urging enhanced U.S. military preparedness amid global threats, and co-chairs the board of trustees at Freedom House. Her career includes authoring the 2021 book Insanity Defense: Why Our Failure to Confront Hard National Security Problems Makes Us Less Safe, critiquing institutional failures in addressing security challenges. A notable controversy arose in 2009 when reports emerged of a National Security Agency wiretap capturing Harman in a conversation with an American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) official, where she allegedly discussed intervening for lenient treatment of two AIPAC staffers accused of espionage in exchange for political support; Harman denied wrongdoing, no charges were filed, and the Justice Department closed the probe without action.

Early Life and Education

Family Background and Upbringing

Jane Margaret Lakes was born on June 28, 1945, in to Dr. Adolf Lakes, a , and Lucille Geier Lakes. Her father, born in , had moved to , where he earned a in 1934 before immigrating to the to escape Nazi persecution. Her mother, a U.S.-born college graduate who was the first in her family to attend , descended from Russian Jewish immigrants who arrived in in the early 1900s. The Lakes family relocated to in 1949, where Jane grew up as the eldest of two children in a household shaped by her parents' experiences with and . Her parents instilled values of freedom, , self-determination, self-reliance, and , drawing from their immigrant backgrounds and the post-World War II emphasis on democratic ideals over totalitarian threats. This environment fostered an early appreciation for American opportunities as a refuge from , influencing her worldview amid the era's tensions and debates. Harman's childhood in public schools exposed her to a diverse, urban setting reflective of mid-20th-century California's growing and political , though family discussions centered on personal rather than partisan affiliations. The emphasis on stemmed directly from her father's flight from and her mother's family's adaptation to new circumstances, prioritizing individual agency and civic responsibility over reliance on state intervention.

Academic and Early Professional Training

Harman earned a degree in government from in 1966, graduating magna cum laude and as a member of . Her undergraduate studies emphasized and , providing foundational knowledge in political structures that later informed her approach to issues. She pursued advanced legal education at , receiving her Juris Doctor in 1969. At the time, women comprised a small minority of the student body, with approximately 22 female students in her class, reflecting the era's limited access for women to elite legal training. This rigorous curriculum exposed her to core principles of , , and legal reasoning, equipping her with analytical tools essential for oversight roles in government. Following graduation, Harman gained admission to the bar in the District of Columbia and , marking her formal entry into professional legal practice. These qualifications, rooted in her academic grounding, emphasized constitutional frameworks and legal precedents that shaped her pragmatic focus on without immediate application to specific roles.

Pre-Congressional Career

Legal Practice and Government Roles

After earning her Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School in 1969, Harman began her legal career as an associate at the Washington, D.C., law firm Surrey & Morse in 1970, where she practiced for approximately two years, focusing on regulatory and commercial matters. This early private practice provided foundational experience in federal law and policy advocacy, though specific case details from this period remain limited in public records. Transitioning to public service, Harman joined the staff of U.S. Senator (D-CA) in 1972 as chief legislative assistant, overseeing legal activities across multiple committees until . She advanced to chief counsel and staff director of the Senate Subcommittee on Constitutional Rights from to 1977, managing investigations into , government surveillance, and judicial oversight—roles that exposed her to early debates on intelligence practices and constitutional protections amid tensions. Concurrently, she served as an adjunct professor at from 1974 to 1975, teaching courses on . In the Carter administration, Harman held the position of deputy cabinet secretary from 1977 to 1979, reporting to Cabinet Secretary Hamilton Jordan and coordinating domestic policy implementation across agencies, including energy initiatives like the National Energy Plan amid the 1970s oil crises. This role facilitated interagency collaboration on national security-adjacent issues, such as resource security and regulatory reforms, without direct elected authority but influencing executive priorities through advisory counsel. She also briefly served as special counsel to the Department of Defense during this era, advising on legal aspects of defense policy. These positions honed her expertise in bipartisan policy execution, bridging legal practice with governmental operations prior to her electoral pursuits.

Initial Political Engagements

Harman's initial forays into politics occurred during her college years, when she served as president of the Young Democrats Club at from 1965 to 1966. This early leadership role introduced her to Democratic organizing at the grassroots level. Later, as a young attorney, she assisted in legislative matters for California Democratic Senator from 1972 to 1973, gaining exposure to senatorial campaigns and party operations in her home state. Throughout the 1980s, Harman deepened her engagement within structures, serving as counsel to the Democratic Platform Committee during the , where she contributed to drafting the party's policy positions under chair . She also chaired the Democratic National Committee's National Lawyers' Council from 1986 to 1991, advising on legal aspects of party strategy and operations. These national roles facilitated connections with Democratic leaders and donors, enhancing her visibility beyond . Harman participated in fundraising efforts that strengthened party infrastructure, co-chairing the 1987 Democratic Gala, which raised $2.2 million for the Victory Fund and presidential candidates. Additionally, as vice-chair of the Center for National Policy from 1981 into the early , she engaged in policy discussions emphasizing pragmatic Democratic approaches to and economic issues. Such activities in centrist-leaning Democratic networks, blending support for social priorities with advocacy for stronger defense postures, positioned her as a viable in California's competitive congressional primaries by the early .

Congressional Career

First Tenure: 1993–1999

Jane Harman was elected to the on November 3, 1992, to represent , encompassing parts of Los Angeles County including the area with its aerospace and defense industries; she defeated Joan Milke with approximately 56% of the vote in the general . Sworn in on January 5, 1993, for the 103rd , her representation emphasized protecting local economic interests tied to bases and technology sectors amid post-Cold War budget adjustments. Assigned to the House Armed Services Committee and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology in the 103rd Congress (1993–1995), Harman continued on Armed Services through the 105th Congress (1997–1999), focusing on research, technology, and military personnel subcommittees. These roles positioned her to influence defense procurement, , and base realignment decisions affecting her district's defense contractors and installations. Harman's legislative efforts centered on military modernization and fiscal restraint, including support for targeted defense spending reductions to achieve post-Cold War efficiencies while preserving capabilities in high-tech areas like . She advocated bipartisan measures balancing cuts with investments in , drawing from her district's reliance on firms such as Hughes Aircraft and TRW. Conservatives critiqued her as dovish for endorsing broader base closure processes under the (BRAC) commissions, though she successfully advocated to exempt the from the 1995 closure list, safeguarding local jobs. Following the February 26, 1993, World Trade Center bombing, she contributed to early discussions on enhancing domestic security precursors, including technology export controls to curb proliferation risks, aligning with her Science Committee oversight of dual-use technologies. Her approach emphasized pragmatic, evidence-based reforms over expansive spending, reflecting a centrist Democratic stance amid Republican-led Congresses after 1994.

1998 California Gubernatorial Campaign

Jane Harman formally entered the Democratic primary for the on February 4, 1998, positioning herself as a centrist alternative to frontrunner amid a crowded field that included self-funded businessman Al Checchi. Her campaign strategy targeted suburban voters, particularly women and professionals, by highlighting pragmatic solutions to state challenges, including tougher measures on , enhanced funding for K-12 education standards, and incentives for technology-driven economic expansion in 's and aerospace sectors. Harman leveraged her congressional experience and personal wealth to fund a competitive operation, raising contributions from business interests and defense industry executives who had previously supported her House campaigns, though she trailed Checchi's unprecedented $40 million self-financed effort. She secured endorsements from moderate Democrats and bipartisan figures, emphasizing crossover appeal in a with a of female nominees, but faced criticism for her Washington ties and perceived in ads from rivals. In the June 2, 1998, Democratic primary, Harman captured 21 percent of the vote, placing third behind 's 57 percent and Checchi's 20 percent, as consolidated party establishment support and benefited from lower turnout favoring organized labor-backed candidates. The outcome underscored the primacy of mobilization and insider networks over spending in California's reformed primary system under Proposition 208 contribution limits, prompting Harman to endorse for the general while refocusing on federal issues. This bid, though unsuccessful, reinforced her reputation as a pragmatic moderate within a increasingly oriented toward base-driven priorities, influencing her subsequent emphasis on bipartisan governance in roles.

Second Tenure: 2001–2011

Following her unsuccessful 1998 campaign for , Jane Harman reclaimed her congressional seat in California's 36th district by narrowly defeating Republican incumbent Steven T. Kuykendall in the November 7, 2000, general election, with 49.3% of the vote to Kuykendall's 47.5%. She assumed office on January 3, 2001, for the 107th Congress, marking the start of her second tenure amid the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, which shifted national priorities toward and intelligence reform. As a senior member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Harman ascended to ranking Democrat in January 2003, a position she held through significant legislative efforts, including oversight of intelligence community enhancements and support for extending provisions of the USA to bolster surveillance capabilities against terrorism. In 2004, her vote proved pivotal in preventing amendments that would have curtailed key measures, ensuring their continuation without substantial restrictions. She advocated for robust U.S. aid to , emphasizing strengthened bilateral security ties in response to regional threats, and highlighted the disproportionate risks faced by service members in and , stating in 2008 that "a in is more likely to be raped by a fellow than killed by enemy fire," urging improved protections and accountability within the military. Harman won re-election comfortably in subsequent cycles, including , , , , and , often exceeding 60% of the vote in her Democratic-leaning . Despite considerations for higher leadership roles, such as House Speaker, her ambitions faced obstacles, including being passed over for Intelligence Committee chair in when Democrats gained the majority. On February 28, , she resigned from to become the first female president and CEO of the International Center for Scholars, succeeding , amid reports of seeking a new platform for global policy influence. Her departure triggered a special election in California's 36th .

Key Committee Roles and Legislative Achievements

Harman served on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence for eight years, including as ranking Democratic member from 2007 to 2009, on the House Committee on Armed Services for six years, and on the House Committee on for eight years, focusing her work on oversight and policy formulation. In these roles, she emphasized bipartisan approaches to intelligence reform, contributing to enhancements in capabilities while advocating for stricter guidelines on executive actions. Key legislative efforts included co-sponsoring the FISA Amendments Act of 2008, which modernized foreign surveillance procedures to adapt to technological changes and evolving threats, incorporating oversight mechanisms to constrain warrantless programs. She also supported measures, such as the Iran Counter-Proliferation Act of 2007 (H.R. 1400), which passed the 397-16 and aimed to impose sanctions on entities aiding 's weapons programs, reflecting her focus on nonproliferation amid Iran's nuclear advancements. These initiatives demonstrated her role in bridging partisan gaps on Iran-related threats, where intelligence assessments informed consensus on sanctions and monitoring. Harman introduced amendments and bills to bolster cyber defenses, including advancing cybersecurity legislation as Intelligence Subcommittee chair in 2010 to enhance information sharing and threat response protocols. On detainee interrogations, she authored the Interrogation Procedures Act of 2005 (H.R. 3985), which sought to standardize and limit techniques to comply with , prohibiting cruel or degrading treatment regardless of detainee status or location. She further proposed the Lawful Interrogation and Detention Act in 2009 to close Guantanamo Bay within a year and restrict coerced evidence in military commissions. These measures quantified impacts through codified limits—e.g., explicit bans on and stress positions—but faced limitations, as executive resistance and legal challenges delayed full implementation. Her committee tenure drew bipartisan praise for fostering collaboration on immediate threats like but elicited criticisms: civil liberties groups, including the ACLU, faulted her FISA support for enabling bulk surveillance and insufficient safeguards, potentially expanding executive overreach without adequate warrants. Conservatives critiqued her for relative restraint on China policy, arguing it underrepresented emerging economic and military risks during a period of accelerating Beijing's assertiveness, though her later post-congressional work highlighted greater emphasis on such challenges.

Political Positions and Ideology

National Security and Intelligence Oversight

As ranking Democratic member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence from 2007 to 2011, Jane Harman played a central role in overseeing U.S. intelligence activities, including the evaluation of programs targeting terrorist threats and the balance between operational effectiveness and protections. During her tenure, she advocated for increased funding and technological enhancements for agencies, emphasizing the need for robust capabilities to counter evolving threats such as affiliates, based on empirical assessments of pre-9/11 intelligence failures that contributed to the 2001 attacks. Her oversight efforts prioritized measurable outcomes, including improved collection and tools, which she argued were essential for disrupting plots, as evidenced by the program's role in targeting communications post-9/11. Harman consistently supported expansions of (NSA) authorities, including the 2005-2006 debates over warrantless , which she described as "essential" for despite raising concerns among critics. In congressional briefings and public statements, she endorsed FISA modernization to enable faster responses to terrorist threats, co-sponsoring legislation like H.R. 5371 to authorize emergency NSA of suspected terrorists while incorporating oversight mechanisms. This stance reflected her view that empirical data on thwarted attacks—such as those linked to NSA intercepts—justified enhanced tools over stricter warrant requirements, even as she pushed for bipartisan congressional review to mitigate abuses. Following the 9/11 attacks, Harman contributed to joint congressional inquiries and bipartisan reports assessing intelligence shortcomings, including the House-Senate Joint Inquiry into Intelligence Community Activities Before and After the Terrorist Attacks of , 2001, which highlighted failures in sharing information on jihadist networks motivated by ideological extremism. She co-authored recommendations for structural reforms, such as better interagency coordination, that informed the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, aiming to preempt threats through proactive intelligence rather than reactive measures. In these efforts, Harman balanced by advocating for oversight boards and judicial reviews, while grounding threat assessments in causal factors like radical Islamist ideologies driving recruitment and operations, as detailed in committee reports on counterterrorism priorities. Harman later critiqued leaks compromising intelligence methods, notably those by in 2013, arguing that the disclosures—encompassing over 1.7 million documents—forced the intelligence community into a defensive posture, enabling adversaries to adapt tactics and eroding operational efficacy without yielding verifiable public benefits. She maintained that such revelations damaged alliances reliant on shared intelligence and undermined preemptive capabilities, prioritizing evidence of real-world harms like disrupted operations over abstract gains, and suggested whistleblowers pursue internal or congressional channels rather than mass disclosures. This perspective aligned with her oversight philosophy, which favored sustaining capabilities proven effective against empirical threats like ongoing jihadist plots, as opposed to reforms driven primarily by leak-induced public backlash.

Foreign Policy Perspectives

Jane Harman has consistently advocated for a robust U.S.- alliance, emphasizing military aid and strategic cooperation as essential to countering regional threats. As ranking member and later chair of the House Intelligence Committee, she aligned closely with pro-Israel lobbying groups, including the , whose positions mirrored her support for annual U.S. military assistance to exceeding $3 billion during her tenure. Her ties to , which included campaign contributions and policy coordination, have drawn scrutiny for potentially influencing her legislative priorities, though Harman maintained these reflected her independent assessment of 's security needs amid threats from and . On the Armenian genocide recognition, Harman initially co-sponsored H. Res. 106 in 2007, affirming the World War I-era mass killings of 1.5 million Armenians as , but withdrew support shortly before the House Foreign Affairs Committee vote. In an October 3 letter to committee chair , she argued the resolution would destabilize U.S.- relations, endanger logistics reliant on Turkish bases, and provoke Turkish retaliation against U.S. forces, prioritizing geopolitical alliances over formal historical acknowledgment despite scholarly consensus on the 's scale and intent. This reversal drew criticism from Armenian-American groups, who accused her of subordinating moral imperatives to short-term military expediency, while defenders noted 's role in facilitating over 70% of U.S. air operations in at the time. Harman adopted a hawkish stance toward , pushing for stringent to curb its program and regional aggression. She voted for the 2010 Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act, which targeted Iran's energy sector and refined petroleum imports, aiming to impose economic pressure without immediate military action. In debates, she criticized opponents of unilateral sanctions as naive, arguing they failed to deter Tehran's support for militias in and , though some analysts contended such measures isolated the U.S. from European allies and hardened Iranian resolve. Regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Harman endorsed a , supporting negotiated concessions such as phased Israeli withdrawals from settlements in exchange for security guarantees, as outlined in her post-congressional advocacy for renewed peace talks. Critics from the pro-Israel right viewed this as overly dovish, potentially emboldening Palestinian rejectionism, while her emphasis on dismantling Hamas's military capabilities underscored a realist approach linking concessions to verifiable denuclearization of threats like Iran's . Her framework, blending deterrence against authoritarian regimes with selective , faced accusations from anti-interventionist Democrats of enabling proxy conflicts by underestimating Islamist ideological drivers, though empirical data on efficacy showed mixed results in altering Iranian behavior.

Domestic Policy Stances and Criticisms

Harman consistently supported measures to restrict access, including backing a partial ban on semi-automatic weapons during her tenure. She voted against prohibiting lawsuits over product misuse associated with legal gun owners, indicating a targeted rather than sweeping approach to liability. Conservatives critiqued these positions as infringing on Second Amendment rights without addressing root causes of violence, such as cultural or factors, arguing they prioritized regulatory expansion over of efficacy in reducing crime rates. On , Harman voted in favor of protections for free-roaming and additional funding for vehicle efficiency programs like Cash for Clunkers, aligning with Democratic priorities for emissions reductions and preservation. She advocated stricter-than-federal state emission standards, contributing to California's regulatory framework. Right-leaning analysts faulted these stances for imposing economic costs on industries without proportionate global environmental gains, citing data on job losses in energy sectors and questioning the causal link between U.S. regulations and climate outcomes given emissions from developing nations. Harman displayed pragmatism on by earning an 83% rating from the Citizens' Alliance for Freedom for supporting independence measures, including service on the Energy and Commerce Committee. While favoring renewable incentives, she acknowledged the need for domestic production, as evidenced by her district's and tech interests tied to reliable energy supplies. Critics from conservative outlets argued her votes occasionally tilted toward restrictions that delayed drilling, undermining short-term independence goals despite long-term data showing U.S. shale advancements reducing import reliance post-2010. In advocating women's into roles, Harman opposed proposals to segregate basic training by , asserting that services were best positioned to manage without congressional . She highlighted risks—stating women in uniform faced higher odds of attack by comrades than enemy fire—but prioritized full inclusion over structural reforms like separation, which she viewed as penalizing victims. Conservative analysts criticized this approach for disregarding evidence on erosion, pointing to studies showing correlated with higher injury rates and lowered performance standards in , potentially compromising operational effectiveness. Harman backed comprehensive immigration reform, voting against border fencing and in favor of pathways for undocumented immigrants while emphasizing enforcement caveats tied to security screenings. Her record opposed mandatory reporting of hospital-treated illegal aliens, reflecting a balanced view on humanitarian access. Right-wing commentators lambasted these positions as enabling unchecked inflows, citing fiscal data on welfare costs exceeding contributions from low-skilled migrants and arguing they ignored enforcement failures' causal role in wage suppression for native workers. Harman's overall domestic voting aligned with centrist Democrats, including Blue Dog Coalition membership focused on fiscal restraint, though empirical analyses of her record reveal mixed support for entitlements expansion—opposing some Social Security benefit hikes while backing Medicare adjustments. Mainstream media often amplified her liberal social stances, overstating progressive alignment; conservative reviews, however, portrayed her as embodying diluted centrism that accommodated leftward drifts on guns and immigration without rigorous cost-benefit scrutiny.

Controversies and Criticisms

2009 NSA Wiretap and AIPAC Espionage Case

In April 2009, CQ Politics reported that a (NSA) wiretap conducted in 2005 or 2006 as part of an captured then-Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA) in a conversation with Richard Rosenzweig, a suspected Israeli agent and advocate. According to sources familiar with the transcript, Harman reportedly promised to "waddle into" the pending Justice Department case against two officials, Steven Rosen and Keith Weissman, by urging lenient treatment such as reduced charges or dropped prosecution, in exchange for AIPAC's assistance in securing her appointment as chairwoman of the House Intelligence Committee. The reported involved AIPAC leveraging influence over House Speaker through "California Jews" and Democratic donors to block Harman's rival, , from the Intelligence chairmanship—a position she held as ranking member at the time of the call. Harman, who was unaware of the wiretap until media reports surfaced, vehemently denied any improper quid pro quo, asserting that her advocacy for the AIPAC officials constituted standard constituent services and that she had urged only a fair process without intervening improperly. She described the surveillance as an "abuse of power" by the NSA and Justice Department, particularly given her role overseeing intelligence matters, and demanded the release of full transcripts to clear her name, writing to Attorney General Eric Holder to investigate the matter. Harman further claimed the leak of the wiretap details to CQ was politically motivated, timed to undermine Democrats amid Bush-era tensions over NSA surveillance programs, which she had publicly defended. No criminal charges were ever filed against Harman, and the Justice Department ultimately dropped the espionage case against Rosen and Weissman in without trial, citing insufficient to prove intent to harm U.S. interests. Internal deliberations reportedly considered prosecuting Harman but were halted by then-Attorney General and John , ostensibly to preserve the broader investigation and protect classified NSA methods, though critics from conservative outlets argued this reflected favoring pro-Israel influence. The incident fueled ongoing debates about foreign lobby sway over U.S. lawmakers, with right-leaning analysts citing it as of compromised oversight in and , paralleling broader concerns over and undue Israeli influence without formal registration under the . Despite the lack of prosecution, the unresolved transcript details left empirical questions about potential influence peddling lingering, as no public release of the full recording occurred to independently verify interpretations.

Allegations of Foreign Influence and Ethical Lapses

Harman participated in the American Israel Public Affairs Committee's () 2001 PowerTrip to , a sponsored congressional involving meetings with Israeli leaders and security briefings, funded by the pro-Israel lobby without disclosure as activities. organizations, including the Center for Public Integrity, have highlighted such trips as mechanisms for lobby influence on U.S. policy, particularly given AIPAC's exemption from (FARA) requirements despite advocacy aligned with Israeli government priorities. Critics from groups like the Institute for Research: Middle Eastern Policy argue this structure enables unregistered coordination with foreign interests, potentially skewing lawmakers' views toward donor-favored outcomes, as evidenced by AIPAC's historical success in securing aid packages exceeding $3 billion annually to during Harman's tenure. In May 2008, a former staffer accused Harman of directing congressional employees to perform campaign tasks, such as coordination, on official time, violating House Rule XXIII prohibiting use of government resources for personal or political gain. The allegation emerged amid a broader Department of Justice review of Hill staff practices, prompted by the staffer's guilty plea to unrelated charges, which Harman cited to question the accuser's credibility. No formal sanctions resulted from the House Ethics Committee review, but the incident underscored ongoing concerns about lax enforcement of "revolving door" norms and staff allocation, with data from the Office of Congressional Ethics showing over 30 similar probes into resource misuse across in 2009. Following her 2011 departure from , Harman joined the board of in 2018, a provider holding over $1 billion in U.S. Department of contracts for secure global communications. This role drew scrutiny for potential conflicts, as her prior legislative support for and appropriations—totaling hundreds of billions during her committee service—aligned with Iridium's interests, exemplifying dynamics where ex-officials monetize policy expertise. Analysts, including those at , noted such positions in her subsequent advisory capacities, like chairing the 2024 Commission on the National Strategy advocating massive budget increases, risk entrenching industry-favored spending over fiscal restraint, though Harman maintained her recommendations stemmed from threat assessments rather than personal gain.

Post-Congressional Activities

Leadership at the Center

Jane Harman resigned from the U.S. on February 28, 2011, to assume the roles of Director, President, and CEO of the International Center for Scholars, becoming the first woman to lead the congressionally chartered, nonpartisan . Her appointment leveraged her congressional experience in and oversight to guide the Center's mission of connecting scholarly research with policy formulation on international affairs. Over her tenure from 2011 to 2021, Harman directed 's expansion of programming on global security challenges, including the 2020 report Managing Nuclear Risks, which analyzed post-Cold War dynamics and recommended renewed U.S.- engagement to mitigate threats amid eroding treaties. The institution under her leadership maintained a bipartisan , convening dialogues among policymakers, scholars, and practitioners on topics such as deterrence and democratic , while producing policy-relevant analyses on emerging threats like vulnerabilities and great-power competition. These efforts positioned as a bridge between and government, drawing on its endowment and congressional funding to sustain independent scholarship despite broader scrutiny over donor influences on event programming. Harman concluded her leadership in February 2021 after a decade in the position, transitioning to the role of Distinguished Fellow and President Emerita, during which continued to emphasize policy outputs informed by empirical assessments of U.S. strategic interests. Her stewardship preserved the institution's reputation for rigorous, evidence-based contributions to public discourse on , though some observers noted potential tensions from selective event focuses amid funding dependencies common to policy institutes.

Recent Engagements and Advisory Roles (2011–Present)

Following her tenure in Congress, Harman chaired the bipartisan, congressionally mandated from 2022 to 2024, culminating in a unanimous report released on July 16, 2024, that criticized the existing U.S. National Defense Strategy as outdated and insufficient against escalating threats from , , , and . The report urged a rapid military buildup, including increased defense spending to at least 5% of GDP, enhanced industrial base capacity, and renewed bipartisan consensus on deterrence to counter peer competitors' advances in conventional and . Harman has held advisory positions on several prominent boards and commissions, including co-chairing the board of since October 2022, where she contributed to assessments of global democratic backsliding and authoritarian challenges. She serves as a trustee of the , participating in its strategy group focused on U.S. security policy, and as a member of the Trilateral Commission's executive committee, engaging on transatlantic and transpacific cooperation amid geopolitical shifts. In academic roles, Harman was appointed Presidential Scholar-in-Residence at the University of Southern California's School of in January 2022, emphasizing and deterrence strategies, and serves as a distinguished fellow at University's Institute of Global Politics, where she addressed multifaceted threats including space domain vulnerabilities in discussions through 2024. In February 2025, she co-chaired a task force that recommended bolstering U.S. leadership in outer space through integrated military-civil capabilities to deter aggression and maintain technological edges over adversaries. These engagements underscore her emphasis on restoring deterrence amid eroding domestic consensus on defense priorities.

Personal Life

Marriage and Family

Jane Harman was first married to Richard A. Frank, a government administrator, from 1969 until their in 1978. The couple had two children: Brian Frank, born in 1973, and Hilary Frank, born in 1975. In 1980, Harman married , an audio equipment pioneer and founder of Industries, with whom she remained until his death from complications of on April 12, 2011, at age 92. They had two children together: Daniel Geier Harman and Justine Leigh Harman. Sidney Harman brought four children from his prior marriage to the blended family: Lynn, Barbara, Gina, and Paul. This structure provided personal support amid Harman's political career, though specific dynamics remain private. The family established the Harman Family Foundation, which Jane Harman serves as trustee and president, focusing grants on arts education, youth development programs, and enriching educational opportunities in regions including Washington, D.C., and . The foundation's assets exceed $36 million, directing funds to initiatives at the intersection of arts and community enrichment.

Philanthropy and Personal Interests

Harman serves as president of the Harman Family Foundation, a private philanthropic organization she co-founded with her late husband, , in 1985. The foundation supports programs at the intersection of arts and youth development, aiming to enhance educational opportunities for underserved middle and high school students from low-income communities, particularly in the , metropolitan area and . It also funds capacity-building for community-based nonprofits and initiatives promoting post-secondary and career success for youth up to age 26. Grants from the foundation, totaling approximately $2.2 million in 2023, are awarded exclusively to tax-exempt organizations by invitation, excluding other private foundations or political entities. These efforts prioritize direct programming in education and arts over broader ideological pursuits, focusing on verifiable improvements in youth outcomes through structured, arts-integrated interventions. Beyond the foundation, Harman has contributed to women's leadership initiatives by sharing practical insights drawn from her experiences, such as in a 2014 address at , her alma mater, where she emphasized mutual support among women as a core principle for advancement. Her philanthropic engagements underscore a preference for evidence-based support in cultural and educational spheres, including trusteeships at organizations like the , which convenes discussions on and societal issues.

References

  1. [1]
    HARMAN, Jane L. | US House of Representatives
    Jane Harman was born Jane Margaret Lakes in New York City on June 28, 1945, to Adolph N. and Lucille (Geier) Lakes. Raised in Los Angeles, she graduated from ...Concise Biography · Extended Biography · External Research Collections
  2. [2]
    HARMAN, Jane L. - Bioguide Search
    HARMAN, Jane L., a Representative from California; born in New York, NY, June 28, 1945; graduated from University High School, Los Angeles, Calif., 1962.
  3. [3]
    Jane Harman | Congress.gov
    Jane Harman, the Representative from California - in Congress from 1993 through 1999, 2001 through 2011.
  4. [4]
    BIOGRAPHY: Jane Harman - State.gov
    A product of Los Angeles public schools, Harman is a magna cum laude graduate of Smith College, where she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, and Harvard Law School.
  5. [5]
    Jane Harman - NASA
    Sep 20, 2024 · During her public career, Jane Harman served nine terms in Congress, including four years after 9/11 as ranking member of the House Intelligence ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
  6. [6]
    Jane Harman | USC Price
    Jane Harman's career is one of distinction and bipartisan leadership. Harman served on all major US House security committees.
  7. [7]
    Jane Harman | Wilson Center
    Jane Harman resigned from Congress February 28, 2011 to join the Woodrow Wilson Center as its first female Director, President, and CEO.
  8. [8]
    Hon. Jane Harman | Institute of Global Politics | SIPA
    Jane Harman served nine terms in Congress as the U.S. representative for California's 36th congressional district and was ranking member of the Intelligence ...Missing: career | Show results with:career
  9. [9]
    JANE HARMAN: Home
    She also serves as co-chair of the Freedom House Board of Trustees and was previously president and CEO of the nonpartisan Wilson Center, where she is now ...
  10. [10]
    Jane Harman '69: 'We haven't learned that when we work together ...
    Sep 10, 2021 · In May 2021, she released a policy memoir, “Insanity Defense: Why Our Failure to Confront Hard National Security Problems Makes Us Less Safe.”Missing: controversies | Show results with:controversies
  11. [11]
    Harman 'Outraged' Over Alleged Wiretapping - NPR
    Apr 21, 2009 · Jane Harman was recorded agreeing to seek lenient treatment for two men accused of espionage in exchange for political help. Harman tells ...
  12. [12]
    Harman, AIPAC, and Leaks - Federation of American Scientists
    Apr 21, 2009 · By all authoritative accounts, Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA) did not interfere in the investigation of two former pro-Israel lobbyists who were ...<|separator|>
  13. [13]
    Jane Lakes Harman - Sophia Smith Collection
    Jane Lakes Harman was born on 28 June 1945 in New York City to Dr. Adolf Lakes (1911-1998) and Lucille Geier Lakes (d. 1993). Her mother, whose family had ...Missing: immigrant | Show results with:immigrant
  14. [14]
    Jane Harman | Jewish Women's Archive
    Apr 20, 2022 · Her first opponent, Joan Milke Flores, espoused a strong antiabortion stance, and Harman made abortion rights the central issue of her campaign: ...Missing: controversies | Show results with:controversies
  15. [15]
    Education - Sophia Smith Collection - Jane Lakes Harman
    Harman earned her Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Harvard in 1969. When she was a law student, Harman said, "women were the smallest minority of the class - 22 ...<|separator|>
  16. [16]
    Collection: Jane Harman papers | Smith College Finding Aids
    After finishing at Smith, Harman went on to attend Harvard University School of Law and graduated in 1969 with her Juris Doctorate (J.D.). Later that year ...
  17. [17]
    JANE HARMAN - SFGATE
    May 10, 1998 · * CAREER: Legislative director, Sen. John Tunney, 1972-73; Chief counsel, Senate Judiciary Subcommittee, 1973-77; Cabinet liaison, Carter White ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  18. [18]
    White House - Sophia Smith Collection - Jane Lakes Harman
    From 1977 through 1978 Harman served as deputy secretary to the Cabinet in the Carter Administration. Reporting to Cabinet Secretary Jack Watson, Harman ...<|separator|>
  19. [19]
    Remembering Jimmy Carter: Former congresswoman reflects
    Mar 29, 2023 · Former US Rep. Jane Harman, a Presidential Scholar-in-Residence at the USC Price School of Public Policy, served as the deputy secretary of the Cabinet in ...
  20. [20]
    Smith Medalist Jane Lakes Harman '66: 'Identify Your Dream'
    Feb 14, 2022 · Prior to her election, Harman, a graduate of Harvard Law School, held several positions within the government, including deputy secretary to ...
  21. [21]
    ELECTIONS / 36TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT : Campaign a ...
    Harman's Democratic pedigree--featuring nearly two decades of work for the party in both the public and private sectors--gives her entree to some of the most ...Missing: early 1970s
  22. [22]
    Former Rep. Jane Harman - D California, 36th, Resigned - LegiStorm
    Full Name: Jane Margaret Lakes Harman · Pronouns: Feminine Female · Date of Birth: June 28, 1945 (age: 80) · Place of Birth: New York, N.Y. · Religion: Jewish ...Missing: immigrant parents Russia Poland
  23. [23]
    Goal of Boosting Defense Budget Eludes GOP Lawmakers - CQ Press
    It assumed that closing unneeded military bases would trim the services ... During the full committee markup, Jane Harman, D-Calif., challenged Dornan.
  24. [24]
    Congress, 1993-1998 - Sophia Smith Collection - Jane Lakes Harman
    The next year she ran for the open congressional seat in the thirty-sixth district. She campaigned and won on a platform of "pro-choice, pro-change" against her ...
  25. [25]
    Rep. Jane Harman Joins Calif. Governor's Race - February 4, 1998
    Feb 4, 1998 · WASHINGTON (Feb. 4) -- The California governor's race gained another Democratic candidate while a prominent Republican has decided not to run.
  26. [26]
    Governor's Race a Field of 4 as Deadline Passes - Los Angeles Times
    Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan jumped out and U.S. Rep. Jane Harman jumped into the California governor's race Wednesday, solidifying a field that will ...
  27. [27]
    Socket Moms | The New Yorker
    Apr 6, 1998 · But the immediate action is on the Democratic side, where three California archetypes are embroiled in a primary election that will be held on ...
  28. [28]
    California's Wealth of Lessons | American Enterprise Institute - AEI
    When a second wealthy candidate, Rep. Jane Harman, entered the race in February, she quickly became the front-runner. Checchi concentrated a ferocious negative ...Missing: gubernatorial | Show results with:gubernatorial
  29. [29]
    Defense Firms Were Key Donors to Harman Races
    May 11, 1998 · Hughes' executives and the company's political action committee have contributed more than $70,000 to her congressional campaign committee--part ...
  30. [30]
    Harman Wins Backers But Raises Eyebrows / She's hit for being ...
    By Carla Marinucci, Chronicle Political Writer March 26, 1998. 1998-03-26 04:00:00 PDT STATE -- Democratic gubernatorial front-runner Jane Harman wrapped up ...Missing: Party | Show results with:Party
  31. [31]
    Rivals Trade Charges With Tough, Negative Ads - Los Angeles Times
    May 5, 1998 · After months of intermittent sniping, full-fledged war has broken out in the race for California governor. The battle is, as ever, ...
  32. [32]
    1998 Gubernatorial Democratic Primary Election Results - California
    Gubernatorial Candidate, Political Party, Popular Vote. Gray Davis, Democratic, 2,083,396, 56.76%. Al Checchi, Democratic, 748,828, 20.40%. Jane Harman ...Missing: share | Show results with:share
  33. [33]
    Harman Backs Davis All the Way in Governor Race / Ex-opponent ...
    Jul 13, 1998 · 1998-07-13 04:00:00 PDT STATE -- Before the June 2 primary, they were battling it out by air and on land -- but Lieutenant Governor Gray ...Missing: announcement | Show results with:announcement
  34. [34]
    Big-Spending Outsiders Don't Connect With Voters - June 3, 1998
    Jun 3, 1998 · By Stuart Rothenberg. Primary voters across the country confirmed the conventional wisdom that big-spending political outsiders have lost their ...Missing: campaign finance
  35. [35]
    Jane Harman Saves The Patriot Act - LAist
    Jul 11, 2004 · It took just four Democratic defections to keep the Patriot Act as-is. The Patriot Act, which gives law enforcers the right to sneak, peek, ...
  36. [36]
    Alarming Sex Assault Rate Found Among Vets - CBS News
    Oct 28, 2008 · "Women serving in the military today are more likely to be raped by a fellow soldier than to be killed by enemy fire in Iraq," Harman said.
  37. [37]
    Harman makes her exit official - POLITICO
    Rep. Jane Harman gave more than her two weeks' notice Tuesday when she confirmed her decision to leave the House of Representatives for a think tank.
  38. [38]
    Harman's Departure Tees Up First Special - Roll Call
    Feb 7, 2011 · Rep. Jane Harman's sudden resignation Monday sets up her coastal Los Angeles-area district to host the first special election of the 2012 cycle.
  39. [39]
    Jane Harman Bio - Ndscommission - Senate.gov
    Jane Harman served nine terms in Congress as the US representative for California's 36th congressional district and was ranking member of the Intelligence ...Missing: career | Show results with:career
  40. [40]
    [PDF] The Honorable Jane Harman | Congress.gov
    Sep 18, 2024 · Representing the aerospace center of California during nine terms in Congress, she served on all the major security.
  41. [41]
    Serious Intelligence Reform | American Enterprise Institute - AEI
    Serious Intelligence Reform. By Jane Harman. March 05, 2004. For as long as I have been in Congress, the intelligence committees have been islands of sanity.
  42. [42]
    [PDF] Good Intelligence Is a Key Ingredient to Good Foreign Policy
    Jane Harman is the Director, President & CEO of the Wilson Center and a former nine-term member of Congress from. California. She served as Ranking Member of ...Missing: criticisms | Show results with:criticisms
  43. [43]
    House Approves FISA Amendments Act of 2008
    ... Role of the Parties.--Any plaintiff or defendant in a civil action may ... Jane Harman, who is the former ranking member of the Intelligence Committee ...
  44. [44]
    Facts For All - Vote Smart
    HR 1400 - Iran Counter-Proliferation Act of 2007 - National Key Vote ... Legislation - Bill Passed (House) (397-16) - Sept. ... Jane Harman (CA - D) (Out Of Office) ...
  45. [45]
    Why Congress needs accurate intelligence on the Iran threat - The Hill
    Jun 7, 2019 · Jane Harman is the president of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. She served in Congress as a Democratic representative from ...Missing: legislation | Show results with:legislation
  46. [46]
    Cybersecurity Legislation Gains Traction - Broadband Breakfast
    Jun 22, 2010 · WASHINGTON, June 22, 2010 – House Intelligence Subcommittee Chairwoman Jane Harman, D-Calif., announced the consideration of new ...
  47. [47]
    H.R.3985 - Interrogation Procedures Act of 2005 - Congress.gov
    Interrogation Procedures Act of 2005 - Prohibits any individual in the custody or control of the U.S. government, regardless of nationality or physical location ...Missing: detainee | Show results with:detainee
  48. [48]
    Harman Urges Adoption of Anti-Torture Provision - Vote Smart
    Harman. "This legislation would empower agents in the field and clarify the rules governing interrogations so that there can be no doubt what conduct is ...
  49. [49]
    111th Congress (2009-2010): Lawful Interrogation and Detention Act
    Lawful Interrogation and Detention Act - Directs the President, within one year after the enactment of this Act, to close the detention facility at Guantanamo ...
  50. [50]
    White House Fought New Curbs on Interrogations, Officials Say
    Jan 13, 2005 · The Senate measure to impose new restrictions on the use of extreme interrogation measures, drafted by Senator Richard J. Durbin, Democrat of ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  51. [51]
    The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act - News and Resources
    The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), born after the Watergate scandal, establishes how the government can secretly eavesdrop on Americans in their ...
  52. [52]
    Secrecy is a Cancer on Our Democracy | ACLU of Texas
    Jun 6, 2014 · Former House Intelligence Committee ranking member Jane Harman described in 2008 ... FISA Amendments Act (the constitutionality of which we were ...
  53. [53]
    Former Congresswoman Jane Harman Discusses Array of National ...
    Oct 16, 2024 · The Honorable Jane Harman, a nine-term congresswoman, has a storied track record of making national security issues matter to the American public.
  54. [54]
    Jane Harman - Aspen Institute
    She left the House in 2011 to become the first woman president and CEO of the Wilson Center, transitioning to president emerita in 2021. She recently chaired ...
  55. [55]
    White House Defends NSA Surveillance Activity
    Jan 4, 2006 · ... Ranking Democrat On The House Intelligence Committee Representative Jane Harman (D-CA) Calls The NSA Program "Essential" To Targeting Al ...
  56. [56]
    Setting the Record Straight: Critics Launch Attacks Against Program ...
    Jan 4, 2006 · Jane Harman, Harman Statement On NSA Electronic Surveillance Program, Press Release, 12/21/05). The Program Targets Suspected "Al Qaeda ...Missing: funding | Show results with:funding
  57. [57]
    ACLU Letter to Congresswoman Jane Harman Supporting Her Bill ...
    ACLU Letter to Congresswoman Jane Harman Supporting Her Bill, H.R. 5371, the “Lawful Intelligence and Surveillance of Terrorists in an Emergency by NSA Act” ...Missing: funding | Show results with:funding
  58. [58]
    Congress Granted Oversight for NSA Surveillance Program - PBS
    Feb 8, 2006 · JANE HARMAN: Well, I said then and I say now that I support the program. But let me describe in general terms these gang of eight briefings.
  59. [59]
    [PDF] joint inquiry into intelligence community activities before and after ...
    Sep 11, 2025 · ... JANE HARMAN, California. GARY A. CONDIT, California. TIM ROEMER, Indiana. SILVESTRE REYES, Texas. LEONARD L. BOSWELL, Iowa. COLLIN C. PETERSON ...
  60. [60]
    H. Rept. 108-724 - 9/11 RECOMMENDATIONS IMPLEMENTATION ...
    Part 1 of House report on 9/11 RECOMMENDATIONS IMPLEMENTATION ACT. This report is by the Intelligence (Permanent Select) Committee.
  61. [61]
    [PDF] COUNTERTERRORISM POLICIES AND PRIORITIES
    Mar 20, 2013 · moment to rationalize and calibrate our response to terrorism and related threats to our national security. THE THREAT LANDSCAPE. Today al ...
  62. [62]
    Snowden's Ill-Deserved 'Fifteen Minutes' | Wilson Center
    Absent a clearly defined framework, Snowden's hemorrhaging leaks keep our Intelligence Community playing defense, writes Jane Harman.
  63. [63]
    Jane Harman on the Anniversary of the Edward Snowden Leaks
    Jun 3, 2014 · Former Defense Department and CIA chief of staff Jeremy Bash and Wilson Center Director Jane Harman talks with Andrea Mitchell about NSA leaker ...
  64. [64]
    [PDF] The Honorable Jane Harman
    Jan 15, 2014 · The Senate approach is different and progress is urgently needed. • Spillover from the Snowden leaks has meant that businesses are even more.
  65. [65]
    Harman's AIPAC ties include 2001 Israel PowerTrip
    Jan 7, 2022 · The Center's PowerTrips database adds some more context to the wiretap allegations that Harman was prepared to act on behalf of the AIPAC ...
  66. [66]
    The genocide vote: Now is not the time - Los Angeles Times
    Oct 12, 2007 · A congresswoman explains her decision to oppose the Armenian genocide bill she co-sponsored.
  67. [67]
    https://www.dailynews.com/2007/10/10/harmans-flip-flop-on-armenian-genocide-resolution-attacked/
  68. [68]
    LA Times Editorial Condemns Harman for Duplicity on Genocide ...
    Oct 10, 2007 · LA Times Editorial Condemns Harman for Duplicity on Genocide Resolution ... the Armenian Genocide Resolution, which she had initially co-sponsored ...
  69. [69]
    Loose Lips on Iran Can Sink America | Truthout
    From her position on the Intelligence Committee, Harman was better positioned than most of her colleagues to know that Bush was hyping or inventing the evidence ...
  70. [70]
    Harman tries to use Peace Action to bolster flimsy progressive record
    Harman voted in favor of dangerous unilateral sanctions on Iran that won't change the Iranian regime's behavior and are likely to backfire and hurt the ...
  71. [71]
    Jane Harman on Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process - YouTube
    Dec 2, 2011 · Former Democratic Congresswoman Jane Harman, now President & CEO of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, sits down with ...
  72. [72]
    Harman, Winograd spar over Iran - POLITICO
    May 4, 2010 · The tussle erupted last week, after Winograd seized on remarks Harman, the hawkish chairwoman of the House Intelligence Subcommittee, made in an ...
  73. [73]
    Jane Harman on the Issues - OnTheIssues.org
    Sep 16, 2012 · Jane Harman on Gun Control. Click here for 5 full quotes on Gun Control OR background on Gun Control. Voted NO on prohibiting product misuse ...Foreign Policy · Gun Control · Homeland Security
  74. [74]
    Bill Would Separate Men and Women in Basic Training
    May 18, 1997 · ''The services are better judges on how to train than a rump group of congresspersons,'' said Representative Jane Harman, Democrat of California ...
  75. [75]
    Jane Harman: Serving their country at the risk of being raped
    Apr 1, 2008 · A female military recruit is pinned down at knifepoint and raped repeatedly in her own barracks. Her attackers hide their faces, but she ...<|separator|>
  76. [76]
    Jane Lakes Harman - Sophia Smith Collection
    Harman, a staunch supporter of gender-integrated training, saw no reason to penalize the victims of harassment by segregating their training. She believed ...
  77. [77]
    Jane Harman: My voting record isn't anti-immigration
    Apr 5, 2010 · Let me be clear: I support comprehensive immigration reform and providing the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants already in our ...Missing: position | Show results with:position
  78. [78]
    Jane Harman We Knew Ye Too Well - Reason Magazine
    Feb 7, 2011 · Telling because Jane Harman combines the worst of centrist politics as fully as her husband Sidney recently combined the worst of new and ...
  79. [79]
    What To Make Of The Alleged Jane Harman/AIPAC Quid Pro Quo
    Apr 20, 2009 · An NSA wiretap picked up Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA) telling a suspected Israeli agent that she would lobby the Justice Department to reduce espionage charges.Missing: advocacy | Show results with:advocacy
  80. [80]
    Lawmaker Is Said to Have Agreed to Aid Lobbyists - The New York ...
    Apr 20, 2009 · Representative Jane Harman was overheard on calls agreeing to seek favorable treatment from the Bush administration for two pro-Israel ...Missing: advocacy | Show results with:advocacy
  81. [81]
    Harman calls out NSA - POLITICO
    Apr 22, 2009 · Rep. Jane Harman (D-Calif.) launched a blistering counteroffensive Tuesday, denying published reports she offered to help two pro-Israel lobbyists accused of ...Missing: funding | Show results with:funding
  82. [82]
    Spy Story: Harman, Saban, and AIPAC | The Nation
    Apr 20, 2009 · Jane Harman , the California Democrat with a longtime involvement in intelligence issues, was overheard on an NSA wiretap telling a suspected ...
  83. [83]
    'CQ' says Rep. Jane Harman caught on wiretap with suspected ...
    'CQ' says Rep. Jane Harman caught on wiretap with suspected Israeli agent discussing AIPAC espionage scandal – and that's just the beginning! By Philip Weiss ...
  84. [84]
    Congresswoman calls alleged wiretap 'abuse of power' - CNN.com
    Harman defended her conversations with advocacy groups, calling them "entirely appropriate," but said she never contacted anyone to seek favorable treatment ...
  85. [85]
    Harman denies wiretap report - POLITICO
    Rep. Jane Harman (D-Calif.), a leading supporter of Israel, is vehemently denying a report that the NSA wiretapped a conversation in which she assured a ...
  86. [86]
    Calif.'s Harman Rails Against Wiretapping That Ensnared Her - The ...
    Jane Harman vowed yesterday to clear her name after the revelation of a wiretapped conversation in which she reportedly agreed to intervene in the federal ...
  87. [87]
    Harman On NPR: 'I'm Outraged Over Wiretaps.' Still, More Questions ...
    Right off the bat, when Siegel asked her if she remembers the "phone call in question," Harman responded with, "We don't know if there was a phone call." But ...
  88. [88]
    [PDF] The American Israel Public Affairs Committee is an Unregistered ...
    Nov 4, 2009 · In addition to repeatedly violating the 1938 Foreign Agents Registration Act, AIPAC's activities routinely short circuit the advice and consent ...
  89. [89]
    Lawmakers Accused of Flouting Rules on Use of Staff - The ...
    Using congressional staff members on official time to help campaign violates ethics rules. The practice also may violate laws that prohibit soliciting ...
  90. [90]
    Did lawmakers misuse staff for campaigns? - POLITICO
    May 16, 2008 · The Washington Post has reported that a "disgruntled" former employee has accused Harman and Abercrombie of "forcing congressional staff to ...Missing: Committee 2010 gifts
  91. [91]
    New Investigations and Suitcases of Money : Sunlight Foundation
    Reps. Jane Harman and Neil Abercrombie were accused of using congressional staff to do campaign work by a former staffer who recently plead guilty to fraud ...
  92. [92]
    Ethics investigators probe dozens in Congress - NBC News
    Oct 30, 2009 · Ethics investigators review activities of over 30 lawmakers and aides regarding defense lobbying, corporate influence peddling and other ...
  93. [93]
    The War Profiteers Overseeing US Pentagon Spending
    Jan 25, 2023 · The chair of the commission, former Rep. Jane Harman (D-Calif.), sits on the board of Iridium Communications, a satellite communications firm ...
  94. [94]
    Jane Harman - OpenSecrets
    Employment History ; 2011, Newsweek Daily Beast Revolving Door Personnel: 1, Member, Board of Directors ; 2001 - 2011, US House of Representatives Revolving Door ...
  95. [95]
    New Strategy Commission Reflects Conflicts-Of-Interest And ...
    Jul 30, 2024 · Jane Harman, D-Calif., chair of the Commission on the National Defense Strategy, and vice chair Eric S. Edelman, before the Senate Armed ...
  96. [96]
    Representative Jane Harman (D-Calif.) to Lead the ... - Wilson Center
    The Wilson Center appointed The Honorable Jane Harman (D-Calif.) as its new president, CEO, and director. "I am passionate about public policy," said Harman ...
  97. [97]
    [PDF] MANAGING NUCLEAR RISKS - Wilson Center
    Aug 6, 2020 · My thanks begin with Jane Harman for her support of policy-relevant ... In 1979, the United States affirmed a “one China” policy when ...
  98. [98]
    Wilson Center President to Step Down After Almost Decade of Service
    Jul 14, 2020 · Harman served nine terms in Congress on all the major security committees, including four years as Ranking Member on the House Permanent Select ...Missing: achievements | Show results with:achievements
  99. [99]
    Think Tanks in Transition - CQ Press
    Sep 29, 2017 · Once viewed as independent producers of innovative policy solutions, think tanks are facing new questions about donor influence over their ...
  100. [100]
    Jane Harman - Aspen Ideas Festival
    Jane Harman is a distinguished fellow and president emerita of the Woodrow Wilson Center, where she was president and CEO from 2011 to 2021.
  101. [101]
    Jane Harman Steps Down: A Look Back on a Decade of Leadership ...
    Feb 25, 2021 · In this special edition of Wilson Center NOW we are joined by Wilson Center Director, President, and CEO Jane Harman, whose decade-long ...Missing: 2011-2021 | Show results with:2011-2021
  102. [102]
    [PDF] Commission on the National Defense Strategy
    Jul 16, 2024 · Jane Harman, Chair. Jane Harman served nine terms in Congress as the U.S. representative for California's 36th con- gressional district and ...
  103. [103]
    [PDF] Statement of Chair Harman and Vice Chair Edelman Commission ...
    Sep 18, 2024 · As Ambassador Edelman will detail, the threats to our national security have been mounting for two decades and are greater now than at any time ...Missing: criticisms surveillance
  104. [104]
    Commission on the National Defense Strategy - RAND
    Jul 29, 2024 · RAND hosted members of the Commission in September 2024 to hear their perspectives on the range of threats to U.S. national security, and what ...
  105. [105]
    Commission Says U.S. Needs More, Different Resources for ...
    Sep 19, 2024 · Former Congresswoman Jane Harman chaired the effort with Ambassador Eric Edelman as the vice chair. They spoke to the Defense Writers' Group on ...
  106. [106]
    Freedom House Welcomes New Board Chair Jane Harman, Six ...
    Oct 11, 2022 · Jane Harman will serve as chair of the Freedom House Board of Trustees. Harman is a former nine-term congresswoman from California and former ranking member of ...
  107. [107]
    Jane Harman - Aspen Security Forum
    Harman's book, “Insanity Defense: Why Our Failure to Confront Hard National Security Problems Makes Us Less Safe,” was published by St. Martin's Press in 2021.Missing: controversies | Show results with:controversies
  108. [108]
    Leadership, Members & Fellows - The Trilateral Commission
    Jane Harman. President Emerita, Wilson Center, Washington; former Member, U.S. House of Representatives. Carla A. Hills. Chair and CEO, Hills & Company ...
  109. [109]
    Announcing Jane Harman, Presidential Scholar-in-Residence at ...
    Jan 20, 2022 · Former California Congresswoman Jane Harman has been named the newest Presidential Scholar-in-Residence at the USC Sol Price School of Public ...
  110. [110]
    New CFR Task Force Report Outlines a Plan to Maintain U.S. ...
    Feb 11, 2025 · The Task Force is co-chaired by former Congresswoman Jane Harman and retired Lieutenant General Nina M. Armagno, the first director of staff ...<|separator|>
  111. [111]
    Strategic shifts: Insights from the Commission on the National ...
    Dec 10, 2024 · Former Congresswoman Jane Harman and former Ambassador Eric Edelman discuss how the NDS Commission's findings will shape US defense strategy.<|separator|>
  112. [112]
    Trustee Sidney Harman, 92 - Caltech Associates
    Apr 14, 2011 · Caltech mourns the loss of trustee Sidney Harman, who died in Washington, D.C., on April 12 of complications from leukemia. He was 92.
  113. [113]
    Harman Family Foundation | supporting arts, education, and ...
    The Harman Family Foundation funds programs in the Washington, DC region and New York City that work at the intersection of arts and youth development.
  114. [114]
    HARMAN FAMILY FOUNDATION | Foundation Profile & Grants
    The Harman Family Foundation, based in Los Angeles, California, is a philanthropic organization with assets totaling approximately $36.5 million.
  115. [115]
    The Harman Family Foundation
    Aug 31, 2021 · Purpose and Activities. Giving primarily for the performing arts, international affairs, education, and human services. Hide. Background.
  116. [116]
    Harman Family Foundation - InfluenceWatch
    The Harman Family Foundation seeks to improve educational opportunities for underprivileged youths up to age 26. It directly funds education and arts ...
  117. [117]
    Harman Family Foundation | Los Angeles, CA | 990 Report
    Harman Family Foundation is a private foundation located in Los Angeles, CA and gave $2213950 in grants in 2023. Discover their grant history, ...
  118. [118]
    Grant Information | Harman Family Foundation
    We make grants to tax-exempt organizations only, but not to other private foundations or to political organizations. Grant Proposals are by invitation only.
  119. [119]
    Jane Harman '66 Shares Lessons on Women's Leadership
    Jun 5, 2014 · Harman stressed that the purpose of women's leadership is “to help each other,” and she lauded the Institute for providing a safe space for such ...Missing: donations Jewish causes