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Adam Schiff spent years as one of Washington’s most recognizable faces in investigations of Donald Trump. His Senate job now includes a less televised assignment with a direct bearing on this area: the Agriculture Committee. In his first year he toured Valley farms and San Luis Reservoir. For Turlock residents, he is also an office to contact about a stalled Social Security claim, veterans’ benefit or immigration application.
- Office: U.S. senator for California; Democrat.
- Service: Took the Senate oath December 9, 2024; began his full six-year term January 3, 2025.
- Next regular election: 2030. His current term ends January 3, 2031; he is not on California’s regular November 2026 Senate ballot.
- Constituent office: Fresno, (559) 485-7430.
Schiff and Alex Padilla both represent all of California, including all of Turlock. The Senate’s California history records his oath date and the transition from Laphonza Butler; his office records the start of his full term. You do not need to live in the Los Angeles district he formerly represented to ask his Senate office for help.
An East Bay upbringing, then Los Angeles and Washington
Schiff was born in Framingham, Massachusetts, and grew up in Alamo after his family moved to California. He graduated from Danville’s Monte Vista High School, Stanford and Harvard Law School. He moved to Los Angeles as a federal judge’s law clerk, then spent almost six years as a federal prosecutor. One notable case involved Richard Miller, the first FBI agent indicted for espionage. His official biography also notes that he taught political science at Glendale Community College while in the state Senate.
Elected to the California Senate in 1996 and to the House in 2000, he built a record involving criminal justice, transit and national security. In the House he chaired the Intelligence Committee, led the prosecution team in Trump’s first Senate impeachment trial and served on the January 6 committee. Those roles explain much of his national profile. His election to the Senate in 2024 changed his constituency from a Southern California district to the entire state.
Why the Agriculture Committee matters here
Schiff’s current assignments include Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry; Environment and Public Works; Judiciary; and Small Business and Entrepreneurship. He is the senior Democrat on the Fisheries, Water and Wildlife subcommittee. Agriculture’s jurisdiction brings farm policy and nutrition assistance into the same committee room; the water assignment connects him with infrastructure and environmental decisions.
During his July 2025 farm tour, he visited Salinas, Soledad, Firebaugh and Merced County. The trip included Del Bosque Farms and San Luis Reservoir with the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority.
In interviews during that trip, Schiff said California specialty-crop growers needed more attention in a farm-policy debate often focused on Midwestern commodities. Farmers raised water availability, tariffs and the difficulty of retaining crews amid immigration-enforcement fears. He said he had spoken with Valley Republicans Vince Fong and David Valadao about working together. His criticism of the administration and that willingness to collaborate were both part of the visit.
These issues are familiar around Turlock’s dairies, orchards and food businesses, even when the meeting takes place farther south. Our farms and farm stands guide describes part of that local agricultural landscape.
Regional funding and a rural-housing proposal
In a March 31, 2026 announcement, Schiff’s office said enacted fiscal-year funding bills included nearly $13.5 million for Central Valley projects. It credited work with Padilla, House members and local leaders. Among the listed projects were:
- $1.5 million for Project FIRE, a first-responder training facility in Merced County.
- More than $1 million for Dos Palos wastewater treatment.
- $3.5 million for health-professional career development and equipment in the San Joaquin Valley.
- $2 million for the Upper Kings River Water and Drought Resiliency Project.
The funding covers named projects across the Valley; local agencies carry out the work.
A separate bipartisan effort is the FARM Home Loans Act, introduced with Democrat Peter Welch and Republicans Jim Justice and Cindy Hyde-Smith in March 2026. The bill text would raise a Farm Credit rural-home lending population threshold from 2,500 to 10,000 and include accessory dwelling units. The population limit targets smaller communities. His legislation listing identifies it as a proposal referred to the Agriculture Committee.
Opposition to Trump, a censure and recorded votes
Schiff’s oversight work made him a major target of Republican criticism. On June 21, 2023, the House censured him by 213–209, with six Republicans voting present. Every yes vote was Republican and every no vote Democratic. The resolution accused him of misleading the public during investigations involving Trump and Russia. Those are the resolution’s allegations. Schiff rejected them as false and political retaliation. The House vote was a congressional condemnation, not a criminal conviction.
Two early Senate votes show his position on major measures in the Trump administration’s second term:
- Laken Riley Act, January 20, 2025: Schiff voted no. The immigration-enforcement bill passed 64–35. Padilla also voted no.
- H.R. 1 reconciliation bill, July 1, 2025: Schiff voted no. The bill known as the One Big Beautiful Bill passed after Vice President Vance broke a 50–50 tie.
A federal official’s work also includes appointments, agency oversight and defense policy. The Senate’s explanation of its powers describes those responsibilities. The installation visit below took Schiff to Twentynine Palms for a briefing, tour and discussion with Marines in May 2026.
Getting help from his Fresno office
Schiff’s federal-agency assistance page covers Social Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Veterans Affairs, the IRS and other federal agencies. Written authorization is required so staff can ask about private case information. The page supplies a dedicated USCIS release for immigration matters and a general casework form for other agencies, with printable alternatives.
- Fresno office: 2500 Tulare Street, Suite 4290, Fresno, CA 93721.
- Phone: (559) 485-7430. His office directory asks visitors to call for an appointment.
- Federal casework: Start with the official assistance forms.
Schiff and Padilla have Fresno offices in the same Tulare Street building, with different suites. You can contact either senator’s staff from Turlock. Before submitting a request, gather the agency name, claim number, dates of previous contacts and the letter or decision causing the problem. Explain the next action you are waiting for and any deadline. If you already have a congressional office handling the case, tell the next office that when you contact it.
For a view on legislation, use the senator’s contact options rather than a privacy-release form intended for casework. For a city service or state-agency issue, the Local Representatives directory leads to the appropriate level of government.
