Howard Berman
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| Howard Berman | |
|---|---|
| Name | Howard Berman |
| Caption | Berman in 2012 |
| State | California |
| District | 26th (2003–2013), 28th (1993–2003), 26th (1983–1993) |
| Term start | January 3, 1983 |
| Term end | January 3, 2013 |
| Predecessor | John H. Rousselot |
| Successor | Brad Sherman |
| Office2 | Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee |
| Term start2 | 2008 |
| Term end2 | 2013 |
| Predecessor2 | Tom Lantos |
| Successor2 | Ed Royce |
| Party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | University of California, Los Angeles (BA), University of California, Los Angeles School of Law (JD) |
| Birth date | 15 April 1941 |
| Birth place | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Spouse | Janis Berman |
Howard Berman is an American politician and attorney who served as a United States Representative from California for three decades. A member of the Democratic Party, he represented parts of the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles, becoming a prominent figure on foreign policy and intellectual property law. His career was marked by a close alliance with fellow California Democrat Henry Waxman and a pivotal 2012 primary election defeat.
Early life and education
Born in Los Angeles, Berman was raised in a politically active family. He attended UCLA, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1962. He subsequently graduated from the UCLA School of Law with a Juris Doctor in 1965. During his time at UCLA, Berman became involved in student government and developed key political relationships, including a lifelong partnership with Henry Waxman.
Political career
Before his election to Congress, Berman served in the California State Assembly from 1973 to 1982, where he was a close ally of Speaker Leo McCarthy. Elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1982, he quickly gained influence. He served as Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee from 2008 until 2013, following the death of Tom Lantos. Berman also held senior roles on the House Judiciary Committee, where he co-authored landmark legislation like the Berman-Coble Act and the PROTECT IP Act. His "Waxman-Berman" political machine was a dominant force in Los Angeles County politics for years.
Post-Congress career
After leaving Congress, Berman joined the Covington & Burling law firm in Washington, D.C. as a senior counsel. He remains active in foreign policy circles, frequently commenting on issues related to the Middle East, United States-Israel relations, and international trade. He has served on advisory boards for organizations like the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Anti-Defamation League.
Political positions and legacy
Berman was known as a staunch liberal on domestic issues and a pro-Israel hawk on foreign policy. He was a leading voice on copyright law, advocating for strong protections for the entertainment industry in Los Angeles. His legacy is closely tied to his work on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where he supported foreign aid and robust State Department funding. The 2012 primary election battle against fellow Democrat Brad Sherman, necessitated by redistricting, ended his congressional career but cemented his reputation as a formidable policy expert.
Electoral history
Berman was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1982 from California's 26th congressional district, defeating Republican Robert K. Doran. He was re-elected consistently with wide margins until 2012. That year, due to California's 2012 congressional redistricting, he was drawn into the same 30th district as incumbent Brad Sherman. In the jungle primary, Berman placed second behind Sherman and subsequently lost the general election in November, marking his first defeat after 15 terms in Congress.
Category:1941 births Category:Living people Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from California Category:California Democrats Category:American labor lawyers Category:People from Los Angeles Category:UCLA alumni Category:UCLA School of Law alumni