Brad Sherman
Encyclopedia
Bradley J. "Brad" Sherman (born October 24, 1954) is an American
politician
. He has been a Democratic
member of the United States House of Representatives
since 1997, representing .
Born and raised in southern California, Sherman represents California’s San Fernando Valley
, and currently resides in Sherman Oaks, CA.
. The couple’s first child, Molly Hannah Sherman, was born on January 14, 2009. Their
second child, Naomi Claire Sherman, was born on February 6, 2010. Their third child, Lucy Rayna Sherman, was born on August 8, 2011.
Attended Mark Keppel High School
, Alhambra, Calif., and Corona del Mar High School, Newport Beach, Calif.; B.A., University of California, Summa Cum Laude , Los Angeles, Calif., 1974; J.D., Harvard Law School, Magna Cum Laude , Cambridge, Mass., 1979
firms. While at the firm, he audited large businesses and governmental entities, provided tax law counsel on multi-million dollar transactions, advised entrepreneurs and small businesses on tax and investment issues, and helped represent the Government of the Philippines under President Aquino in a successful effort to seize assets of deposed President Marcos. Sherman was also an instructor at Harvard Law School’s International Tax Program.
First elected to the United States House of Representatives
in 1996, Sherman is serving his eighth term in Congress. Congressman Sherman is a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and serves as the top Democrat on the Subcommitee on International Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade. He is also a senior member of the Financial Services Committee.
and the League of Conservation Voters
– two of the oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States.
Serving on the House Budget Committee in 1997, Congressman Sherman authored the Sherman Amendment to the Budget Resolution providing an additional $700 million for the acquisition of environmentally important lands in FY ‘98. The Sherman Amendment was included in the Joint Budget Resolution and effectuated by a $699 million appropriation. Sherman also secured $20 million to acquire land and to complete the Backbone Trail System
through the Santa Monica Mountains
National Recreation Area.
, Sherman was an early and outspoken critic of the proposal, leading the House revolt against the bailout bill, a move which made him "spectacularly unpopular with both the Republican and Democratic leaderships, not to mention K Street." Sherman argued that Bush and his advisors had created a panic atmosphere in an effort to get lawmakers to rubber-stamp the bill.
In September 2010, Sherman introduced legislation designed to close loopholes for U.S. companies with subsidiaries operating in Iran
. He has also sought legislative measures to curtail U.S. funding of international organizations providing loans to Iran. "We must continue to enact tougher sanctions to isolate Iran economically and diplomatically, and we must act now," Sherman said.
, a conservative synagogue in Encino, California.
In 2006 Congressman Sherman was married to Lisa Kaplan by the senior Rabbi of Valley Beth Shalom, Rabbi Eddie Feinstein.
Sherman's Los Angeles district lies within a Scientology stronghold, and he attended the Church of Scientology
's reopening in Washington, DC in October 2009. Speaking about the importance of religious freedom, he praised the church's work in support of that aim. Sherman has been described as "[one] of the church's best friends currently serving in Congress," and was "honored at a 2004 Celebrity Centre gala" featuring famous Scientologists such as John Travolta
and Kelly Preston
.
.
In 2004, Brad Sherman first introduced the U.S.-Israel Energy Cooperation Act. The Act was passed into law as Section 917 of the Energy Independent and Security Act of 2007. The U.S.-Israel Energy Cooperation Act now funds joint U.S. and Israeli research programs in the areas of alternative energy sources and energy efficiency. It provides grant money to joint ventures between American and Israeli academics and private sector companies that conduct research and develop energy-efficient and alternative energy technologies.
rights and an advocate of equality. He has worked in congress to end discrimination against the LGBT community, and he has consistently earned a 100% rating from The Human Rights Campaign
- the United States' largest LGBT advocacy group.
(NAFTA) and the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) arguing that the agreements cost American jobs, fail to protect foreign workers, harm the environment, and cost U.S. taxpayers billions of dollars .
Sherman has also opposed a Free Trade Agreement with Korea arguing that, a proposed U.S. trade agreement could undermine U.S. security and economic interests by benefiting China and North Korea .
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. He has been a Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
member of the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
since 1997, representing .
Born and raised in southern California, Sherman represents California’s San Fernando Valley
San Fernando Valley
The San Fernando Valley is an urbanized valley located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area of southern California, United States, defined by the dramatic mountains of the Transverse Ranges circling it...
, and currently resides in Sherman Oaks, CA.
Early life and family
On December 3, 2006, Sherman married Lisa Nicola Kaplan, a foreign affairs officer for the U.S. State DepartmentUnited States Department of State
The United States Department of State , is the United States federal executive department responsible for international relations of the United States, equivalent to the foreign ministries of other countries...
. The couple’s first child, Molly Hannah Sherman, was born on January 14, 2009. Their
second child, Naomi Claire Sherman, was born on February 6, 2010. Their third child, Lucy Rayna Sherman, was born on August 8, 2011.
Attended Mark Keppel High School
Mark Keppel High School
Mark Keppel High School is a four-year California Distinguished School located in the city of Alhambra, California in the Alhambra Unified School District. The school is on the southern edge of Alhambra, adjacent to the City of Monterey Park, and borders the Interstate 10 Freeway...
, Alhambra, Calif., and Corona del Mar High School, Newport Beach, Calif.; B.A., University of California, Summa Cum Laude , Los Angeles, Calif., 1974; J.D., Harvard Law School, Magna Cum Laude , Cambridge, Mass., 1979
Career
Early Career
Congressman Sherman’s public service career includes serving on the California State Board of Equalization from 1991 to 1996. He was Chairman of the Board from 1991 to 1995., Before joining Congress, Sherman was on staff at one of the nations’ big-four CPACertified Public Accountant
Certified Public Accountant is the statutory title of qualified accountants in the United States who have passed the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination and have met additional state education and experience requirements for certification as a CPA...
firms. While at the firm, he audited large businesses and governmental entities, provided tax law counsel on multi-million dollar transactions, advised entrepreneurs and small businesses on tax and investment issues, and helped represent the Government of the Philippines under President Aquino in a successful effort to seize assets of deposed President Marcos. Sherman was also an instructor at Harvard Law School’s International Tax Program.
First elected to the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
in 1996, Sherman is serving his eighth term in Congress. Congressman Sherman is a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and serves as the top Democrat on the Subcommitee on International Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade. He is also a senior member of the Financial Services Committee.
Environment
Congressman Sherman has earned a 100% rating from the Sierra ClubSierra Club
The Sierra Club is the oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States. It was founded on May 28, 1892, in San Francisco, California, by the conservationist and preservationist John Muir, who became its first president...
and the League of Conservation Voters
League of Conservation Voters
The League of Conservation Voters is a political advocacy organization founded in 1969 by American environmentalist David Brower in the early years of the environmental movement. LCV's mission is to "advocate for sound environmental policies and to elect pro-environmental candidates who will adopt...
– two of the oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States.
Serving on the House Budget Committee in 1997, Congressman Sherman authored the Sherman Amendment to the Budget Resolution providing an additional $700 million for the acquisition of environmentally important lands in FY ‘98. The Sherman Amendment was included in the Joint Budget Resolution and effectuated by a $699 million appropriation. Sherman also secured $20 million to acquire land and to complete the Backbone Trail System
Backbone Trail System
The Backbone Trail System is a long distance trail extending 67.79 miles across the length of the Santa Monica Mountains in the U.S. state of California. Its western terminus is Point Mugu State Park and its eastern terminus is Will Rogers State Historic Park in Pacific Palisades...
through the Santa Monica Mountains
Santa Monica Mountains
The Santa Monica Mountains are a Transverse Range in Southern California, along the coast of the Pacific Ocean in the United States.-Geography:...
National Recreation Area.
Financial crisis
During the debate over the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008
The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (Division A of , commonly referred to as a bailout of the U.S. financial system, is a law enacted in response to the subprime mortgage crisis...
, Sherman was an early and outspoken critic of the proposal, leading the House revolt against the bailout bill, a move which made him "spectacularly unpopular with both the Republican and Democratic leaderships, not to mention K Street." Sherman argued that Bush and his advisors had created a panic atmosphere in an effort to get lawmakers to rubber-stamp the bill.
China, Iran
In August 2010, Sherman introduced legislation aimed at rescinding China's Most Favored Nation status as long as there was not "a more level playing field between our two nations". He said that "the U.S. – China trade relationship is horrendously lopsided".In September 2010, Sherman introduced legislation designed to close loopholes for U.S. companies with subsidiaries operating in Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
. He has also sought legislative measures to curtail U.S. funding of international organizations providing loans to Iran. "We must continue to enact tougher sanctions to isolate Iran economically and diplomatically, and we must act now," Sherman said.
Religion
Sherman is a member of the Jewish faith. For many years Congressman Sherman and his wife Lisa have been members of Valley Beth ShalomValley Beth Shalom
Valley Beth Shalom is a Conservative Synagogue in Encino, Los Angeles, California. With over 1,800 member families it is one of the largest synagogues in Los Angeles and one of the largest Conservative synagogues in the United States...
, a conservative synagogue in Encino, California.
In 2006 Congressman Sherman was married to Lisa Kaplan by the senior Rabbi of Valley Beth Shalom, Rabbi Eddie Feinstein.
Sherman's Los Angeles district lies within a Scientology stronghold, and he attended the Church of Scientology
Church of Scientology
The Church of Scientology is an organization devoted to the practice and the promotion of the Scientology belief system. The Church of Scientology International is the Church of Scientology's parent organization, and is responsible for the overall ecclesiastical management, dissemination and...
's reopening in Washington, DC in October 2009. Speaking about the importance of religious freedom, he praised the church's work in support of that aim. Sherman has been described as "[one] of the church's best friends currently serving in Congress," and was "honored at a 2004 Celebrity Centre gala" featuring famous Scientologists such as John Travolta
John Travolta
John Joseph Travolta is an American actor, dancer and singer. Travolta first became known in the 1970s, after appearing on the television series Welcome Back, Kotter and starring in the box office successes Saturday Night Fever and Grease...
and Kelly Preston
Kelly Preston
Kelly Preston is an American actress and former model.- Early years :Preston was born Kelly Kamalelehua Smith in Honolulu, Hawaii. Her mother, Linda, was an administrator of a mental health center, and her father, who worked for an agricultural firm, drowned when Preston was three years old...
.
Israel
Sherman has been a strong supporter and advocate of the U.S-Israel relationship, consistently backing US aid to IsraelIsrael
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
.
In 2004, Brad Sherman first introduced the U.S.-Israel Energy Cooperation Act. The Act was passed into law as Section 917 of the Energy Independent and Security Act of 2007. The U.S.-Israel Energy Cooperation Act now funds joint U.S. and Israeli research programs in the areas of alternative energy sources and energy efficiency. It provides grant money to joint ventures between American and Israeli academics and private sector companies that conduct research and develop energy-efficient and alternative energy technologies.
LGBT
Congressman Sherman is a strong supporter of LGBTLGBT
LGBT is an initialism that collectively refers to "lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender" people. In use since the 1990s, the term "LGBT" is an adaptation of the initialism "LGB", which itself started replacing the phrase "gay community" beginning in the mid-to-late 1980s, which many within the...
rights and an advocate of equality. He has worked in congress to end discrimination against the LGBT community, and he has consistently earned a 100% rating from The Human Rights Campaign
Human Rights Campaign
The Human Rights Campaign is the United States' largest LGBT advocacy group and lobbying organization; according to the HRC, it has more than one million members and supporters...
- the United States' largest LGBT advocacy group.
Pro-Choice
Congressman Sherman is pro-choice. He has earned a 100% rating from NARAL and Planned ParenthoodPlanned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood Federation of America , commonly shortened to Planned Parenthood, is the U.S. affiliate of the International Planned Parenthood Federation and one of its larger members. PPFA is a non-profit organization providing reproductive health and maternal and child health services. The...
Gun Control
Congressman Sherman has worked to control the sale of guns designed to penetrate bullet proof vests. He was a sponsor of the Protect Law Enforcement Armor (PLEA) Act . Sherman has received a 100% rating from The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun ViolenceTrade
Sherman has opposed the North American Free Trade AgreementNorth American Free Trade Agreement
The North American Free Trade Agreement or NAFTA is an agreement signed by the governments of Canada, Mexico, and the United States, creating a trilateral trade bloc in North America. The agreement came into force on January 1, 1994. It superseded the Canada – United States Free Trade Agreement...
(NAFTA) and the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) arguing that the agreements cost American jobs, fail to protect foreign workers, harm the environment, and cost U.S. taxpayers billions of dollars .
Sherman has also opposed a Free Trade Agreement with Korea arguing that, a proposed U.S. trade agreement could undermine U.S. security and economic interests by benefiting China and North Korea .
Town Hall Meetings
Sherman has held over 100 Town Hall meetings since being elected to Congress.Committee assignments
- Committee on Financial ServicesUnited States House Committee on Financial ServicesThe United States House Committee on Financial Services is the committee of the United States House of Representatives that oversees the entire financial services industry, including the securities, insurance, banking, and housing industries...
- Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government-Sponsored Enterprises
- Subcommittee on Insurance, Housing and Community Opportunity
- Committee on Foreign Affairs
- Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and TradeUnited States House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and TradeThe U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade is a standing subcommittee within the House Foreign Affairs Committee.-Jurisdiction:...
(Ranking Member) - Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific
- Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade
External links
- U.S. Congressman Brad Sherman, U.S. House site
- Brad Sherman for U.S. Congress, Campaign site