Biography
Overview
Ted Lieu is a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 36th district (previously the 33rd from 2015-2023). A naturalized U.S. citizen who immigrated from Taiwan at age 3, Lieu has represented South Bay Los Angeles, the Westside, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and surrounding areas since 2015. Before Congress, he served in the California State Senate (2011-2014) and Assembly (2005-2010). He is a graduate of Stanford University with degrees in computer science and political science, and holds a J.D. from Georgetown University. Lieu served four years of active duty in the Air Force Judge Advocate General's Corps (1995-1999) and later served in the Air Force Reserve, attaining the rank of colonel. He currently serves as vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus.
Career
In the state legislature, Lieu passed laws on child sex offender prevention, domestic violence victim protections, cyberbullying, sewage spill reporting, and foreclosure prevention. In Congress, he has advanced privacy and civil rights legislation, including bills restricting nuclear weapons use and eliminating money bail. He was an impeachment manager during President Trump's second impeachment trial in 2021. He authored the first state-level ban on conversion therapy in 2012, which other states later replicated. He has been a vocal critic of Saudi intervention in Yemen and has championed AI regulation and government surveillance transparency. He introduced bipartisan encryption protection legislation and has consistently advocated for gun safety measures.
Prior political experience
Lieu was first elected to the U.S. House in 2014, defeating Republican Elan Carr in the general election for California's 33rd congressional district after placing second in the June primary. He previously won a February 15, 2011 special election to the California State Senate (28th district), defeating four Republicans, one Democrat, and two independents. In the state assembly, he won a September 13, 2005 special election for the 53rd district, defeating three Republicans, and was reelected in 2006 and 2008. He also served on the Torrance City Council, elected March 5, 2002.
Biographical material adapted from the Wikipedia article (retrieved April 29, 2026), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Ideology
Liberal–Conservative (DW-NOMINATE dim 1)
Secondary axis (DW-NOMINATE dim 2)(?)
Campaigns targeting Ted Lieu
No active campaigns target Ted Lieu right now.
Start a campaign targeting Ted LieuOfficeholding history
| Term | Seat | Term dates | Termination | Predecessor | Successor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd | U.S. House CA-36 | 2025–present | In progress | Ted Lieu | — |
| 1st | U.S. House CA-36 | 2023–2025 | Term ended | Raul Ruiz | Ted Lieu |
| 4th | U.S. House CA-33 | 2021–2023 | Term ended | Ted Lieu | Pete Aguilar |
| 3rd | U.S. House CA-33 | 2019–2021 | Term ended | Ted Lieu | Ted Lieu |
| 2nd | U.S. House CA-33 | 2017–2019 | Term ended | Ted Lieu | Ted Lieu |
| 1st | U.S. House CA-33 | 2015–2017 | Term ended | — | Ted Lieu |
Committee assignments
- Courts, Intellectual Property, Artificial Intelligence, and the InternetHouse· 2025–present
- House· 2025–present
- House· 2025–present
Current term legislation
Bills sponsored this term10
- H.R. 8451
To limit the extent to which certain Federal law enforcement agencies may be permitted to conduct law enforcement functions in a jurisdiction without the approval of such jurisdiction, and for other purposes.
Apr 22, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8178
Protecting Americans from Unauthorized Surveillance Act
Apr 2, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7738
Government Surveillance Transparency Act of 2026
Feb 26, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7434
AI Grand Challenges Act of 2026
Feb 9, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7111
Correctional Facility Disaster Preparedness Act of 2026
Jan 15, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 6405
Arms Sale Oversight Act
Dec 3, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 6306
AI Fraud Deterrence Act
Nov 25, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 6268
LEAD Act of 2025
Nov 21, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 6149
FAIR Act
Nov 19, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 6098
Climate Solutions Act of 2025
Nov 18, 2025IN_COMMITTEE
Bills cosponsored this term10
- H.R. 8450
To require a pilot program to enhance existing efforts to mitigate vessel impacts on large cetaceans in the San Francisco Bay region, and for other purposes.
Apr 22, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8429
Baby Food Safety Act of 2026
Apr 22, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8303
Revitalizing America’s Schoolyards Act of 2026
Apr 15, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8275
Commission on Presidential Capacity to Discharge the Powers and Duties of the Office Act
Apr 14, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8175
To amend title 10, United States Code, and the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994, to codify and clarify gender neutral standards for members of certain Armed Forces, and for other purposes.
Apr 2, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8163
Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2026
Mar 30, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8074
Kira Johnson Act
Mar 25, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8055
Extending WIC for New Moms Act
Mar 24, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8045
Student Loan Interest Elimination Act
Mar 24, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8031
GUARDRAILS Act
Mar 20, 2026IN_COMMITTEE
Elections
| Year | Seat | Result | Vote share | Field |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | U.S. House CA-36 | Pending | 68.72% |
|