Ted Lieu

Ted Lieu
Born	Ted Win-Ping Lieu 29 3, 1969
Birthplace	Taipei, Taiwan
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, lawyer
Known for	U.S. Representative for California's 36th congressional district; Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus
Education	Georgetown University (JD)
Children	2
Website	[lieu.house.gov Official site]

Ted Win-Ping Lieu (Template:Zh; born March 29, 1969) is an American lawyer, politician, and retired military officer who has served as the U.S. Representative for California's 36th congressional district since 2023, and previously represented the 33rd congressional district from 2015 to 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, Lieu's district encompasses the South Bay and Westside regions of Los Angeles, including Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, the Palos Verdes Peninsula, and the Beach Cities. Born in Taipei, Taiwan, Lieu emigrated to the United States at the age of three, making him one of a small number of members of Congress who are naturalized citizens. Before entering federal politics, he served in the California State Assembly representing the 53rd district from 2005 to 2010 and in the California State Senate representing the 28th district from 2011 to 2014. A graduate of Stanford University and Georgetown University Law Center, Lieu also served on active duty in the United States Air Force Judge Advocate General's Corps from 1995 to 1999 and continued in the Air Force Reserve Command until 2021, attaining the rank of colonel. Since January 2023, he has served as Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus under the leadership of Hakeem Jeffries.

Early Life

Ted Win-Ping Lieu was born on March 29, 1969, in Taipei, Taiwan. His family emigrated to the United States when he was three years old. As a Taiwanese American, Lieu grew up in the United States and became a naturalized citizen, a distinction shared by only a small number of members of the U.S. Congress. His immigrant background has been a recurring element of his public identity and political career, informing his perspectives on immigration policy and the experience of Asian Americans in public life.

Lieu's family settled in the United States during a period of significant Taiwanese emigration. The family's decision to relocate was part of a broader wave of Taiwanese immigrants seeking educational and economic opportunities in America during the late 1960s and 1970s. Lieu has spoken publicly about his experience growing up as an immigrant and the formative influence it had on his worldview and commitment to public service.

Education

Lieu attended Stanford University, where he earned two undergraduate degrees — a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science. He subsequently enrolled at Georgetown University Law Center, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree. His legal education at Georgetown prepared him for a career in military law and, later, elected office. Lieu's academic credentials at two of the nation's prominent universities provided a foundation for his subsequent service in the Judge Advocate General's Corps and his legislative career in California and Washington, D.C.

Career

Military Service

Following his graduation from Georgetown University Law Center, Lieu entered active duty with the United States Air Force in the Judge Advocate General's Corps, serving from 1995 to 1999. In this capacity, he served as a military lawyer, providing legal counsel within the Air Force's legal framework.

After completing his active-duty service, Lieu transitioned to the Air Force Reserve Command in 2000, where he continued to serve for over two decades. During his reserve service, Lieu was promoted through multiple ranks. In 2010, while serving in the California State Legislature, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel. He attained the rank of colonel in 2015, the same year he began serving in the U.S. House of Representatives. Lieu retired from the Air Force Reserve in 2021, concluding more than 25 years of military service. His dual role as both a military officer and elected official was a defining characteristic of his public career and informed his positions on defense policy, veterans' affairs, and national security issues during his time in Congress.

California State Assembly

Lieu's career in elected office began in 2005 when he won a special election to represent the 53rd district in the California State Assembly, filling the seat left vacant by the death of Assemblyman Mike Gordon. Lieu served in the Assembly from September 21, 2005, to November 30, 2010, and was succeeded by Betsy Butler.

During his tenure in the Assembly, Lieu was an active legislator who focused on a range of policy areas. He was involved in efforts related to consumer protection, environmental issues, and the rights of military personnel and veterans. In 2007, Lieu worked on legislation pertaining to local issues in his district, including matters affecting the coastal communities of the Westside and South Bay areas of Los Angeles.

Lieu was also active on issues affecting Asian Americans. In 2008, he worked alongside California State Senator Leland Yee to help rescind the LPGA's proposed English-language policy penalties, which had drawn criticism for potentially discriminating against international players, many of whom were of Asian descent.

Lieu also worked on legislation to benefit veterans and military personnel. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed bills supported by Lieu that provided benefits for veterans and active-duty military personnel in the state.

2010 Attorney General Campaign

In 2009, Lieu entered the race for California Attorney General, seeking to become the first Asian American to hold that office in the state's history. Lieu's candidacy attracted attention within the Asian American community and was seen as a significant step for representation in statewide office. However, Lieu did not advance to the general election, as the race was ultimately won by Kamala Harris.

California State Senate

Following his time in the Assembly, Lieu won a special election in 2011 to represent the 28th district in the California State Senate, filling the seat left vacant by the death of Senator Jenny Oropeza. He was sworn in on February 18, 2011, and served until November 30, 2014, when he departed to take his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

In the State Senate, Lieu continued his focus on consumer protection, technology, environmental issues, and civil rights. He served on several committees and was an active voice on matters of cybersecurity and privacy, themes that would later define much of his work in Congress. Lieu was notably involved in the debate over California Senate Constitutional Amendment No. 5, a proposed amendment to the state constitution that was the subject of significant legislative attention and public debate.

U.S. House of Representatives

Election to Congress

In 2014, Lieu ran for the U.S. House seat in California's 33rd congressional district, which was being vacated by longtime Representative Henry Waxman. Lieu won the election and took office on January 3, 2015. He succeeded Waxman, who had represented parts of the Westside and South Bay of Los Angeles for four decades. Following redistricting, Lieu began representing California's 36th congressional district starting in January 2023.

Legislative Work and Policy Focus

In Congress, Lieu has focused on issues related to technology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and encryption. He has been one of the more prominent congressional voices on technology policy, drawing on his background in computer science from Stanford University. In February 2016, Lieu introduced legislation that would prevent state and local governments from enacting laws to weaken smartphone encryption, reflecting his strong position in favor of consumer privacy and robust cybersecurity standards.

Lieu has served on several key House committees during his time in Congress, including the House Judiciary Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee. His committee assignments have allowed him to engage on a broad range of policy issues, from immigration and civil liberties to international relations and defense policy.

In the 115th Congress (2017–2019), House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi appointed Lieu as an assistant whip, a leadership role that involved helping coordinate votes and build consensus within the Democratic caucus.

From January 2019 to January 2023, Lieu served as Co-Chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, alongside Representatives Matt Cartwright, Debbie Dingell, and Joe Neguse. In this role, he helped shape the Democratic caucus's messaging strategy and policy platform during a turbulent period in American politics that included the impeachment of Donald Trump, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the events of January 6, 2021.

In January 2023, Lieu was elected Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, serving under Caucus Chair Hakeem Jeffries, who simultaneously became House Minority Leader. This position placed Lieu among the highest-ranking members of the Democratic leadership in the House, and he became one of the most senior Asian American members in congressional leadership history.

The For the People Act

Lieu was involved in the legislative process surrounding H.R. 1, the For the People Act of 2019, a comprehensive bill addressing voting rights, campaign finance, and government ethics. He introduced amendments to the legislation during its consideration in the House, advocating for provisions he viewed as essential to strengthening democratic institutions.

Recent Congressional Activity

Lieu has continued to be an active and outspoken member of Congress in 2025. In a statement issued through his official office, Lieu responded to the Trump Administration's military action in Venezuela, raising concerns about the use of military force without congressional authorization.

Lieu has also been involved in the congressional examination of the Jeffrey Epstein files. At a House Judiciary Committee hearing, Lieu made public statements concerning allegations contained in the Epstein files, drawing significant media attention. Lieu cited federal sex trafficking law in criticizing Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche for comments Blanche made about the Epstein matter, stating he was "highly disturbed" by Blanche's remarks. In a related hearing, Lieu accused Attorney General Pam Bondi of making false statements regarding the Epstein files, leading to a contentious exchange during the proceedings.

Democrats in Congress, with Lieu among them, warned that they would seek to compel testimony from former President Donald Trump in connection with the Epstein files after Republicans moved to have former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testify before the House committee.

In November 2025, Lieu announced federal funding for stormwater infrastructure improvements in Rolling Hills Estates, California, a community within his district, demonstrating continued attention to local constituent service alongside his national profile.

Additional Legislation

During the 115th Congress, Lieu introduced H.R. 669, a bill that reflected his interest in governance and institutional reform.

Personal Life

Ted Lieu resides in Torrance, California, with his family. He and his wife have two children. Lieu's residence in Torrance places him within the South Bay area of Los Angeles County, a region that falls within his congressional district.

As a Taiwanese American and naturalized U.S. citizen, Lieu is one of a small number of foreign-born members serving in the U.S. Congress. His background as an immigrant has been a notable aspect of his public identity and has informed his legislative positions on immigration reform and civil rights for immigrant communities. He is also one of the more prominent Asian American members of Congress and has been active in advocating for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) representation in government and public life.

Lieu's military service remained a significant part of his identity throughout his political career. He served in the Air Force Reserve concurrently with his legislative duties for over two decades, retiring with the rank of colonel in 2021 after more than 25 years of combined active-duty and reserve service.

Recognition

Lieu's rise through California state politics and into the upper ranks of the House Democratic leadership has established him as a significant figure in Democratic Party politics. His election as Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus in 2023 placed him among the highest-ranking Asian Americans in the history of the U.S. House of Representatives.

His appointment by Nancy Pelosi as assistant whip in the 115th Congress represented an early recognition of his organizational skills and influence within the caucus. His subsequent elevation to Co-Chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee and then to Vice Chair of the full caucus reflected an ascending trajectory within the party's leadership structure.

Lieu's military career also brought recognition, including his promotion to the rank of colonel in the Air Force Reserve, a rank that placed him among the more senior military officers serving simultaneously in Congress. His promotion to lieutenant colonel was noted in 2010 during his campaign for California Attorney General.

His candidacy for California Attorney General in 2010, while ultimately unsuccessful, was noted as a significant moment for Asian American representation in statewide politics, as he sought to become the first Asian American to hold that office in California.

Legacy

Ted Lieu's career reflects the intersection of military service, immigrant experience, and progressive politics in 21st-century California. As one of the few naturalized citizens and one of the most prominent Taiwanese Americans to serve in Congress, his career has been emblematic of the growing political influence of Asian Americans in U.S. politics. His trajectory from Taiwanese immigrant to colonel in the Air Force Reserve and senior member of the House Democratic leadership represents a distinctive path in American public life.

In Congress, Lieu has carved out a notable role as a voice on technology and cybersecurity policy, areas where few members of Congress have demonstrated comparable engagement. His early advocacy for encryption protections and his attention to artificial intelligence policy have positioned him as a key congressional figure on technology issues at a time when these matters have assumed increasing importance in national policy debates.

His legislative career has also been marked by an unusual pattern: both his initial entry into the California State Assembly and his subsequent election to the California State Senate came through special elections to fill seats vacated by the deaths of incumbent legislators — Assemblyman Mike Gordon in 2005 and Senator Jenny Oropeza in 2011. This coincidence gave his early political career an unconventional trajectory but also demonstrated his capacity to win competitive races in the politically active communities of coastal Los Angeles.

As Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, Lieu holds one of the most senior positions available to a member of the House minority, and his role in party messaging, strategy, and legislative coordination has made him a central figure in the Democratic Party's congressional operations.