At the ceremony, Schiff became the only senator in the nation’s history to take the oath of office three separate times in less than one month due to Senate vacancies.
Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Schiff to the Senate seat after it became vacant earlier this month when Sen. Laphonza Butler resigned on Dec. 8. Newsom previously appointed Butler to fill the seat left vacant by the death of longtime Senator Dianne Feinstein.
Ten days later on Dec. 19, Schiff was sworn in again after California Secretary of State Shirley Weber certified the state’s election results of the special election to serve the final few weeks of Feinstein’s term.
Even though the governor can appoint a person to fill a vacant Senate seat temporarily, state law requires a special election during the next statewide general election to determine who will fill the seat for the remainder of the term, starting after the election results are certified.
On Friday, Schiff was sworn in for the third time, along with many of his colleagues, to serve a full term in the 119th Congress. Vice President Kamala Harris administered the oath of office.