Edward Randall Royce, commonly known as Ed Royce, is an American retired politician and lobbyist who served as a U.S. Representative from California from 1993 to 2019, representing the state's 40th and later 39th congressional districts. A Republican, Royce was a prominent figure in foreign policy, chairing the House Foreign Affairs Committee from 2013 to 2019, where he focused on international security, counterterrorism, human rights, strong U.S. alliances, and global security interests. He was known for his strong pro-Israel stance, his hawkish stance on Iran, and for leading efforts on international sanctions, particularly against Iran. Known for his bipartisan approach to legislation, Royce also worked on issues like international trade, economic development, women's empowerment, and free and fair elections. Prior to Congress, he served in the California State Senate from 1982 to 1993, representing parts of Orange and San Bernardino counties. Born on October 12, 1951, in Los Angeles, California, Royce grew up in Southern California and built a professional career in business and finance before entering politics, with roles as a small business owner, controller, capital projects manager, and corporate tax manager for a Southern California company. Royce holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Irvine (1974) and a Juris Doctor from the University of Southern California (1977), which informed his work on tax policy and international trade. After retiring from Congress in 2019, Royce transitioned into lobbying, leveraging his extensive network in foreign affairs and government relations. Throughout his career, Royce was recognized for crossing party lines to advance consensus-driven policies, and his long service solidified his influence in Republican foreign policy circles, though he faced criticism for hawkish positions on international interventions. His legacy includes significant contributions to U.S. diplomacy in regions like the Middle East and Africa.