Schiff joined the New Mexico Air National Guard in 1969, and he was a reservist until his death.

He was the Bernalillo County, New Mexico district attorney from 1981 until his entering Congress.

Schiff had an interest in UFOs and as a congressman pressured various government officials for information about them.

[1][2][3] Schiff died of squamous-cell carcinoma of the skin[4] during his fifth term in Congress in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Republican Heather Wilson won a special election to succeed him.