In a historic move for the Indian American community, six of its leaders were sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives on Friday. That is the biggest ever in terms of this ethnic minority in Congress. All six lawmakers are Democrats and boast a fresh influx of power at Capitol Hill.
Congressman Dr. Ami Bera is the oldest member of the group as well and has been re-elected to his seventh straight term as California’s 7th Congressional District representative. Discussing the triumph, Bera remembered early days when he was the only Indian American in Congress, explaining: “When I was first sworn in twelve years ago, I was the sole Indian American Member of Congress and only the third in US history. Now, our coalition is six strong!”
The newest member of this powerful club is Suhash Subramanian, the Congressman for Virginia’s 10th Congressional District. He described his elation by posting a family picture with newly-elected Speaker Mike Johnson. Other members of the team include Michigan Congressman Shri Thanedar from the 13th District, as well as the more experienced names like Ro Khanna of California, Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois, and Pramila Jayapal of Washington State.
Notably, Jayapal became the first Indian American woman to be elected to the House of Representatives. Khanna and Krishnamoorthi are very influential in their positions. Krishnamoorthi chairs the China Committee. It has been hinted that Khanna may be a future presidential candidate. Jayapal has emerged as a leader of the progressive bloc in the House.
A group, sometimes nicknamed the “Samosa Caucus,” has been a potent power in shaping policy. Though some Indian American candidates failed to make it through the recent elections, these six legislators’ success continues to pave the way for greater Indian American representation in US politics.
The achievement now belongs to the doors opened by pioneers like Dalip Singh Saund who was the first Indian American ever elected in the House in 1957 and Bobby Jindal who later became Louisiana governor.
