On January 10, Representative Ami Bera (CA-06) announced, alongside fellow lawmakers Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), and Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), a historic milestone in the U.S. Congress. Their statement celebrated the largest representation of Indian Americans in Congress, with six members serving in the 119th Congress.
Representative Bera, who was the sole Indian American member of Congress in 2013, expressed pride in the growing representation, stating that this expansion would pave the way for even more Indian Americans in the future. “I have been committed to this effort since my first day in office,” Bera remarked, acknowledging the inclusion of his colleagues from across the country.
Representative Jayapal, the first Indian American woman in Congress, shared her journey of overcoming early struggles and her pride in representing the Indian American community. She was excited about the increasing strength of the Samosa Caucus, welcoming Representative Subramanyam as its newest member.
In addition, Representative Khanna, co-chair of the India Caucus, emphasized the importance of having a diverse group of Indian Americans in Congress to strengthen the U.S.-India relationship. Meanwhile, Representative Krishnamoorthi reflected on coining the term “Samosa Caucus” and noted that their collective goal is to represent constituents while inspiring future Indian American leaders.
Representative Thanedar shared his personal immigrant story, emphasizing the American Dream and his excitement about serving his constituents while supporting fellow Indian Americans. Representative Subramanyam, who made history as the first Indian American from Virginia to serve in Congress, was proud of his achievements and optimistic about future Indian American representation in Congress.
The article highlights the immense contributions of Indian Americans in various fields, including tech, medicine, and business, with notable figures like Satya Nadella (Microsoft) and Sundar Pichai (Google). The journey began with Dalip Singh Saund, the first Indian American in Congress, and continues today with Vice President Kamala Harris’ trailblazing achievements. As more Indian Americans rise to leadership positions, their influence in the political arena is set to expand further in the coming years.
