Washington, DC – History was made on Tuesday, as four Indian American members of the House of Representatives and the first Indian American Senator were sworn in to the 115th Congress of the United States. This not only exceeds the number of Indian Americans ever elected to Congress, but quadruples the community’s representation in the House.
Rep. Ami Bera, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Rep. Ro Khanna, and Rep. Pramila Jayapal, all Democrats, were sworn in to the US House of Representatives, marking the first time in history more than one Indian American has served in Congress simultaneously. Sen. Kamala HarrisTuesday was the first Indian American sworn in to the Senate.
“This milestone is not only a proud moment for Indian Americans, it’s a proud moment for all Americans,” said Bera, US Representative for California’s 7th Congressional District. “With the door wide open, we hope to inspire the next generation to serve the country that we love,” Bera added.
Tireless worker Jayapal of Washington’s 7th Congressional District said, “As the first Indian-American woman in the House of Representatives, I’m proud to serve with such capable colleagues, and I hope that our presence in Congress inspires the next generation of leaders.”
Expressing his feelings of being humbled and honored, Krishnamoorthi from the 8th Congressional District of Illinois said, “The story of our community is unique but also similar to that of immigrants throughout American history. I look forward to working with my colleagues to make our contributions to that legacy, knowing others will follow.”
Khanna of California’s 17th Congressional District said, ”It’s an extraordinary time to serve in Congress and I am proud to represent the only Asian American majority district in the continental United States.”
Bera, who in the 114th Congress Co-Chaired the Caucus on India and Indian Americans, was the lone Indian American member in the 113th and 114th Congress. Prior to Bera, Dalip Singh Saund and Bobby Jindal served in the US House of Representatives, from 1957-1963 and 2005-2008, respectively.