Exclusive: Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi speaks about the Presidential race, his priorities for H-1B visas

Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Illinois, is among the leading lawmakers on Capitol Hill, among those who frequently appear on mainstream media, vocal on issues of concern to not just the nation, but also Indian Americans, and India. In an exclusive interview to Desi Talk and News India Times, Rep. Krishnamoorthi addressed his priorities and his agenda as he seeks a fifth term in Congress.

First elected in 2016, he is a member of numerous committees and caucuses on Capitol Hill and the first South Asian ever to be made Ranking Member, in this case, of the Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party. A graduate of Harvard Law School, Rep. Krishnamoorthi served at high levels of government in Illinois before being elected to the US Congress.

The following is an interview on August 26, 2024:

1.   On hindsight, what were your major takeaways from the event (Democratic National Convention)?

First of all, I thought the convention was extremely successful. I thought the highlight of the convention was Kamala Harris’s speech, which illustrated that she is strong, she has America’s best interests at heart, and that she would make an excellent president for all the people, not just one portion of the people or another. 

I think a big highlight for myself personally was being able to take the stage on Thursday and speak to the DNC. That was the first time I had ever had that opportunity. It was a thrill and an amazing experience and an honor for me personally. I think just the entire convention showcased Chicago and Chicago’s star shined brightly for the entire world to see.

2.   Did you see and what do you think about the Indian American participation in the Convention – on the floor and on stage?

I think that Kamala Harris’s nomination as the first Desi to be nominated for President by our party was a huge highlight and a moment of great pride for millions of Indian Americans, including myself. Her family hails from the same part of the world that mine does, namely Tamil Nadu, India, and that is an extra source of pride.

3.   About Kamala Harris – how does it feel to have her as the Presidential candidate?

In politics, the person meets the moment, and Kamala Harris is exactly the right person for this moment. At a time when our freedoms are on the line, especially our reproductive freedoms, at a time when we need our laws to be faithfully executed and applied to everyone equally. At a time when we pull together as a country and unify around our common challenges, Kamala Harris is the type of person that we need to fulfill these goals.

Four more years of Donald Trump will serve to divide us further at a time when we very much need to unify as Americans.

4.   What are your priorities over the next 3 months in the runup to November 5?

I’m seeking a contract extension, so to speak, for a fifth term myself in 71 days. I will be working hard to win re-election, but at the same time, the Harris campaign has asked me to campaign for Kamala Harris in different battleground states, which I intend to do, to ensure that Kamala Harris gets elected. I’m a member of her AAPI leadership board and I also want to make sure that Asian Americans and Indian Americans get mobilized to vote for Kamala Harris. 

5.   Your own re-election campaign is also going on – tell us about it – what are your major needs and how can the Indian American community help you.

There are three things that the Indian American community can do– both for me, and Kamala Harris, and others that they support. First, they have to vote. Democracy is a verb, it’s not just a noun. That means we have to exercise our voting rights and make sure we cast our votes in time for the November 5th election. Secondly, we continue to seek volunteers, for my campaign as well as the Kamala Harris campaign in the battleground states especially. And then third, obviously whatever resources people can afford to devote, those resources are always welcome at all levels to ensure that our volunteers are fed, yard signs are purchased, and that we get the message out to voters about what our candidacies stand for. 

6.   The issue of H 1-B visas and permanent residence are looming for so many Indian Americans. One of the opinions I have heard is that lifting the cap on H-1Bs could actually make things worse, and that clearing the deck with current waiting list of thousands and thousands. Also, there is a feeling that the case for LEGAL immigrants like H-1B visa holders could be made more forcefully by lawmakers, especially those of Indian descent. could you comment on that?

I think that lifting the caps is essential to helping to make sure that people who are in queue first are able to matriculate from H1-B visas to green cards, and I’m the lead Democrat on this particular bill. I’m committed to getting it passed, but I need people in the Indian American community to continue to advocate for it. I also need everybody, whoever cares about this issue, to speak up. Whether you’re an Indian American lawmaker or any kind of lawmaker, this is the right thing to do, not just for those people who are in queue, but for the American economy as well. Because this will unleash tremendous resources on the part of these H1-B holders starting new businesses, employing more Americans, and propelling our economy forward.

7.   What do you hope to accomplish in your next term?

There are various objectives that I have. One is that hopefully if we have the White House, the House, and the Senate, I’d like to see immigration reform, including the measures that I mentioned. I also want to see a lot more resources go toward upgrading the skills of our workforce, and the reauthorization of my law, the Perkins Career Technical Education law, which I had co-authored 5 years ago and is up for reauthorization, I believe, in 2025. I want to see that expanded so that more Americans can get access to the good jobs of today and tomorrow that are essential for winning the strategic competition between the US and CCP.

Finally, I want to see more done to reduce the cost of higher education. I have legislation which would shed more light and bring greater transparency to this issue, and I want to see that passed as well.