Indian American lawmakers celebrate expanded community representation on Capitol Hill

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On January 10, 2025, a week after they were sworn in, Indian American lawmakers noted the strength of their growing numbers on Capitol Hill. This January 3, the group numbered a hefty 6 members, most except the newest, having made their presence felt in the House of Representatives over the years.

The latest to join the group is Suhas Subramanyam of Virginia, an event that warranted a special announcement/statement from the politicos. Apart from welcoming the freshman Congressman, the lawmakers also committed themselves to meeting the needs of their constituents and strengthening US-India relations.

Congressman Dr. Ami Bera, M.D., D-California, released a statement alongside Representatives Pramila Jayapal, D-Washington, Ro Khanna, D-California, Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-California, Shri Thanedar, D-Michigan, and Suhas Subramanyam, D-Virginia, celebrating the largest representation to date, of Indian American Members of Congress in U.S. history.

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“When I first took office in 2013, I was the only Indian American Member of Congress and the third ever in our nation’s history,” Representative Bera said.

The first Indian American in the US Congress was Dalip Singh Saund of California way back in the late 1950s. It took several decades after that for the second Indian American, Louisiana Governor Bobby Piyush Jindal, the only Republican Indian American, to make it to the House in 2012.

Rep. Bera said since the day he was elected, “I have been committed to ensuring we grow our representation in Congress.”

He praised his fellow Indian Americans from around the country for increasing the representation in the past decade. … I look forward to welcoming even more Indian American Members of Congress in the future!”

“I’m thrilled that we are growing our ‘Samosa Caucus’ in this Congress with Representative Subramanyam and I look forward to continuing to work closely with these colleagues to deliver for our constituents and the country’s Indian American communities,” said Rep. Jayapal, one of the most high-profile Indian Americans in Congress.

“I first came to the United States from India when I was 16 years old, by myself and with nothing in my pockets. My parents sacrificed so much to send me here, where they believed I would have the best opportunities. Now, I’m proud to be one of the six Indian Americans serving in Congress and the only Indian American woman to ever be elected to the House of Representatives,” Jayapal noted.

Rep. Khanna, the co-chair of the House Caucus for India and Indian Americans, noted that in his position, “I look forward to working with my colleagues in the 119th Congress to strengthen America’s defense and strategic partnership with India.”

He also said, “I’m proud to serve in this diverse Congress alongside a record number of Indian Americans and I’m excited to welcome Representative Suhas Subramanyam.”

“Eight years ago I was proud to coin the phrase ‘Samosa Caucus’ for our diverse and dedicated group of Indian American lawmakers in Congress,” said Rep. Krishnamoorthi. “Today, our historic Indian American representation continues to grow in Congress. I want to welcome Representative Subramanyam as the Samosa Caucus’s newest member, and look forward to working with him and my other Indian American colleagues to not only deliver for our constituents, but pave the way for future generations of Indian Americans who wish to serve in Congress too.”

Like other Indian Americans in Congress, Reps. Khanna and Krishnamoorthi are regularly interviewed on mainstream news channels for their views on subjects ranging from Silicon Valley business, technology and AI, to Chinese competitive and national security concerns, as well as job creation, vaping.

“When I first moved to this country from India, I arrived with just $20 in my pocket. Like so many immigrants before and after me, I came to America with a passion for hard work and a belief in our land of opportunity,” said Representative Thanedar, an entrepreneur from Michigan. “Today, I find myself in the United States Congress with a chance to promote the American Dream for people with stories like mine. Alongside our growing number of Indian-American lawmakers, I am excited about the prospect of supporting both the Indian-American community, my constituents in Michigan, and any other American who wants to chase their own American Dream.”

Congressman Subramanyam also noted his journey to Capitol in his statement. “This past Friday, my parents, who immigrated from India over 50 years ago, had the unique privilege of watching me be sworn in as the first Indian American to ever represent Virginia, and the entire East Coast, in Congress,” he said. “My story is one that could only happen in a place like America. I am humbled to represent the Commonwealth alongside my fellow Indian American colleagues in Congress from across the country. And while I may be the first from Virginia, I am confident that I will not be the last.”

The six lawmakers pride themselves on belonging to a community that has contributed much to the American fabric – from the cultural to the entrepreneurial.

“Indian Americans have made countless contributions to American society, including in tech, science, medicine, and the military. Indian Americans currently serve as the CEOs of major companies including Microsoft (Satya Nadella), Google (Sundar Pichai), Adobe (Shantanu Narayen), IMB (Arvind Krishna), and FedEx (Raj Subramaniam),” the press release from Rep. Bera’s office said.

Another Indian American lawmaker who made her mark was Senator Kamala Harris who was elected to the upper chamber in 2016. Senator Harris continued to make history in 2020 when she was elected as the first woman and first person of color in history to serve as Vice President of the United States of America.

Vice President Harris’ trailblazing path continued in 2024 as the first woman of color to be nominated by a major party for President of the United States.

She ran a formidable campaign in the short time frame available to her, before losing to former President Donald Trump, who returns to the White House later this month.

“Vice President Harris’ historic career has inspired Indian Americans across the country to step up and run for office at every level of government to ensure the community’s voice continues to be at the decision-making table,” the press release said.

The establishment of PACs dedicated to Indian American aspiring politicians, and the increasing number of candidates from the community running for public office up and own the ballot, it could be concluded that the group has come of its own. Not only that, politics is one more field among the diverse areas that members of this community have made their mark.