The appointment of four Indian-American Lawmakers to major US House Committees—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Pramila Jayapal, Ami Bera, and Ro Khanna—reflects the community’s expanding political clout in the country.
On Wednesday, Congressman Krishnamoorthi received the position of Ranking Member on the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Krishnamoorthi remarked, “I’m honored to be appointed by @RepJeffries as Ranking Member of the Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the U.S. and the CCP.”
I’m honored to be appointed by @RepJeffries as Ranking Member of the Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the U.S. and the CCP
Read my full statement here: https://t.co/fqnhTiNeII
— Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (@CongressmanRaja) February 1, 2023
This new committee was established in the 118th Congress by Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy with the particular aim of looking into and formulating legislation to confront the United States’ economic, technological, and security competitiveness with the CCP. Another Indian-American Congressman, Congressman Khanna, has also been appointed as a member of this committee.
Khanna stated, “It is an honor to be appointed to the Select Committee on the Strategic Rivalry between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party. I intend to use my committee position to draw attention to the trade gap we have with China and to address the threat China represents to Taiwan’s security.
US Representative Pramila Jayapal, an Indian-American, has been appointed Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement, making her the first immigrant to hold such a position.
In a press release, Jayapal stated, “I am honored and humbled to serve as the Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement. I am proud to be the first South Asian woman elected to the US House of Representatives and one of only two dozen naturalized citizens in Congress.
Jayapal is the first immigrant to hold either the position of chair or ranking member on a committee.
While Indian-American Congressman Ami Bera was appointed to the prestigious US House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence for the 118th Congress.
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), the National Security Agency (NSA), and military intelligence programs are all subject to oversight by the Intelligence Committee.
I’m honored to be appointed by @RepJeffries to serve on the House Intelligence Committee.
At a time of increased threats, both at home and abroad, I take seriously this new role and the responsibility entrusted to me to help keep American families safe.https://t.co/K9qjYf1lgy
— Ami Bera, M.D. (@RepBera) February 1, 2023
In the statement released with the appointment, Bera said, I’m honored to be appointed by @RepJeffries to serve on the House Intelligence Committee. At a time of increased threats, both at home and abroad, I take seriously this new role and the responsibility entrusted to me to help keep American families safe.”