Historic Milestone: Six Indian Americans Sworn into U.S. House of Representatives

In a historic moment for the Indian American community, six leaders were sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives on January 3, 2025, the largest number to date. Congressman Dr. Ami Bera, who has served for 12 years, celebrated the milestone, recalling his journey as the sole Indian American in Congress in 2012.

The six representatives, all Democrats, include Dr. Ami Bera (California-7th), Ro Khanna (California-17th), Raja Krishnamoorthi (Illinois-8th), Pramila Jayapal (Washington-7th), Shri Thanedar (Michigan-13th), and newcomer Suhash Subramanian (Virginia-10th). Collectively, they form the informal “Samosa Caucus,” coined by Mr. Krishnamoorthi.

Prominent figures among them, such as Ms. Jayapal, lead a progressive lawmakers' group, while Mr. Khanna is viewed as a potential future presidential candidate. Mr. Krishnamoorthi holds significant roles, including being a Ranking Member of the China Committee and a member of the House Intelligence Committee.

Indian Americans’ journey in U.S. politics began with Dalip Singh Saund in 1957, followed by Bobby Jindal in 2005, who later became Louisiana’s Governor. This year’s milestone is a testament to the growing influence of the Indian American community, despite challenges faced by candidates like Sushila Jaipal, Bhavani Patel, and Krystal Kaul, who lost in recent elections.

With growing representation, the Indian American community continues to strengthen its presence in U.S. politics.