119th US Congress: Six Indian Americans sworn in as members of U.S. House of Representatives
On January 3, 2025, a historic milestone was achieved as six Indian Americans were sworn in as members of the U.S. House of Representatives during the 119th Congress. This marks the largest representation of Indian Americans in Congress to date.
Six Indian Americans were officially sworn in as members of the U.S. House of Representatives on January 3, 2025, marking a historic milestone for the community. This is the largest representation of Indian Americans in Congress, surpassing previous records since Dalip Singh Saund was first elected in 1957.
The Newly Sworn-In Members
Suhas Subramanyam – Represents Virginia’s 10th District. He made history as the first Indian American to serve from Virginia and the East Coast. Subramanyam previously served in the Virginia General Assembly and has a background as a policy advisor to President Obama.
Ami Bera – Serving California’s 7th District, Bera is the senior-most Indian American in Congress, having been re-elected for his seventh consecutive term. He expressed excitement about the growing coalition of Indian Americans in Congress.
Ro Khanna – Represents California’s 17th District and has been a prominent progressive voice since his election in 2017. He has also been re-elected for a fifth consecutive term.
Raja Krishnamoorthi – Serving Illinois’s 8th District, Krishnamoorthi focuses on technology and national security issues and has also been re-elected for a fifth term.
Pramila Jayapal – Represents Washington’s 7th District and is notable for being the first Indian American woman elected to Congress. She has been re-elected for a fifth consecutive term as well.
Shri Thanedar – Represents Michigan’s 13th District and was re-elected for his second term after winning his first in 2023.
This event highlights the increasing political influence of Indian Americans in U.S. politics, with all six members belonging to the Democratic Party. They collectively form what is informally known as the “Samosa Caucus,” a term coined by Krishnamoorthi to symbolize their shared heritage and goals within Congress. Congressman Bera remarked on the growth from being the only Indian American member twelve years ago to now having six representatives, indicating a promising future for further representation.
The swearing-in ceremony is not just a celebration of individual achievements but also represents broader trends in diversity and inclusion within American politics, showcasing how immigrant communities are increasingly shaping legislative agendas at the national level.
The newly sworn-in members are:
Dr. Ami Bera (California’s 7th District)
Suhas Subramanyam (Virginia’s 10th District)
Shri Thanedar (Michigan’s 13th District)
Ro Khanna (California’s 17th District)
Raja Krishnamoorthi (Illinois’ 8th District)
Pramila Jayapal (Washington’s 7th District)
Suhas Subramanyam, who recently won his election, made history as the first Indian American and South Asian member from Virginia and the East Coast. His swearing-in was witnessed by his family, and he expressed pride in representing his district.
Dr. Ami Bera, the senior-most member of this group, celebrated the growth of representation from one to six Indian Americans since he first took office twelve years ago. He expressed excitement for future representation in Congress.
All six members are part of an informal group known as the “Samosa Caucus,” a term coined by Raja Krishnamoorthi to celebrate their shared heritage and goals within Congress.
This achievement reflects the increasing influence and participation of Indian Americans in U.S. politics, showcasing a significant shift from historical precedents where only a few individuals represented the community. The first Indian American elected to Congress was Dalip Singh Saund in 1957, followed by Bobby Jindal in 2005, marking slow but steady progress over decades.
The swearing-in ceremony coincided with Republican Mike Johnson being elected as Speaker of the House, despite all six Indian American lawmakers supporting House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries during the election.
