WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): Six Indian Americans have won the elections to the House of Representatives, increasing their number from five in the current Congress. Indian American lawyer Suhas Subramanyam created history by becoming the first from the community to be elected from Virginia and the entire East Coast.
Subramanyan defeated Mike Clancy of the Republican Party. He is currently a Virginia State Senator.
There is a possibility that the number of Indian Americans in the House of Representatives could increase to seven as Dr Amish Shah was leading by a slender margin against his Republican incumbent in the first Congressional District of Arizona.
“I am honored and humbled that the people of Virginia’s 10th District put their trust in me to take on the toughest fights and deliver results in Congress. This district is my home. I got married here, my wife Miranda and I are raising our daughters here, and the issues our community faces are personal to our family. It is an honor to continue serving this district in Washington,” Subramanyam said.
Subramanyam, who previously served as a White House Advisor to President Barack Obama, is a Hindu by faith and is popular among Indian Americans nationwide. He joins the ‘Samosa Caucus’ in the Congress that currently comprises five Indian Americans – Ami Bera, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ro Khanna, Pramila Jayapal and Shri Thanedar.
All the five existing Indian American members were re-elected to the House of Representatives.
Shri Thanedar was re-elected for the second consecutive term from the 13th Congressional District of Michigan. He won it for the first time in 2023.
Raja Krishnamoorthi won the seventh Congressional District of Illinois for the fifth consecutive term.
While the battles for control of the White House and Congress remain close, I am honored that the people of Illinois’ 8th District have extended my contract to represent them in Congress,” Krishnamoorthi said.
“My parents came to this country with little more than a dream for their family’s future and the faith that they could achieve it here in America,” Krishnamoorthi concluded.
“Despite some hard times, we did.”
“My mission in Congress is to fight for all the other families that are pursuing their dreams, no matter where they come from, how they worship, or the number of letters in their names… there are 29 in mine.”
So did Ro Khanna who represents the seventeenth Congressional District of California and Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, who represents the seventh Congressional District of Washington State.
A physician by profession, Dr Ami Bera is the senior-most Indian American Congressman representing the sixth Congressional District of California since 2013. He was re-elected for the seventh consecutive term.
(Source: PTI)
Tag: Ami Bera
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Six Indian Americans win elections of US House of Representatives
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Congressional Black Caucus lineup to oust Indian-American Congressman Thanedar
WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): In one of the rarest instances, the Congressional Black Caucus has lined up to oust one of the sitting lawmakers, Indian American Congressman Shri Thanedar, who is seeking his re-election from the 13th Congressional District of Michigan.
Black Caucus Chair Steven Horsford and his immediate predecessor Joyce Beatty in a significant political move announced to endorse Adam Hollier over Thanedar in the Democratic primary.
In the American political tradition, a sitting lawmaker is rarely opposed by their party leadership in the primary.
The 13th Congressional District of Michigan has a black majority, and this was the first time that it did not have a black representing them in the House of Representatives.
“From the U.S. Army to Governor Whitmer’s cabinet, Adam Hollier has spent his life serving his community and his country. I know he will continue that service as an effective representative and put people over politics. Adam is the kind of leader who understands the importance of protecting our freedoms, fighting for our rights, and ensuring opportunities for everyone,” Horsford said in a statement.
Hollier “is exactly the kind of leader we need standing with us in Congress,” said Beatty. “While some politicians would rather tweet than show up, Adam always steps up, shows up, and delivers results,” she said.
US media described it as an unusual development.
Thanedar is the first Indian American to represent Michigan in Congress. He defeated his Republican opponent by 47 percentage points in 2022 and in the process, he broke a 67-year streak of a Black Michigander representing Detroit.
In the first quarter, he raised USD5 million and garnered over 15 endorsements from influential elected officials and organizations. He has received endorsements from lawmakers Ami Bera, Judy Chu, Robert Garcia, Marcy Kaptur, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ted Lieu, Seth Magaziner, Brad Sherman, and Dina Titus. Human Rights Campaign, Laborers International Union of North America (LiUNA), National Education Association, Michigan Education Association, and Newtown Action Alliance have also endorsed him.
“Together, we will continue to fight for progress, equality, and opportunity for all residents of Michigan’s 13th,” he said in an earlier statement early this month. Thanedar said he remains committed to engaging with voters, listening to their concerns, and advocating for policies addressing the challenges of the community.
(Source: PTI) -
Indian-American incumbents Ami Bera and Ro Khanna secured their seats.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): Ami Bera, a Democrat, secured his seventh term by advancing to the general election Ro Khanna, seeking his fifth term, won decisively against Republican Anita Chen Ash Kalra, a Democrat, emerged as the top candidate in the 25th Assembly District. It was a day of victories and defeats for Indian American candidates in the recent Super Tuesday primaries. The biggest day of this year’s primary campaign in the US approached as 15 states — plus American Samoa — voted in contests. Veteran Indian-American Congressmen Ami Bera and Ro Khanna successfully defended their positions against challengers.
Ami Bera, a Democrat, secured his seventh term by advancing to the general election with 53.6% of the vote in California’s 6th Congressional District.
Meanwhile, Ro Khanna, seeking his fifth term, won decisively over Republican Anita Chen in the 17th Congressional District, according to American Bazaar.In contrast, Indian-American engineer Rishi Kumar, a Democrat, lost his bid to run for Congress.
With 50% of the vote counted, former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo was ahead with 22% of the vote, while Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian had nearly 18%. Both Liccardo and Simitian are Democrats. Kumar ended up in seventh place out of 11 candidates with 6.3% of the vote.
This came amid Indian-American Republican challenger to former president Donald Trump, Nikki Haley, dropping out of the presidential race.
Indian-American Republican Vin Kruttiventi advanced to the general election in Northern California’s 14th Congressional District, home to one of the largest populations of Indian-Americans in the nation, securing second place with 17.8% of the vote to incumbent Eric Swalwell with 64.5%, seeking his sixth term in the House of Representatives.
According to reports from the Federal Election Commission, Kruttiventi, the founder and CEO of A5 Services, has invested $500,000 of his personal funds into his campaign.
However, clinical psychologist Harmesh Kumar’s longshot bid for the vacant US Senate seat left by the late Senator Dianne Feinstein ended in disappointment.
Additionally, Ash Kalra, a Democrat, emerged as the top candidate in the 25th Assembly District and will face fellow Democrat Lan Ngo in the general election.
However, challenger Tara Sreekrishnan, a 30-year-old Indian-origin leader who has garnered significant endorsements for her bid, faced defeat in her race for California’s 26th district state Assembly seat.
In other races, Democrat Darshana Patel will compete against Republican Kristie Bruce-Lane for California’s 76th district state Assembly seat, which covers a portion of San Diego.
The most prominent of all the Indian-American candidates was Nikki Haley, the former governor of South Carolina. She conceded to Donald Trump after losing every state but one — Vermont — in Super Tuesday’s primary contests.
In January, Indian-American billionaire entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy suspended his bid after Trump won the Iowa caucus. He later pledged support for Trump’s presidential bid.
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India must address US concerns on murder plot against Gurpatwant Pannun, say 5 Indian-American US Lawmakers
White House gives classified briefing on alleged murder plot
- I.S. Saluja
WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): Indian-American lawmakers have expressed deep concern over an Indian being charged with an alleged plot to kill Khalistani Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, an American-Canadian citizen.
If the issue is not addressed appropriately, it could cause significant damage to the US-India partnership, they warned after a classified briefing by the Biden administration on Nikhil Gupta’s indictment.
Gupta was detained at the Prague airport in June in an action that came at the request of the US, the Czech government spokesman said on Friday, December 15. The US had submitted an extradition request two months later, they said. Friday’s classified briefings were attended by US Representatives Ami Bera, Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Shri Thanedar.
“We believe the US-India partnership has made meaningful impact on the lives of both of our people, but we are concerned that the actions outlined in the indictment could, if not appropriately addressed, cause significant damage to this very consequential partnership,” they said in a statement.
The US Congress members said the charges were deeply concerning and the safety of their constituents are their most important priority. They welcomed India’s move to form an enquiry committee but said it should assure the US that such incidents will not happen again.
“We welcome the Government of India’s announcement of a Committee of Enquiry to investigate the murder plot and it is critical that India fully investigate, hold those responsible, including Indian government officials, accountable, and provide assurances that this will not happen again,” they said.
Gupta, 52, moved the Supreme Court on Friday, December 15, via a family member and claimed multiple violations of fundamental rights, including threats to himself and his family, and requested the Indian government to intervene in his extradition to the US. The hearing has been adjourned till January 4.
He claimed he was intercepted by “American agents” on his arrival in Prague, then bundled into a black SUV and interrogated for three hours while being driven around the foreign city. He claimed he was “forced” to eat only pork and beef during his first few days in the prison.
Nikhil Gupta has been charged by US federal prosecutors with working with an Indian government employee in the foiled plot to kill Pannun, a designated terrorist in India.
In September, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had alleged the role of Indian agents in the June murder of another Khalistani terrorist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen. India had rejected the allegations as “motivated”. However, the murder plot of another Khalistani, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the US, and US administration’s tough stand on the issue, has lent credence to the claims of Canadian Prime Minister that Indian agents were responsible for Nijjar’s murder. More and more people as also governments across the world do not seem to buy India government’s denials of involvement.
(With inputs from agencies) -
Indian American congressmen Ami Bera, Ro Khanna and Mayor Aftab Pureval among 50 National Advisory Board members in Biden’s 2024 campaign
WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): Two Indian American Congressmen Ami Bera and Ro Khanna along with Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval are among the 50 members of the National Advisory Board announced by the Biden-Harris Campaign on Wednesday, May 10. Former House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi will serve as chairperson of the Advisory Board. The entire board will help the campaign’s efforts to build on and expand the winning coalition that sent President Biden to the White House in 2020, an official announcement said.
“The stakes of this election couldn’t be higher,” Biden said. “Our freedom and democracy are on the line. I’m grateful to this group of diverse and dynamic leaders who will help us win the battle for the soul of America and finish the job for the American people,” he said. Bera is the longest-serving Indian American in the US Congress and Khanna is co-chair of the Congressional India Caucus. Pureval is the first ever Indian American and Tibetan-American to be elected as Mayor of a city in Ohio.
According to the campaign, board members will participate in regular media interviews, assist with fundraising efforts and events, leverage their networks and platforms to amplify the campaign’s message to voters, and engage directly with voters through grassroots efforts and events in key battleground states.
This initial group represents a cross-section of leaders in the party who reflect the Biden coalition’s diversity across many facets, with more members likely to come on board as the campaign builds and grows, it said.
“Successful campaigns are always innovating and finding new ways to get their message in front of voters and accomplish the ambitious goals we set for ourselves,” said Biden-Harris spokesperson Kevin Munoz.
“The Democratic Party is fortunate to have an incredible slate of passionate and compelling leaders, all of whom are united behind the Biden-Harris 2024 campaign.
They are representative of the broad, diverse coalition of voters who came together in 2020 to deliver President Biden and Vice President Harris a historic victory, and we are so grateful for their dedication to helping this campaign prevail over the MAGA extremist agenda and help President Biden finish the job for the American people,” Munoz said.
(Source: PTI) -
Four Indian American lawmakers appointed members of key US House panels
WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): Four prominent Indian American lawmakers — Pramila Jayapal, Ami Bera, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Ro Khanna — have been appointed members of three key House panels, reflecting the growing influence of the community in US politics.
Congresswoman Jayapal has been named Ranking Member of the powerful House Judiciary Committee’s panel on Immigration, making her the first immigrant to serve in a leadership role for the subcommittee.
Jayapal, 57, representing the 7th Congressional District of Washington State succeeds Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren to serve on the Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement, a media release said.
“As the first South Asian woman elected to the US House of Representatives and one of only two dozen naturalized citizens in Congress, I am honored and humbled to serve as the Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement,” said Jayapal.
“I came to this country when I was 16, alone, and with nothing in my pockets. After 17 years on an alphabet soup of visas to become a US citizen, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to live the American Dream, a dream that is out of reach for too many immigrants today,” she said.
“It is extremely meaningful to me that I will now be in this position to better move the needle and re-center our broken immigration system around dignity, humanity, and justice. As I step into this role, I would also like to thank Representative Lofgren for her years of dedicated leadership on the Subcommittee, and look forward to continuing to work with her,” Jayapal said.
Bera, 57, has been appointed as a member of a powerful US House committee handling intelligence-related matters.
The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence is charged with providing oversight of the country’s intelligence activities, including the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), National Security Agency (NSA), as well as military intelligence programs.
“I am honored to be appointed by Leader (Hakeem) Jeffries to serve on the House Intelligence Committee, which plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and national security of the United States,” Bera said.
A six-time Congressman, Bera represents the sixth Congressional District of California.
“At a time of increased threats, both at home and abroad, I take seriously this new role and the responsibility entrusted to me to protect and defend American families,” he said.
“With my decade of experience working on critical national security issues, I look forward to working with Committee members from both sides of the aisle to ensure our intelligence agencies are operating effectively to keep our nation safe,” Bera said.
Bera also serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Science, Space and Technology Committee.
During the 117th Congress, Bera served as Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia, and Nonproliferation, where he spearheaded Congressional efforts to strengthen ties with Indo-Pacific allies and partners to advance the US economic and security interests.
Krishnamoorthi has been made Ranking Member of a newly created House committee on China that will investigate various aspects of Chinese behavior, its threat being posed to the US and the world.
US House of Representatives Minority Leader Jeffries on Wednesday announced the appointment of Krishnamoorthi as Ranking Member of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Another Indian American Congressman Ro Khanna has also been made a member of this new committee, formed in the 118th Congress by Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy for the specific purpose of investigating and developing policy to address the United States’ economic, technological and security competition with the Chinese Communist Party.
Krishnamoorthi, 49, is the four-term Congressman representing the eight Congressional districts of Illinois, while Khanna, 46, is the four-term lawmaker representing the 17th Congressional district of California.
“I am grateful to Leader Jeffries for appointing me to serve as Ranking Member on the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party,” said Krishnamoorthi.
“The Chinese Communist Party poses serious economic and security threats to the United States and to democracy and prosperity across the globe, illustrated by its threats against Taiwan’s democracy, its weaponization of TikTok, and its theft of hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of American intellectual property,” he said.
“I look forward to working with my colleagues in both parties on this committee to counteract the CCP’s escalating aggression and ensure that our nation is prepared to overcome the economic and security challenges that the CCP presents to our country,” Krishnamoorthi said.
He said it was important to protect the interests of the American people.
“That said, at a time when anti-Asian hate and violence are on the rise, it’s essential that this committee focuses its vital work on protecting all Americans from the threat posed by the CCP, while avoiding dangerous rhetoric that fuels the types of xenophobia that have endangered members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community,” Krishnamoorthi said.
Krishnamoorthi is also a senior member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. He is also the lead Democrat on Averting the National Threat of Internet Surveillance, Oppressive Censorship and Influence, and Algorithmic Learning by the Chinese Communist Party Act (ANTI-SOCIAL CCP Act), which protects Americans by blocking and prohibiting all transactions from any social media company in, or under the influence of, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and several other foreign adversaries.
In the 117th Congress, he led bipartisan legislation that was signed into law, called the Gathering and Reporting Assessments Yielding Zero Overlooked Nefarious Efforts (GRAY ZONE) Act, which requires the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to produce a National Intelligence Estimate on different aspects of grey zone activities — actions that fall between ordinary statecraft and open warfare — that the PRC employs.
Krishnamoorthi was also the lead Democrats on the bipartisan Transparency for Malign Chinese Investments in Global Port Infrastructure Act, which requires the DNI to study and report to Congress information related to Chinese global investments in port infrastructure.
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Indian American Congressman Ami Bera loses bid to lead Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): The longest-serving Indian American Congressman, Ami Bera has lost his bid to lead the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee with incoming House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries choosing Rep. Suzan DelBene for the job.
Bera had thrown his hat in the ring last month saying his “skills and experiences” made him “the best choice” to lead the DCCC, “at this pivotal moment as we seek to win in 2024 and deliver for the American people.” Bera and Tony Cárdenas, both California representatives, were in the race for DCCC chair, but party leaders ultimately decided they needed to elevate a woman to the role, media reported citing unnamed sources.
The House Democratic caucus adopted an amendment during a closed-door meeting last month that allows the leader to appoint the chair of the DCCC instead of the position being an elected one. The amendment was originally proposed by DelBene, as well as Reps. Brad Schneider of Illinois and Mark Pocan of Wisconsin.
DelBene’s appointment will need to be ratified by the full Democratic caucus.
DelBene, who was first elected to Congress in 2012, is the outgoing chair of the New Democrat Coalition, made up mostly of pro-business Democrats, including lawmakers representing swing districts, according to media. She succeeds New York Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, who lost reelection to his Lower Hudson Valley seat last month.
In a letter to his colleagues on Nov 14, Bera, who has represented California’s 7th Congressional District since 2013, claimed House Democrats defied history in the 2020 election.
“Not only did our frontliners win close races, but we flipped several Red to Blue seats and we broadened and strengthened our base through historic turnout from young voters.”
“As we head into 2024, the stakes could not be higher for the American people,” wrote Bera who was Frontline Chair for the DCCC, responsible for overseeing the efforts to reelect Democratic Members of Congress in competitive seats.
However, Bera’s candidacy also “came with some baggage” as his opponents resurfaced reports that his father had been sentenced in 2016 after prosecutors tracked “at least $260,000 in illegal contributions funneled through donors but secretly paid by the elder Bera through multiple bank accounts used to further cover his tracks,” according to media reports.
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Indian American Congressmen’s Efforts Lead Lawmakers to Condemn China’s Curbs on Hong Kong
WASHINGTON (TIP): Led by Indian American Congressman Ami Bera, a bipartisan group of influential lawmakers on Monday, March 8, expressed concern over changes sought to be imposed by Beijing on Hong Kong’s electoral system. “We are deeply concerned about the changes Beijing announced in Hong Kong’s electoral system. These revisions will only continue to advance Beijing’s ever-tightening grip on Hong Kongers’ autonomy, basic freedoms and fundamental human rights,” said a group of lawmakers from both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Indian American Congressman Ami Bera who is the chairman of the Asia Sub-Committee of Foreign Affairs Committee of the House led the effort.
He was joined by Ed Markey, the chairman of the East Asia Sub-Committee of the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Mitt Romney, Ranking Member of the East Asia Sub-Committee of the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee and Congressman Steve Chabot, Ranking Member of the Asia Sub-Committee on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Other lawmakers who joined Bera are Senator Jeff Merkley and Congressman James McGovern, co-chairs of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, and Senator Marco Rubio and Congressman Chris Smith, co-Ranking Members of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China.
The joint statement was issued in response to the Chinese government’s decision to schedule a March 11 vote in the National People’s Congress that would impose new restrictions on Hong Kong’s electoral system.
“With these planned actions, the Chinese Communist Party is doubling its attempts to impose an authoritarian system on Hong Kong,” the statement said.
“Beijing is once again violating its binding international commitments under the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration and its obligations under Hong Kong’s Basic Law,” it added.
“Contrary to recent Chinese government statements, true patriots are not ‘yes-men and -women’,” the statement said, adding “Beijing’s efforts to stamp out democratic opposition in Hong Kong only underscores its own insecurities”.
“Congress will continue to speak with one voice in support of freedom, democracy and justice for the people of Hong Kong. In the past two years, we passed legislation giving the executive branch significant new tools to support the people of Hong Kong as they defend their autonomy and basic freedoms,” the statement said.
“We urge the Biden Administration to use those tools, and to work with allies and partners to develop other mechanisms to support the people of Hong Kong,” the lawmakers said.
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Indian American Hiral Tipirneni loses House race from Arizona
ARIZONA (TIP): Indian American Democrat candidate Hiral Tipirneni has failed in her second bid to capture a House of Representatives seat from Arizona losing in a close contest to sitting Republican David Schweikert.
Tipirneni called her defeat a “heartbreaking loss” but conceded the race as Schweikert pulled ahead with a 52% to 48% vote. He will continue to represent Arizona’s 6th District that he first won in 2011.
Leading up to the election, many polls showed that the race was a toss-up between the two candidates. With Tipirneni’s defeat, “samosa caucus,” the Indian American members of the House call themselves will remain four strong. All the sitting members, Democrats Raja Krishnamoorthi, Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna and Ami Bera, have retained their seats. This marks the second time Tipirneni ran as a district representative in Arizona and lost to a Republican nominee. In 2018 Tipirneni was defeated by Republican Debbie Lesko for District 8 which covers suburban areas north and west of Phoenix including Peoria, Surprise, Sun City and New River.
“From the very beginning, this race was about fighting for the issues that impact Arizona families,” she stated after calling Schweikert to concede on Saturday.
“It was never about partisanship. It was about rooting out corruption and making the tax code more fair for middle-class Arizona families, small businesses, and retirees,” Tipirneni stated.
“I ran for Congress with one ultimate goal in mind: to ensure that every single American has access to quality, affordable healthcare…”
“Even today, after this heartbreaking loss, I stand by my decision to run wholeheartedly. And I’m proud to have joined the countless other women leaders nationwide who stepped up and demanded better,” she stated.
Tipirneni said, “We need more women in positions of power. We need more women in politics. Their empathic voices, their ability to problem-solve, and their diversity of backgrounds and experiences will change this country for the better. Run and run hard – this country needs you…”
“We have made an immense impact, make no mistake,” she stated hoping her constituents “use your voice, your passion, and your vote to create ‘the change you want to see in the world.’ I know I will.”
Tipirneni, who is an emergency room doctor, immigrated to the US at the age of three with her family.
Her campaign raised a record $5.4 million to Schweitkert’s r $2.1 million, according to Ballotpedia. In the Democratic primary, Tipirneni defeated journalist, Anita Malik to win the party nomination. Schweikert had been investigated by the House Ethics Committee on allegations that he misused official resources for re-election and violated campaign finance rules. He admitted to misconduct and paid a $50,000 fine, but that did not affect his reelection.
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Four Democratic Indian American Lawmakers of “Samosa Caucus” Re-Elected to US House of Representatives
WASHINGTON (TIP): In an impressive show, all the four Indian American Democratic lawmakers – Dr Ami Bera, Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna and Raja Krishnamoorthi – have been re-elected to the US House of Representatives.
The Indian American community has emerged as a force to reckon with for the first time in the history of the US presidential election. Both the Democrat and the Republican campaigns had initiated several measures to woo the approximately 1.8 million members of the community who have emerged as a critical voting bloc in the battleground states of Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Texas.The ‘Samosa caucus’ currently comprises five Indian American lawmakers, including the four members of the House of Representatives and Senator and Democratic vice-presidential nominee Kamala Harris, 56.
Raja Krishnamoorthi, 47, easily defeated Preston Nelson, 30, of the Libertarian Party. When last reports came in, he had accounted for nearly 71 per cent of the total votes counted.
Ro Khanna, 44, easily defeated fellow Indian-American Ritesh Tandon, 48, of the Republican Party with a margin of more than 50 percentage points. This was his third-consecutive win from the 17th Congressional district of California. Dr Ami Bera, 55, the senior most member of the ‘Samosa Caucus’, won the seventh Congressional District of California for the fifth consecutive term. When the last report came in, he had established an inaccessible lead by more than 25 percentage points against his Republican rival 65-year-old Buzz Patterson. The House of Representatives is the lower house of the US Congress, with the Senate being the upper house.
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Indian Americans make a splash in yet another election cycle
NEW YORK (TIP): Besides the four member ‘Samosa Caucus’ of Indian American lawmakers re-elected to the US House of Representatives, over a dozen others, including five women have won state level elections scoring a few firsts for the community.
Among the five women, Democrat lawyer Jenifer Rajkumar, 38, became the first South Asian woman elected to the New York state assembly defeating her Republican rival Giovanni Perna.
Rajkumar, a Stanford-educated lawyer and an immigrant rights advocate, is a professor at the City University of New York. She has previously served as the Director of Immigration Affairs and Special Counsel for New York state.
Democrat Kesha Ram, who served in the Vermont House of Representatives from 2009 to 2016, became the first woman of color elected to the Vermont State Senate.
Daughter of a Punjabi from India, she was one of the youngest ever to be elected to State Assembly at the age of 21.
Other three elected to state houses were immigration attorney Nima Kulkarni in Kentucky, Vandana Slatter, a pharmacist, and scientist, in Washington and Democrat Padma Kuppa in Michigan. Kuppa was the first Indian immigrant and Hindu in the Michigan Legislature.
“This year’s election represented a giant leap forward for the Indian Americans’ role in US politics,” says Neil Makhija, Executive Director of IMPACT.
The leading Indian American advocacy and political action committee had raised a $10 million war chest to get Democratic vice-presidential candidate Kamala Harris and other Indian origin candidates elected. “Indian American voters and candidates demonstrated the burgeoning power and influence of this important voting bloc in decisive fashion,” he said.
With a record number of Indian American candidates running for office across the nation, around two million Indian Americans voted in the 2020 election, according to the Center for American Progress.
Winners
US House:
The longest serving Indian American House member Ami Bera, 55, won his fifth consecutive term to the House from California. Son of immigrant parents from Gujarat, Bera is a physician by profession. New Delhi-born lawyer Krishnamoorthi, 47, defeated his Libertarian Party rival in Illinois to win a third term.
So did lawyer, academic Ro Khanna, 44, who defeated another Indian American challenger Ritesh Tandon of Republican Party in California.
Chenna-born civil rights activist Jayapal, 55, the first and the only Indian American woman in the House, also won a third consecutive term from Washington State.
States:
In Arizona, Democrat Amish Shah, a doctor who defeated incumbent Ken Clark in 2018 was reelected to the State House from District 24.
In California, Ash Kalra was re-elected to the California State Assembly for the third consecutive term.
In Michigan, Democrat Ranjeev Puri was elected to 21st House District with a promise to help fight for a better Michigan.
Also elected to Michigan state House 3rd District was Shri Thanedar, 65, millionaire businessman, scientist, who made an unsuccessful bid for governor two years ago,
In New York, Jeremy Cooney of Democratic Party, Working Families Party, was elected to the state senate from district 56.
Born in an Indian orphanage, Cooney was adopted by a single-mother and grew up in the South Wedge neighborhood of the City of Rochester.
Zohran Mamdani, son of filmmaker Mira Nair, won a New York State Assembly seat.
In North Carolina, Democrat attorney and professor Jay Chaudhuri, who in 2016 became the first Indian American state legislator, was re-elected from State Senate’s 15th District.
In Ohio, Republican Niraj Antani, 29, who in 2014 became the youngest member of the Ohio state house, has been elected as Ohio’s first Indian American state senator.
He was the first Indian American Republican to serve in the Ohio House and second to get elected from the community to the statehouse.
In Pennsylvania Democrat Nikil Saval, a writer and community organizer, was elected to District 1 of State Senate. He was the first Indian American elected to the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
In Texas, Ravi Sandill, who in November 2008 became the first judge of South Asian descent elected in Texas, was re-elected as District Judge in Harris County.
A number of Indian Americans also lost their races on Tuesday.
In Maine, state house speaker Sara Gideon, 48, lost the US senate race to incumbent veteran Republican Senator Susan Collins.
Gideon grew up in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, where her father was a pediatrician who emigrated from India and her Armenian American mother was a psychiatrist.
In New Jersey, Republican Rik Mehta, 42, a pharmaceutical entrepreneur and political newcomer, lost to popular Democrat senator Cory Booker, a former mayor of New Jersey’s largest city and onetime Democratic presidential aspirant.
In California, Republican Ritesh Tandon lost the US House race to fellow Indian American lawyer, academic Ro Khanna.
So did Nisha Sharma, another Republican, to sitting Democrat Mark DeSaulnier.
In Texas, former US diplomat Sri Preston Kulkarni, 42, lost to his Republican rival Troy Nehls in the state’s 22nd congressional district. He had narrowly lost the race in 2018, too.
In Arizona’s 6th congressional district, Democrat Hiral Tiperneni is trailing narrowly at 10:30 am EST.
In Virginia, Republican Manga Anantatmula failed to unseat Democrat Gerry Connolly.
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Indian American Committee IMPACT raises $10 million war chest for Indian American candidates
NEW YORK (TIP): IMPACT, the leading Indian American advocacy and political action committee, has raised a $10 million war chest to get Indian origin candidates including Kamala Harris, the first Indian American on a national ticket, and Joe Biden, elected. Raised in just three months, the funds will be spent to support turnout efforts in the Asian American and Indian American community and to elect IMPACT’s 2020 slate of candidates, as well as Indian American candidates running up and down ballots in states across the country.
Besides the Democratic presidential ticket of Biden and Harris, the slate includes six candidates for the US House and 16 candidates for Statewide and local offices: seven for State Senates, Five for State Houses and four others.
“IMPACT’s fundraising strength reflects trends we’re seeing across the country,” IMPACT Executive Director Neil Makhija, said Monday, October 19, announcing the organization’s groundbreaking effort.
“There’s a level of enthusiasm and excitement about this year’s election among Indian American voters that is palpable, and unrivaled in previous cycles,” he said.
“With an Indian American on the presidential ticket for the first time in history, and a record number of Indian American candidates running for office, Indian American voters are poised to exert a considerable amount of influence in this year’s election, and IMPACT will help mobilize and harness this emerging power.”
IMPACT said it will invest in the presidential, state-wide, and congressional races in battleground states across the country. Investments include committee contributions, paid advertising, targeted turnout operations, and infrastructure building.
This groundbreaking investment comes at a time when Indian Americans — the second largest immigrant group in the US — are beginning to flex their political muscle on the national political stage, it said.
In addition to an Indian American being a historic Democratic nominee for Vice President, the number of Indian Americans in Congress has grown five-fold in just the past eight years and the campaign arm charged with electing Democrats to Congress released its first-ever Hindi-language political ad earlier this year, it noted.
All of these developments have come less than 75 years since South Asians began emigrating to the US, and 55 years after the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, which ended discriminatory quotas and opened the doors to Asian immigrants, IMPACT said.
Besides four sitting members of US Congress — Ami Bera (California), Ro Khanna (California), Pramila Jayapal (Washington), Raja Krishnamoorthi (Illinois) — Impact is backing two more, Sri Kulkarni (Texas), and Hiral Tipirneni (Arizona) for the US House.
Seven State Senate candidates backed by IMPACT are: Sara Gideon (Maine), Jay Chaudhuri (North Carolina), Jeremy Cooney (New York), Kevin Thomas (New York), Rupande Mehta (New Jersey), Kesha Ram (Vermont), and Nikil Saval (Pennsylvania).
Five candidates for State Houses are: Nima Kulkarni (Kentucky) Padma Kuppa (Michigan), Jennifer Rajkumar (New York), Amish Shah (Arizona), and Vandana Slatter (Washington).
Impact is also backing Nina Ahmad (Pennsylvania Auditor General), Ronnie Chatterji (North Carolina Treasurer), Pavan Parikh (Ohio Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas) and Ravi Sandill (Texas District Judge). -
Bera Amendment passed in House to Counter Proliferation of Biological Weapons and Diseases
WASHINGTON (TIP): An amendment introduced by Indian American Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA), which increases funding to help partner nations prevent the proliferation of biological weapons, and detect and respond to deadly diseases, passed June 18 in the House of Representatives with strong bipartisan support (381-46). The amendment would restore a $15 million cut to the Cooperative Biological Engagement Program and adds an additional $5 million funding to this vital program.
“Recent news of Ebola spreading from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Uganda is a reminder of how easy it is for deadly diseases to spread quickly,” said Rep. Bera, M.D. “This amendment strengthens the ability of partner countries to detect and respond to the spread of dangerous diseases before they become a threat to the United States.”
The amendment was included in the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Defense, State, Foreign Operations, and Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, which passed the House.
As a doctor, Congressman Bera has always been a strong supporter of American leadership in global health. In March 2019, Rep. Bera led a bipartisan letter urging Congress to sustain global health security funding. In May 2018, Rep. Bera successfully urged the Administration to halt short-sighted Ebola funding cuts. He also led efforts by the Foreign Affairs Committee to address the global Zika epidemic and has pushed Congress to do more to stop future outbreaks.
Rep. Bera is Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee.
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Unprecedented congratulatory messages pour in for Modi from over 50 US leaders
WASHINGTON (TIP): In a testimony to the strength of India-US relations, unprecedented congratulatory messages have been received from over 50 US leaders in every domain, including the Administration, Congress, business, academia/think tanks on the historic electoral victory of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
ADMINISTRATION
President Donald Trump
- Just spoke to Prime Minister @NarendraModiwhere I congratulated him on his big political victory. He is a great man and leader for the people of India -they are lucky to have him!
Vice President Mike Pence
- Congrats to an American ally & friend PM @narendramodi, on his party’s win in India’s parliamentary election. This was a strong display of the Indian people’s commitment to democracy! We look forward to continuing to work with India for a freer, safer, & more prosperous region.
Secretary Mike Pompeo
- Congratulations to @narendramodi and the NDA for their victory in India’s election, and to the Indian people for casting their votes in such historic numbers. As the world’s largest exercise in democracy, #India’s election is an inspiration around the world.
Ivanka Trump, Advisor to the President
- Congratulations @narendramodi on a great victory! Exciting times ahead for the wonderful people of India!
Governor Phil Murphy (New Jersey)
- Congrats to Prime Minister @narendramodi and the NDA on your historic election! New Jersey has a vibrant Indian American population and deep ties to the world’s largest democracy –we look forward to strengthening our relationship in the years ahead.
Governor Greg Abbott (Texas)
- Prime MinisterModi, Congratulations on your election win. I view it as a very important to the future of India. Texas looks forward to continuing to work with you as we advance the economies of India and Texas
CONGRESS
Senator Chris Coons (D-DE)
- Congratulations to the new government and the people of India for concluding the world’s largest democratic election in which 600 million votes were cast for the country’s leadership.·I look forward to continuing my work to strengthen and deepen ties between the United States and India, two of the world’s great democracies, in the years ahead.
Senator Mark Warner (D-VA)
- As co-chair of the Senate India Caucus, I want to congratulate the Indian people on today’s historic election —the largest democratic election in history. I look forward to continuing our work with PM Modi’s administration to strengthen our important alliance with India.
Senator Kevin Thomas
- Congratulations to @narendramodi on his win in the Indian elections today. India and the U.S. share a great relationship and looking forward to continuing cooperation going forward.
Senator John Cornyn
- Congratulations @narendramodi on your historic victory. Looking forward to seeing you soon
enator Dan Sullivan
- I want to congratulate @PMOIndia@narendramodion achieving a commanding victory in his reelection bid today. Modi, a steadfast friend of America and free people everywhere, has clearly earned a strong and lasting confidence among the people of India.
Congressman Ted Yoho (R-FL)
- The world’s largest democracy and one of our strongest partners in the Indo-Pacific has chosen their leadership in free and fair elections. Congratulations to @BJP4India and @narenbramodi on your historic re-election.
Congressman Jim Banks (R-IN)
- Congratulations to @narendramodi and his party for their landslide victory in India’s election. The relationship between India and the United States has never been stronger!
Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-NY)
- Congratulations to @narendramodi on his re-election! The India-U.S. relationship is based upon shared values. This alliance will be very important overthe next 50 years & I am looking forward to continuing our work with PM Modi & Indian government to strengthen our alliance.
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi
- Congratulations to Prime Minister @narendramodi on his re-election —it was truly an inspiration to see so many Indians exercise their democratic rights, and I look forward to working with PM Modi and the Indian government to strengthen the US-India partnership.
Congressman Steny Hoyer
- Congratulations @NarendraModi on winning re-election this week. I look forward to strengthening the important U.S.-India partnership.
Congressman Ami Bera
- Great job to the people of #India on their historic election. Never before have so many voted in a single democratic election. Congratulations to PM Modi for his win and I look forward to working with his government to strengthen the ties between our two great nations.
Congressman Ro Khanna
- One lesson from Modi’s win is that dynastic, establishment candidates are weak. Democrats need to make sure that our candidate against Trump can connect with people’s frustration and offer a positive vision for change.
Asm. Raj Mukherjee, Assembly Majority Whip, NJ Legislature
- Congrats to @narendramodi on a decisive reelection and to the Indian people on the largest display of participation in democracy in the history of the world. Looking forward to furthering the strong bilateral ties between our two great democracies. @IndiainNewYork
THINK TANKS/ ACADEMICS
Ambassador Nikki Haley , Stand for America
- India continues to have amazing potential and is a strong US partner. Congratulations to @narendramodi on your success with the elections and the direction you are taking India. We look forward to seeing our partnership continue to strengthen
Ambassador Nicholas Burns, Professor, Harvard Kennedy School
- A major victory for PM Modi and the BJP in #India. The Trump Administration now has an opportunity to expand our military and economic partnership with Delhi, particularly to limit China’s ambitions in the Indo-Pacific.
Renu Khator, President of University of Houston ·Congratulations to Prime Minister Modi on his decisive victory in election…1.3 billion people have chosen their leader to continue to shape India’s future at home and abroad!
BUSINESS
Bill Gates, Microsoft
- Congratulations @NarendraModi on a remarkable win in #IndianElections2019. Your continued commitment to improve health, nutrition, and development will significantly improve lives of many.
IBM CEO Ginni Rometty
- IBM congratulates Prime Minister Modi on his reelection, and I look forward to continuing to work with him on issues that are critical to India and its people -from skills to emerging technologies like AI.
Ajay Banga, President & CEO, Mastercard
- Congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on this historic win with this decisive mandate from the world’s largest democracy, he will propel the country further on all fronts. We are proud of our long-standing commitment to India and its citizens. And, we are excited to expand our investments and local partnerships in the country to deliver on the Digital India vision and help power it’s continued economic growth.
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Indian American Congressman Ami Bera welcomes annulment of Health Care Repeal Bill
WASHINGTON (TIP): After the House majority cancelled a vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act, popularly known as ObamaCare, Indian American Congressman Ami Bera welcomed the move noting that ‘Affordable Care Act Repeal Bill would have Kicked 100,000 in Sacramento County off Health Care.’
“This bill would have kicked millions of hardworking Americans off their health care, raised the cost of coverage for families, and imposed an age tax on our parents and grandparents. I hope that after cancelling this vote, the Speaker and the majority will hear loud and clear that playing politics with peoples’ health care is not going to work. Now is the time for Democrats and Republicans to come together, because the job isn’t over until every American has affordable and accessible healthcare. Real lives are at stake here and I’m ready to get to work”, said Berawhois one of just two Democratic doctors in Congress, and practiced internal medicine, taught at the UC Davis School of medicine, and served Sacramento County as Chief Medical Officer before being elected to Congress.
It’s estimated that more than 100,000 hardworking Americans in Sacramento County would have lost their health care under the proposed legislation.
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Don’t use hateful language: Indian American Congressman to Trump
Worried about frequent hate crimes against Indian-origin people in the US, a senior Indian-American Congressman has urged President Donald Trump to refrain from using Islamophobic language that pits one group against another.
“We’re certainly hearing that there’s some anxiety,” Indian-American Congressman Ami Bera, a three-term Democratic lawmaker from California told PTI.
Now increasingly playing the role of mentorship to other aspiring Indian-American politicians and other elected leaders, Bera said it is important for community to speak out against such hate crimes.
“It’s not reflective of who I believe we are as a country, we’re a nation of immigrants and I think the majority of Americans understand we’re a nation of immigrants,” he said.
He is the senior most Indian-American lawmaker in the US House of Representatives which now has three other members from the community Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Pramila Jayapal.
Bera, 52, said he would like President Trump to speak out more forcefully against these hate crimes.
“In fact, some of the hateful language that he used on the campaign trail I think has actually allowed some of the groups (involved in hate crimes) to come out of the shadows,” he said.
“You’ve seen some of the high profile crimes, like what happened in Kansas, what happened in Washington State and South Carolina … Again, that’s not the country that I believe we are as America,” said Bera. Though the number might not be that big, but the community is now a vibrant part in the US, he said.
“It’s the most affluent demographic in America. Many of the start-ups and the innovations that are occurring in America are coming out of the Indian-American community.”
“Go to any State across this country, you have Indian American doctors, entrepreneurs, engineers working in fully integrated into the community. So, we are a part of the fabric of America. I think it’s important for the community to come together and let America know that this is not okay. It’s not who the US is,” he asserted.
Urging Trump to stop tweeting, Bera said he would tell the US President to not use language that pits one group against another.
“Certainly, he has used some Islamophobic language. The travel ban is the wrong direction because I think it’s targeting the specific group of individuals,” he said, adding that he is also worried a bit about America’s reputation taking a hit across the world.
“I think it’s important for people like myself to speak out and make sure people around the world and places in India understand we’ve not changed what our values are, the people of America haven’t changed.”
“Many of us believe the strength of America is this integration of different cultures, different religions, people coming together. That’s unique in the world and that’s something which has always made America a special place,” he said.
(Source: PTI)
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Tulsi Gabbard elected co-chair of Congressional Caucus on India
WASHINGTON (TIP): Tulsi Gabbard, the first Hindu lawmaker in the US Congress, has been elected the co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans. She succeeds her Democratic congressional colleague Indian-American Dr Ami Bera.
Tulsi was elected in 2012 to the United States House of Representatives, serving Hawaii’s 2nd District. She is one of the first two female combat veterans to ever serve in the U.S. Congress, and its first and only Hindu member.
An advocate for environmental policy, Tulsi was elected to the Hawai ‘i State Legislature in 2002 when she was just 21 years old, becoming the youngest person ever elected in the state. A year later, she joined the Hawai’i Army National Guard to serve Hawai’i and our country. In 2004, Tulsi volunteered to deploy with her fellow soldiers, becoming the first state official to voluntarily step down from public office to serve in a war zone.
Tulsi served in the U.S. Senate as a legislative aide to Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI), where she advised him on energy independence, homeland security, the environment, and veteran issues. Tulsi serves on the House Armed Services Committee and House Foreign Affairs Committee where she is a strong advocate for veterans.
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Indian American Congressman Ami Bera named ranking member of House space subcommittee
WASHINGTON (TIP): House Democrats have named Rep. Ami Bera (D-Calif.) as the new ranking member of the space subcommittee as they finalized the roster of members who will serve on that subcommittee.
Bera, entering his third term in the House, succeeds Donna Edwards, a Maryland Democrat who previous served as the top Democrat on the subcommittee. Edwards chose not to run for reelection to the House in 2016, unsuccessfully running for the Senate instead.
“As a kid who grew up during the height of the space race dreaming of what lay beyond us, it’s an honor to be selected to serve as the ranking member for the subcommittee on space,” Bera, 51, said in a Feb. 14 statement about his selection as subcommittee ranking member. His district, which covers part of the Sacramento area, includes a major Aerojet Rocketdyne facility.
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AS MANY AS 27 US LAWMAKERS TO VISIT INDIA
As many as 27 US lawmakers will be visiting India this month in what Indian Ambassador Navtej Sarna regards as “a very important milestone” that is demonstrative of the high degree of American interest in India and the strong bipartisan support for the India-US relationship.
Ambassador of India Navtej Sarna, who hosted a Congressional reception on Tuesday, Feb 14, to celebrate India’s engagement with the 115th US Congress, expressed the hope that the growing engagement would lead to a “more robust economic and commercial cooperation as India retains its spot as the fastest growing major economy”.
The US lawmakers will be travelling as members of two different delegations. One, sponsored by the Aspen Institute, will bring 19 lawmakers of both Republican and Democratic parties from February 20 to 25, with stops in New Delhi and Hyderabad, during which wide-ranging discussions will be held with government officials, politicians, think tanks and non-governmental organisations.
The second one will be a bipartisan Congressional delegation, led by Republican lawmaker Bob Goodlatte, who heads the House Judiciary Committee. This team, which also includes George Holding, the Republican co-chair of the India Caucus, will be visiting New Delhi and Bangalore from February 20 to 23.
House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer made a strong pitch for enhanced cooperation on security issues between the two big democracies, while Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, Chairman of House Foreign Affairs Sub-committee on Europe, Eurasia and Emerging Threats emphasized the importance of US-India cooperation in addressing the threat arising from extremist radical terrorism. He also spoke of the potential of US companies contributing in the economic transformation of India.
Congressman Pete Olson spoke glowingly of the positive contributions of the Indian-American community in the way of life of Texans. He emphasized the significance of the port of Houston for energy exports.
Indian-American Congressman Ami Bera, Democratic Chair of the House India Caucus said that the increase in number of elected Indian-Americans currently in Congress is a testimony to the remarkable strides that the Indian-American community has made and the growing closeness between the two countries that is based on shared values. He noted that the India Caucus is the largest one on the Hill and his firm belief that the US-India relationship will be a defining one for the 21st century.
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Indian-American lawmakers slam RHC
Indian-American lawmakers have slammed the US-based Republican Hindu Coalition for supporting President Donald Trump’s executive order on immigration, which they alleged takes the country backwards “towards dark times”.
“As the most senior Indian-American member of Congress, I believe that Donald Trump’s executive order does not reflect who we are as Americans,” Ami Bera, a three-time Congressman, said.
“The actions of the Republican Hindu Coalition (RHC) on Wednesday do not reflect the breadth and diversity of the Indian-American community, or our diaspora,” he said in a rare criticism of an Indian-American organization related to the Republican Party.
Bera, along with three other Indian-American lawmakers, vented out his anger against the Coalition. The Coalition has supported Trump’s executive order on immigration and refugees.
“We applaud the Trump administration for taking this decisive move to protect our citizens from Islamic terror,” its chairman Shalabh Kumar said on Tuesday.
The executive order signed on Friday, indefinitely barred Syrian refugees from entering the US, and blocked citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries – Iran, Iraq, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen – for 90 days.
Bera said it was very difficult for people of Indian origin to immigrate to the US before 1965, “and this order takes us backwards towards that dark time.”
Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal said the Coalition does not represent them. “As Indian-Americans, we believe deeply in pluralism, in freedom of religion, in freedom of speech and in a democratic diverse society.”
“To them, I would say, shame. Shame for trying to divide the Indian-American community.
As a Hindu, I can tell you that this group does not represent the much larger Indian- American community that honor our birth countries commitment to religious freedom and democracy,” Jayapal said asserting that Indian-Americans “will not be bullied” by this president.
“I call on our communities to condemn and resist these executive orders,” Jayapal said. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi termed the executive order an assault on Constitution which “only serves to divide Americans, not unify them.
It is no longer time to agonies but to organize. It is time to do everything we can to oppose this executive order,” he said.
Congressman Ro Khanna said, “We cannot allow policies to exist that are not consistent with our founding ideals and values. I swore in on the Constitution, and will always stand up for Constitutional principles.”
Former Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Desai Biswal said, “This executive order does not make us safer; it imposes the most severe of burdens on the most vulnerable among us.
It goes against our responsibilities from the Geneva Conventions and poses an unjust, un-American and what we believe to be an unconstitutional ban on immigrants and refugees,” Biswal said.
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End Discriminatory Policy Against Sikh Basketball Players, Say US lawmakers
A bipartisan group of more than 40 US lawmakers have appealed to the International Basketball Federation to end an “outdated and discriminatory” policy against Sikh players over turbans.
“Sikhs participate in a wide variety of sports around the globe, and there has never been a single instance of someone being harmed or injured by a turban, or of a turban interfering with the sport,” Congressmen said in a letter to Horacio Muratori, President of the Federation Internationale de Basketball (FIBA) or International Basketball Federation.
Led by Congressman Joe Crowley, who is Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus, and Ami Bera, the only Indian-American Member of Congress, Tuesday’s letter signed by over 40 lawmakers comes ahead of the expected decision by the international body.
“Every day that FIBA has delayed this decision is another day that Sikhs can’t play,” said Mr Crowley and Mr Bera in a joint statement.
“This is a policy that can only be described as outdated, discriminatory, and totally inconsistent with the ideals of team sports, and it is long past time it change. That’s why we have continued to push for action, including with this latest letter, and we thank all those who have raised their voices with us. Our message to FIBA is simple: let them play!”.
FIBA’s discriminatory policy came to light in 2014 when two Sikh players who were told by referees that they must remove their turbans if they were to play in FIBA’s Asia Cup.
The players, who have always played in turbans, were told that they were in violation of one of FIBA’s official rules, which states, “players shall not wear equipment (objects) that may cause injury to other players”.
However, there is no evidence that a Sikh turban poses a threat to cause injury, and other sports leagues, such as Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), allow athletes wearing turbans to participate, the lawmakers argued.
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Ami Bera’s Father Admits Illegal Campaign Contributions
Indian-American Sacramento-area based Congressman Ami Bera’s 83-year-old father has pleaded guilty to making illegal campaign contributionso his son’s campaigns in 2010 and 2012..
Babulal Bera, who could be jailed for up to 30 months, pleaded guilty in Sacramento before US District Judge Troy Nunley in the Eastern District of California.
The elder Bera pleaded guilty Tuesday to funneling $225,326 to back his son’s political aspirations in 2009 and an additional $43,000 in 2011. In both election cycles, Bera’s parents had already made their own contributions of $2,400 and $2,500, the maximum allowed under the law.
He admitted that in 2010 and 2012, he made the maximum allowable individual contributions to his son’s congressional campaigns in two of California’s districts during these years.
Mr Babulal said that he solicited friends, family members and acquaintances to make contributions, which he then reimbursed with his own funds to make campaign contributions in excess of the contribution limits established by federal law.
The government has identified over 130 improper campaign contributions involving approximately 90 contributors in the two elections. So far, the government has identified over USD 220,000 in reimbursed contributions relating to the 2010 campaign and over USD 40,000 in reimbursed contributions relating to the 2012 campaign.
Ami Bera is the only Indian-American lawmaker in the current Congress and is currently facing a tough re-election campaign against Sacramento Sheriff Scott Jones to keep his seat in the state’s 7th congressional district.
A report in the Los Angeles Times said quoted the lawmaker as saying that he was incredibly saddened and disappointed in learning what his father did. He said that neither he nor any campaign aides were aware of the activities until being contacted by federal prosecutors.
“While I deeply love my father, it’s clear that he has made a grave mistake that will have real consequences for him,” Ami said in the statement.
He said since he first learned about the investigation from authorities, his team and he have cooperated fully with the US Attorney’s Office.
The report also quoted Acting US Attorney Phillip Talbert as saying in a news conference that “Congressman Bera and his campaign staff have been fully cooperative in this investigation” and so far there is no indication “from what we’ve learned in the investigation that either the congressman or his campaign staff knew of, or participated in, the reimbursements of contributions.
Mr Babulal had immigrated to the US from Rajkot, Gujarat in 1958.
A resident of California’s La Palma, Mr Babulal is scheduled to be sentenced by Nunley on August 4.
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Indian-American Kumar Barve Loses Democratic Primary Elections
MARYLAND (TIP): An Indian-American Democratic legislator in Maryland has suffered a humiliating defeat in the party’s primary election for a seat in the US House of Representatives.
Kumar Barve, 57, who was the House Majority Leader from 2003-2014 and now Chairman of Maryland House Environment and Transportation Committee, received just two per cent of the total votes polled in a nine-person Democratic primary race for a seat in the US House of Representatives last night.
The primary election was won by Jamie Raskin who received 33 per cent of the votes.
He was followed by David Trone with 28 per cent of the votes.
In 1990, Mr. Barve made history at the age of 32, when he was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates and became the first Indian-American ever to serve in a state legislator.
If elected, he would have been the fourth Indian-American to be elected to the US House of Representatives. Ami Bera from California is the only Indian-American in the current Congress.
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Ami Bera wins California Democratic Party endorsements
WASHINGTON DC (TIP): Indian American Rep. Ami Bera, D-Sacramento received endorsements from the California Democratic Party Feb. 27, during the state convention.
Bera won his endorsement, gaining nearly 90 percent of the vote. Fifty people voted for the sole Indian American in Congress, while six voted against him.
Bera – who is seeking his third term in office – is running unopposed in the primary election June 7. He will face Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones – a Republican – in the general election Nov. 8.
Bera has been opposed by some labor organizations for his vote last year supporting the Trade Promotion Authority bill in the House, which allows the president to “fast-track” trade treaties with certain countries, without Congressional oversight.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, told party delegates before the endorsement vote was taken that Bera’s position on TPA was different from her position, but that his vote on the issue should not be the sole basis for his re-election.
“He is a valued member of the Congress. He has a great base of support at the grassroots level and I think he will win,” said Pelosi.
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Kamala Harris likely to become 1st PIO senator in US
LOS ANGELES (TIP): California’s attorney general Kamala Harris may become the first Indian-American senator in the US Congress after she won Democratic Party’s endorsement for the seat. Harris (51) and Loretta Sanchez were vying for their party’s seal of approval to replace California Senator Barbara Boxer, who is retiring. The attorney general won 78% of delegates’ votes on Saturday, surpassing the 60%endorsement threshold.
The endorsement of Democrats could bring significant financial backing in addition to credibility. The show of approbation allows the party to spend on her behalf in traditional ways such as mailers, phone-banking and precinct walks and provides Harris the right to use its desired seal of approval in the campaign. Both Harris and Sanchez will compete in the June primary along with Republicans Duf Sundheim and Tom Del Beccaro. The top two vote-getters will then square off in November. There have been several Indian-American Congressmen in the House of Representatives, including Ami Bera and retired member Dalip Singh Saund.
(PTI)