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California Congressman Ami Bera has been named the new Democratic co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, the largest country caucus on Capitol Hill and possibly the most bipartisan.
Current Co-chairs Congressman Joseph Crowley, D-New York, and Congressman Peter Roskam, R-Illinois, announced Dec. 11 that Congressman Bera and Rep. George Holding, R-N.C. will serve as the new co-chairs of the Caucus during the 114th Congress. The Indian Caucus currently has around 180 members.
Bera, who is now in his second term in Congress, is the only Indian-American currently on Capitol Hill. Crowley praised him as an accomplished physician as well as “a staunch advocate for his constituents,” as well as “a go-to member when it comes to working constructively in Congress.”
Holding is a former U.S. Attorney and currently serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Judiciary Committee.
In 2013, he was chosen to lead a Congressional delegation to India. In the 114th Congress, Rep. Holding looks forward to strengthening U.S.-India relations as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, a release from the Bera’s office said.
Roskam praised Holding saying as the new Republican co-chair he would focus on growing the relationship between the two democracies, emphasize shared interests ranging from global security to trade and international prosperity. Bera said he was honored to have been voted co-chair at this critical time in the partnership and looked forward to further building the economic and strategic relationship between the two countries and to advocate for the Indian-American community.
“With a shifting geopolitical situation in Asia, unwavering cooperation between the U.S. and India is essential to promoting peace and stability,” Holding is quoted saying.
The India Caucus was formed in 1993 and has a record of supporting initiatives relating to India and taking up issues of concern to Indian-Americans. Over the last 2 years, as co-chair of the Caucus, Crowley championed the cause of hate crimes against Sikhs, and began the annual Congressional Diwali event.
