Indian American lawmaker vows to deliver progressive policies to bring humanity to US immigration system.
Indian American House member Pramila Jayapal has vowed to deliver progressive policies that bring real relief to families, advance racial justice and tackle inequality after being elected Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC).
Chennai-born Jayapal, 55, is the first Indian-American woman to serve in the US House of Representatives as also the first Asian American to represent the State of Washington at the federal level.
Ro Khanna, 44, another Indian-American member from California, was elected as one of the four Deputy Whips of the caucus, which is expected to play a major role in the incoming Joe Biden- Kamala Harris administration.
“It’s time for Congress to act boldly, restoring power to where it belongs — with the people,” she stated after her being chosen to lead what was described as “the growing progressive movement across America.”
“As a lifelong organizer, I am honored that my colleagues have elected me to lead the Congressional Progressive Caucus at this pivotal moment,” said Jayapal, who earlier served as the caucus’ Co-Chair.
“We have massive crises knocking at our nation’s door, and the work of the Progressive Caucus has never been more important. The American people need Congress to lead with vision, conviction, empathy and dedication to people and families in every community who are struggling right now,” she said.
Jayapal expressed confidence that “with this talented leadership team and the expertise and passion of our entire caucus, we can deliver progressive policies that bring real relief to families, advance racial justice, tackle poverty and inequality of any kind.”
She also spoke of advancing policies to “strengthen worker power, advance climate justice, break up monopolies, bring humanity to our immigration system and help transform this country so working people finally get ahead.”
The newly elected CPC Executive Board is also representative of the diversity within the caucus — more than half of Executive Board members are people of color and more than half are women, a media release said.
The CPC is currently made up of nearly 100 members who champion progressive ideals in Congress and throughout the country, it said. Since 1991, the CPC has advocated for progressive policies that prioritize working Americans over corporate interests, fight economic and social inequality and advance civil liberties.
The CPC, the release said, leads on progressive policy solutions like comprehensive immigration reform, Medicare for All, good-paying jobs, fair trade, debt-free college, bold climate action, racial justice and a just foreign policy.
READ MORE:
Pramila Jayapal vows to fight back Trump challenge to verdict (November 10, 2020)
Kamala Harris, Pramila Jayapal, 100 lawmakers seek reversal of new ICE rule (July 10, 2020)