Record number of AAPI members will be in 116th Congress

AAPI Congressional members assumed leadership positions in the House and in the Democratic Party, from left: Representatives Ted Lieu, Stephanie Murphy, Pramila Jayapal,   Raja Krishnamoorthi and Mark Takano.

THE 116th CONGRESS will bring tremendous milestones for the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, including a record number of AAPI members of Congress and the inclusion of an Asian American member in House leadership. 

Earlier today, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) member, Rep Ted Lieu, D-CA., was elected to House Leadership as a Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC) Co-Chair. In this role, Lieu will help guide messaging strategy for the entire House Democratic Caucus and will be the only AAPI member in House Leadership. 

The new Congress will also bring three new AAPI members to the U.S. House of Representatives, including Representative-Elects Andy Kim, D-NJ, Michael San Nicolas, D-Guam, and T.J. Cox, D-CA.  It will bring the number of AAPI lawmakers in Congress to a record-setting 20. The CAPAC is made up of members of both Houses of Congress.

“Since its founding in 1994, CAPAC has always strived to ensure that diverse voices are represented in the halls of Congress, and we are thrilled that the American people voted overwhelmingly to elect candidates who better reflect the diversity of our nation," said CAPAC chair Judy Chu (CA-27) in a statement.

Earlier in the day, House Democrats picked Congressman Ted Lieu as a Democratic Policy and Communications Committee co-chair. 

"Starting in January, the majority House Democratic Caucus will endeavor to stop any harmful policies of the Trump Administration and Republicans; work on a bipartisan basis to advance positive legislation to move our country forward; and execute our oversight responsibilities," said Lieu.
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