Press Release

Today, Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-NY), and Congressman Peter Roskam (R-IL), the co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans for the 113th Congress, announced that Congressman Ami Bera (D-CA) Congressman George Holding (R-NC) will serve as the new co-chairs for the 114th Congress:

"Ami is an accomplished physician, a staunch advocate for his constituents, and is a go-to member when it comes to working constructively in Congress," said Crowley. "His passion for the issues is impressive, and there is no question the Caucus will be in excellent hands. The Indian-American community has a wonderful partner in Ami Bera, and I look forward to working with him, and the entire India Caucus, as we continue our efforts to strengthen relations between the U.S. and India."

"George is the perfect person for this role and I know that the caucus will be in good hands," said Roskam. "As Republican Chair of the India Caucus, George will focus in on growing the relationship between our two democracies, emphasizing our nations' shared interests from global security to trade and international prosperity. At over 180 members, our caucus is the largest in the House dedicated to a single country. Among so many of his colleagues, and with an unmatched work ethic and understanding of the issues, George will absolutely thrive."

"As the only Indian American serving in Congress, I'm honored to have been voted co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans," said Bera. "I'd like to express my gratitude to Congressmen Crowley and Roskam for their years guiding the Caucus. Under their leadership the India Caucus has grown to one of the largest caucuses in the House. I'm excited to take on this new role at a critical time for the partnership between the U.S. and India. Building on Prime Minister Modi's visit to the U.S. in September and President Obama's upcoming trip to India, I look forward to working with Congressman Holding and our colleagues in the Caucus to continue to grow the economic and strategic relationship between our countries and to advocate for the Indian American community."

"As I have said before, the United States-India bilateral relationship can be one of the defining partnerships of this century," said Holding. "I'm honored to follow Congressmen Roskam and Crowley and thank them for their commitment to this important relationship. I look forward to advancing the efforts of the Caucus as co-chair with Rep. Ami Bera. With a shifting geopolitical situation in Asia, unwavering cooperation between the U.S. and India is essential to promoting peace and stability."

Bera represents Sacramento County in Congress. Born and raised in California, Bera is a physician and only the third Indian American ever to serve in Congress. A member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Bera is a proponent of strengthening United States' strategic and economic ties with India and Asia and is working to open Asian markets to California products to create new jobs. He is also fighting for equal rights for the Indian American community.

Crowley has served as co-chair of the India Caucus in the 112th and 113th Congresses. Formed in 1993, the India Caucus is a bipartisan group of members that is dedicated to championing strong ties between the U.S. and India and supporting the Indian-American community. During his term, Crowley has helped grow the India Caucus to become one of the largest caucuses in the House and initiated several key events, including the first-ever Congressional Diwali celebration in 2013. Crowley led the Democratic whip effort as part of the Congressional push to secure the enactment of the U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Agreement, a landmark agreement that brought U.S.-India relations into the century after decades of distance during the Cold War. A recognized leader in Congress on issues related to the Sikh-American community, Crowley spearheaded a multi-year, successful effort to convince the federal government to begin collecting data on hate crimes committed against Sikh-Americans and Hindu-Americans, an important issue brought to the national spotlight by the massacre of Sikhs worshipping at a temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. He is also the leading voice calling for an end to the presumptive ban on Sikhs serving in the U.S. military.

George Holding (NC-13) is a former U.S. Attorney and currently serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Judiciary Committee. As a testament to Congressman's Holding's unique understanding of a strong U.S.-India relationship, he was chosen to lead a Congressional Delegation to India last year. In the 114th Congress, Representative Holding looks forward to strengthening U.S.-India relations as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.