Indian–
American Congresswoman
Pramila
Jayapal has been
elected
as the
chair
of the
Congressional
Progressive
Caucus (CPC), making her one
of the most
powerful US lawmakers for the 117th Congress.
Jayapal, 55, who was
elected on Wednesday, said that the
caucus is going to advance racial justice, tackle poverty and inequality and help transform the country.
“
As a lifelong organiser, I am honoured that my colleagues have
elected me to lead the
Congressional
Progressive
Caucus at this pivotal moment,”
Jayapal said soon after her election to this most
powerful
Congressional
Caucus, which is slated to play an influential role during the next Biden Administration.
Joe Biden, 78, is due to take over
as the 46th president
of the US on January 20.
“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,” said
Jayapal.
The incoming Executive Board
of CPC is made up
of 26 members – one
Chair, one Deputy
Chair, one Whip, two
Chair Emeriti, two Special Order Hour Conveners, ten Vice Chairs, one Executive Board Member At-Large and eight Deputy Whips.
The CPC Executive Board is representative
of the diversity within the
caucus – more than half
of Executive Board members are people
of colour and more than half are women.
Incoming CPC Deputy
Chair Congresswoman Katie Porter said that in 2018, many
of her Democratic colleagues and she successfully ran campaigns rooted in
progressive values.
“Rather than shying away from our core principles, we embraced them— making it clear that a
progressive agenda is not only the right policy for America, but also a winning political message,” she said.
CPC Whip Congresswoman Ilhan Omar said, “we have a unique opportunity to fight for transformative change in the 117th Congress— whether that is addressing the coronavirus pandemic, passing universal healthcare, tackling the climate crisis or reorienting our foreign policy.”
“I look forward to continuing to represent my colleagues in building an effect
progressive voting bloc in Congress alongside fearless leaders like Reps.
Pramila
Jayapal and Katie,” she said.
Among others,
Indian–
American Congressman Ro Khanna has been
elected
as Deputy Whip, while Congresswoman Rashida Talib
as vice
chair for member services.
“We have massive crises knocking at our nation’s door and our work has never been more important. It’s time for Congress to act boldly and restore power to where it belongs: with the people,”
Jayapal said in a tweet.
“Together, our
caucus is going to deliver real relief to families, advance racial justice, tackle poverty and inequality, champion climate justice, and help transform this country so working people can finally get ahead. Let’s get to work,”
Jayapal said.