WASHINGTON, Nov 12: Newly elected Indian-American lawmakers Amish Shah and Pia Dandiya have joined the New Democrat Coalition, strengthening their presence in the centrist Democratic group, whose membership has expanded to 142 representatives.
The coalition, headed by Congressman Brad Schneider, inducted 40 newly elected members on Tuesday, marking the largest expansion in its 30-year history. With the latest additions, it has emerged as the largest ideological caucus within the Democratic Party.
Welcoming the new members, Schneider highlighted the organisation’s significant growth since he entered Congress in 2012, when it had just 43 representatives.
“When I first came to Congress in 2012, the New Dems had 43 Members. Fourteen years later, New Dems are proud to welcome 40 new members, our largest freshman class ever, and now number 142 Members,” Schneider said in a statement.
The Democratic Party also has a prominent progressive caucus comprising more than 100 lawmakers. It is led by Texas Congressman Greg Casar and includes prominent representatives such as Ilhan Omar, Pramila Jayapal and Ro Khanna.
Apart from Shah and Dandiya, Indian-American lawmakers Ami Bera and Suhas Subramanyam are also associated with the New Democrat Coalition. Shri Thanedar and Raja Krishnamoorthi have been members as well, although neither will serve in the House that convenes on January 3, following their respective primary election defeats in the House and Senate races.
Shah, an emergency medicine physician and former three-term member of the Arizona House of Representatives, has family roots in Gujarat, India.
Born in Chicago to parents who immigrated to the United States during the 1960s, Shah completed his undergraduate education at Northwestern University. He subsequently earned his medical degree from Northwestern University Medical School through its Honours Program in Medical Education.
He later received a full merit scholarship to pursue a Master’s degree in Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley. His professional training also included a residency in emergency medicine at one of New York City’s busiest Level-1 trauma centres.
Dandiya, meanwhile, is a first-generation American whose professional experience spans education, public policy and technology.
According to her campaign website, she has focused much of her career on strengthening communities through leadership and innovation. Born and raised in Palm Beach County, Florida, she began her professional journey as a teacher before becoming a high school principal in Harlem, New York.
She subsequently served as a White House Fellow, working with the Domestic Policy Council and the Department of Education under both Democratic and Republican administrations. Before entering electoral politics, she also contributed to public-sector initiatives at technology company Apple.
Established in 1997, the New Democrat Coalition seeks to promote bipartisan cooperation and develop policies addressing the country’s major economic and social challenges.
The group advocates practical and inclusive solutions on issues ranging from affordable housing and accessible healthcare to economic development and opportunities for American communities.
The induction of 40 new lawmakers represents a significant milestone for the coalition as it seeks to strengthen its influence within the Democratic Party and advance its centrist policy agenda.