What is 'Samosa Caucus', the Indian-American voice in US Congress?

NEW DELHI: With a handful of Indian-Americans either eyeing a seat in the

US Congress

or seeking re-election, there are hopes that the "

Samosa Caucus

" may grow in numbers over the coming few months.

But what does a "Samosa Caucus" really mean?
Samosa Caucus is an informal grouping of Indian-American lawmakers who are either part of the House of Representatives or the Senate. The term was coined by Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi to give credence to the growing number of "desi" lawmakers in the US Congress.

While the caucus itself is relatively young, its purpose is the same as that of any other Congressional caucus - to pursue common legislative objectives.

Earlier this month, four Indian-origin lawmakers of the so-called caucus came together at a virtual conference to make a pitch for the removal of country cap on Green Cards to help distressed professionals from India. More such efforts are likely in the future, especially if the caucus grows in strength.

Who is currently part of the Samosa brigade?
The Samosa caucus comprises five Indian-American lawmakers, including four members of the House of Representatives - Dr Ami Bera, Ro Khana, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Pramila Jayapal - and Senator as well as Democratic vice-presidential nominee Kamala Harris.

All the lawmakers belong to the Democratic party.

Bera, Khanna, Krishnamoorthi and Jayapal are all projected to be re-elected on November 3.

Dr Bera, 55, who is seeking his fifth consecutive term, is the longest serving Indian-American in the Congress. He represents the seventh Congressional District of California and is being challenged by Republican Buzz Patterson, a military veteran.

Seeking a third Congressional term, Congressman Ro Khanna is facing a challenge from another Indian-American Ritesh Tandon of Republican Party.

Congresswoman Jayapal, who represents the Seventh Congressional District of Washington State, is being challenged by Republican Craig Keller, who is said to have little chance in the November 3 polls.

Democratic Krishnamoorthi is pitted against Preston Nelson of the Libertarian Party from the eighth Congressional District of Illinois. The seat is a Democratic stronghold, so much so that the Republican Party had cancelled its primary this year as no candidates filed for this seat.

Are more Indian-American faces likely in US Congress?
Several Indian-Americans are on the ballot for the upcoming Congressional and Senate elections. And some of them have a good shot at winning a seat in the Congress.

Dr Hiral Tipirneni, an emergency room physician, is leading by a narrow margin against Republican incumbent David Schweikert in the sixth Congressional District of Arizona.

She has been endorsed by top leaders of the Democratic party, including presidential candidate Joe Biden.

Former State Department Diplomat Sri Preston Kulkarni is leading by five per cent against his Republican rival Troy Nehls in the 22nd Congressional District of Texas, which is an open seat this time.

Kulkarni, 42, had narrowly lost the 2018 Congressional elections. Local media and political pundits are giving him a greater chance to enter the House of Representatives this year. He also hopes to be the first Indian-American to be elected to the House from Texas.

Maine is also likely to witness a keenly-contested Senate clash where Indian-origin Democratic Senator Sara Gideon is pitted against powerful Republican Senator Susan Collins. Gideon, 48, whose father is from India and mother from Armenia, has consistently maintained a lead against Collins in almost all the recent polls.

There are a few other Indian Americans running for the Congress this year, to whom the media and political pundits are giving little chance.

However, their presence in the electoral field is reflective of the increasing interest of Indian-Americans in joining the country's electoral politics.

Prominent among them being Rik Mehta of the Republican Party against popular Democratic Senator Cory Booker from New Jersey.

Manga Anantatmula is running for the House of Representative from the 11th Congressional District of Virginia and Nisha Sharma from California's 11th Congressional District. Both are from the Republican Party.

(With inputs from PTI)