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www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know Exclusive: Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi Speaks About The Presidential Race, His Priorities For H-1B Visas C ongressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Illinois, is among the leading lawmakers on Capitol Hill, among those who frequently appear on main- streammedia, vocal on issues of concern to not just the nation, but also Indian Americans, and India. In an exclusive interview to Desi Talk and News India Times, Rep. Krishnamoorthi addressed his priorities and his agenda as he seeks a fifth term in Congress. First elected in 2016, he is a member of numerous com- mittees and caucuses on Capitol Hill and the first South Asian ever to be made Ranking Member, in this case, of the Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party. A graduate of Harvard Law School, Rep. Krishnamoorthi served at high levels of government in Illinois before being elected to the US Congress. The following is an interview on August 26, 2024: 1. On hindsight, what were your major takeaways from the event (Democratic National Convention)? First of all, I thought the convention was extremely successful. I thought the highlight of the convention was Kamala Harris’s speech, which illustrated that she is strong, she has America’s best interests at heart, and that she would make an excellent president for all the people, not just one portion of the people or another. I think a big highlight for myself personally was being able to take the stage on Thursday and speak to the DNC. That was the first time I had ever had that opportunity. It was a thrill and an amazing experience and an honor for me personally. I think just the entire convention showcased Chicago and Chicago’s star shined brightly for the entire world to see. 2. Did you see and what do you think about the Indian American participation in the Convention – on the floor and on stage? I think that Kamala Harris’s nomination as the first Desi to be nominated for President by our party was a huge highlight and a moment of great pride for millions of Indian Americans, including myself. Her family hails from the same part of the world that mine does, namely Tamil Nadu, India, and that is an extra source of pride. 3. About Kamala Harris – how does it feel to have her as the Presidential candidate? In politics, the person meets the moment, and Kamala Harris is exactly the right person for this moment. At a time when our freedoms are on the line, especially our reproduc- tive freedoms, at a time when we need our laws to be faith- fully executed and applied to everyone equally. At a time when we pull together as a country and unify around our common challenges, Kamala Harris is the type of person that we need to fulfill these goals. Four more years of Donald Trump will serve to divide us further at a time when we very much need to unify as Americans. 4. What are your priorities over the next 3 months in the runup to November 5? I’m seeking a contract extension, so to speak, for a fifth termmyself in 71 days. I will be working hard to win re-elec- tion, but at the same time, the Harris campaign has asked me to campaign for Kamala Harris in different battleground states, which I intend to do, to ensure that Kamala Harris gets elected. I’m a member of her AAPI leadership board and I also want to make sure that Asian Americans and Indian Americans get mobilized to vote for Kamala Harris. 5. Your own re-election campaign is also going on – tell us about it – what are your major needs and how can the Indian American community help you. There are three things that the Indian American com- munity can do– both for me, and Kamala Harris, and others that they support. First, they have to vote. Democracy is a verb, it’s not just a noun. That means we have to exercise our voting rights and make sure we cast our votes in time for the November 5th election. Secondly, we continue to seek volunteers, for my campaign as well as the Kamala Harris campaign in the battleground states especially. And then third, obviously whatever resources people can afford to devote, those resources are always welcome at all levels to ensure that our volunteers are fed, yard signs are pur- chased, and that we get the message out to voters about what our candidacies stand for. 6. The issue of H 1-B visas and permanent residence are looming for so many Indian Americans. One of the opinions I have heard is that lifting the cap on H-1Bs could actually make things worse, and that clearing the deck with current waiting list of thousands and thousands. Also, there is a feel- ing that the case for LEGAL immigrants like H-1B visa holders could be made more forcefully by lawmakers, especially those of Indian descent. could you comment on that? I think that lifting the caps is essential to helping to make sure that people who are in queue first are able to matriculate from H1-B visas to green cards, and I’m the lead Democrat on this particular bill. I’m committed to getting it passed, but I need people in the Indian American commu- nity to continue to advocate for it. I also need everybody, whoever cares about this issue, to speak up. Whether you’re an Indian American lawmaker or any kind of lawmaker, this is the right thing to do, not just for those people who are in queue, but for the American economy as well. Because this will unleash tremendous resources on the part of these H1-B holders starting new businesses, employing more Americans, and propelling our economy forward. 7. What do you hope to accomplish in your next term? There are various objectives that I have. One is that hope- fully if we have theWhite House, the House, and the Senate, I’d like to see immigration reform, including the measures that I mentioned. I also want to see a lot more resources go toward upgrading the skills of our workforce, and the reauthorization of my law, the Perkins Career Technical Education law, which I had co-authored 5 years ago and is up for reauthorization, I believe, in 2025. I want to see that expanded so that more Americans can get access to the good jobs of today and tomorrow that are essential for win- ning the strategic competition between the US and CCP. Finally, I want to see more done to reduce the cost of higher education. I have legislation which would shed more light and bring greater transparency to this issue, and I want to see that passed as well. By Ela Dutt Photo: X @CongressmanRaja Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi welcoming Vice President Kamala Harris as she arrives in Chicago for the National Democratic Convention held from August 19-22 in the Windy City. I ndian American Congressman Raja Krish- namoorthi of Illinois, was among the speak- ers at the Democratic National Convention August 22, 2024. In his speech, he spoke about what he saw as the biggest threat to the US – a rising China. He also praised Vice President Kamala Harris’ ability to counter this threat and to unite Americans. Rep. Krishnamoorthi is a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intel- ligence, and the Ranking Member of the Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, making him the first South Asian Ameri- can in history to lead a Congressional Commit- tee. Notably, Congressman Krishnamoorthi was the only Indian American to speak on the last day of the Convention which was capped by VP Harris accepting her nomination. He was also the only member of the “Samosa Caucus” made up of five Indian American lawmakers, to speak at the four-day Convention. He delivered the following address at the DNC: “America Against America” – It is the title of a book by one of China’s highest ranking leaders. It is how they think they will win. They know the only way they will beat America is if we beat ourselves. In Congress, my job is to study China’s economy. Mark my words, they want to see Donald Trump at the bargaining table. He will start endless trade wars that raise prices for Ameri- cans. Because he will cut programs that train workers in America. But most of all, Trump will pit American against American and that is what China wants. For us to fight amongst ourselves because that is how we lose. But we are not go- ing back. What does Kamala Harris tell us?When we fight, we win. Because Kamala Harris knows we fight best not American against American. She knows when we fight as one country, we win. When we fight as one team, we win. Which is why when Kamala Harris wins in November, we win. Thank you so much. Rep. Krishnamoorthi Warns Against A Rising China At Democratic Convention Photo:YouTube courtesyRep.Krishnamoorthi Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi addressing the Democratic National Convention on Day 4, August 22, 2024. By a StaffWriter U. S. Affairs News India Times (August 31 - September 6, 2024) September 6, 2024 6