News India Times

www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know Coalition Of Indian American, Other Lawmakers Lead Roundtable To Combat Rising Hate Against South Asian Americans Federal, state, and local elected officials discuss strategies to prevent hate-motivated violence and strengthen the response to hate crimes C ongressman Raja Krish- namoorthi (D-IL) and a coali- tion of South Asian lawmakers today led a national roundtable with state and local South Asian elected officials focused on rising hate and discrimination target- ing South Asian American communi- ties and concrete steps policymakers can take to combat hate and prevent violence. The roundtable brought together Representatives Pramila Jayapal, Ami Bera, Suhas Subramanyam, and Shri Thanedar, along with state and local elected officials from across the coun- try, Indian American Impact, and Stop AAPI Hate. Participants discussed what South Asian communities are experienc- ing, the forces driving hate, and strategies to strengthen prevention, reporting, and response. “Today’s roundtable brought to- gether South Asian leaders from across the country to confront the rise in hate, harassment, and violence our communi- ties are seeing and focus on what we can do about it,” Krishnamoorthi said. “This is about protecting South Asian Americans, but it is also about making clear that no American should be made to feel they do not belong because of where they were born, how they worship, or what their name sounds like. That is why I have been working to strengthen our response to hate crimes, including through the Hate Crimes Commission Act, so we can better understand what is driving this hate and prevent violence before it happens.” Earlier this year, Krishnamoorthi reintroduced the Hate Crimes Com- mission Act with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Representatives Grace Meng and Nydia Velázquez. The leg- islation would establish a bipartisan commission to examine what is driving hate crimes, including the role of social media and technology, assess barriers to complete reporting, and identify successful prevention and response strategies. It would also require a Gov- ernment Accountability Office audit of federal hate-crime data to improve the accuracy and reliability of information on hate crimes nationwide. The roundtable included state and local elected officials from North Carolina, New Jersey, Virginia, California, Michigan, Texas, and Pennsylvania, as well as Indian American Impact Executive Director Chintan Patel and Stop AAPI Hate Co-Founder Manju Kulkarni. By a StaffWriter PHOTO:OFFICE OF REP.RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI,D-ILLINOIS. Roundtable discussion on Capitol Hill to stem rising hate crimes against South Asian Americans. Congressman Ami Bera Reintroduces Legislation To End Tuberculosis Worldwide O n September 2, 2026, U.S. Congressman Dr. Ami Bera, D-California, along with Rep. María Elvira Salazar, R-Florida, co-chairs of the House Tuberculosis Elimination Caucus, reintroduced the End Tuberculosis Now Act of 2026. This bipartisan legislation seeks to strengthen U.S. efforts to prevent, di- agnose, treat, and ultimately eliminate tuberculosis (TB) worldwide. A group of seven bipartisan representatives joined as original cosponsors. “Tuberculosis is preventable, treatable, and curable, yet it continues to take far too many lives around the world,” said Dr. Bera is quoted saying in the press re- lease. “The End Tuberculosis Now Act of 2026 ensures the United States remains a leader in this fight by focusing on proven approaches: investing in better diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines and making sure our global health programs are accountable for results. I’m espe- cially grateful to John Green, RESULTS, and TB advocates across the country for their tireless work to raise aware- ness, build support, and move us closer to ending TB once and for all.” Rep. Salazar echoed Bera’s comments noting, “Tuber- culosis has challenged humanity for centuries. It should not define the centuries ahead.” RESULTS, an advocacy organization for global health crises such as TB, malnutrition, and AIDS, was among the leaders in influencing this legislation in Congress. “RESULTS is deeply grateful to Rep. Bera and Rep. Salazar for their unwavering commitment to the fight against TB, and for championing this legislation,” said Dr. Joanne Carter, Executive Director of RESULTS. “Commu- nities around the world are leading the fight against TB, and we now have a range of powerful new tools ready to deploy. The U.S. government has already set bold targets for ending TB globally, and this bill provides the frame- work for how we actually get there. Our volunteers across the country are ready to support Congress to get this bill enacted into law.” The End Tuberculosis Now Act of 2026 modernizes U.S. global TB programs to focus resources on finding, treating, and preventing tuberculosis, particularly in countries and communities with the highest burden of the disease. The legislation would expand access to TB diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, including active case finding, rapid diagnostics, treatment for drug-resistant TB, and preventive treatment for people at high risk of infection; Accelerate research and development of better tools to fight TB, including new diagnostics, drug therapies, vaccines, and other technologies, while strengthen- ing health systems and laboratory capacity; Set clear goals and strengthen accountability for U.S. programs, including working by 2030 to reduce TB incidence by 80 percent and TB deaths by 90 percent from 2015 levels, diagnose and begin treatment for 90 percent of TB and drug-resistant TB cases, achieve a 90 percent treatment success rate, and provide preventive treatment to 30 mil- lion people. Since 2022, Representative Bera has led bipartisan ef- forts in the House of Representatives to eliminate tuber- culosis. Bera has made the case that investing in preven- tion, detection, and eradication efforts abroad is also an investment in the health and security of Americans at home, and is a commonsense way to keep Americans safe and defend America from future public health threats. Companion legislation in the Senate was introduced in the 119th Congress by Senators Todd Young (R-IN) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH). PHOTO:BERA.HOUSE.GOV By a StaffWriter Congressman Ami Bera, D-California. News India Times (September 5, 2026 - September 11, 2026) September 11, 2026 6 US Affairs