List of Hindu members of the United States Congress

This is a list of Hindu members of the United States Congress.

As of 2023[update], three practicing Hindus have been elected to Congress, the first being Tulsi Gabbard in 2013. In total, eight members of Congress have been either practicing Hindus or born into Hindu families but adhering to other religions. Two practicing Hindus currently serve in the United States House of Representatives.

Senate

No Hindu has ever served in the United States Senate. Kamala Harris (D) of California, a former senator who is currently the Vice President, was raised by a Hindu mother but identifies as a Baptist.

House of Representatives

In addition to the representatives below, four representatives, Bobby Jindal (R) of Louisiana, a former representative who converted to Christianity in high school and identifies as a Catholic, Ami Bera (D) of California, who identifies as a Unitarian Universalist, Pramila Jayapal (D) of Washington, whose religious affiliation is unknown, and Shri Thanedar (D) of Michigan, who identifies as a Protestant, all grew up in a Hindu household but adhere to other religions.

Representative Party District Term Notes
Start End Length of
service (days)
Tulsi Gabbard Democratic HI-02 January 3, 2013 January 3, 2021 2,922
(8 years, 0 days)
First practicing Hindu elected to Congress. Retired to run unsuccessfully for president of the United States.[1][2]
Ro Khanna Democratic CA-17 January 3, 2017 Incumbent 2,654
(7 years, 98 days)
One of the first two practicing Hindus of Indian descent to be elected to Congress.[3][4]
Raja Krishnamoorthi Democratic IL-08 January 3, 2017 Incumbent 2,654
(7 years, 98 days)
One of the first two practicing Hindus of Indian descent to be elected to Congress.[5][6]

See also

References

  1. ^ Sacirbey, Omar (2 November 2012). "Hawaii Democrat poised to be elected first Hindu in Congress". Washington Post. Religion News Service. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  2. ^ Kumar, Arvind (15 November 2012). "The first Hindu in US Congress". Indian Weekender. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
  3. ^ Graves-Fitzsimmons, Guthrie. "How Faith Fuels the Anti-War Stances of 3 U.S. Representatives". Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  4. ^ "Ro Khanna Reflects on Gandhi's 150th Birthday". Congressman Ro Khanna. 2 October 2019. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  5. ^ "Raja Krishnamoorthi heading to U.S. Congress". The Hindu. 9 November 2016. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  6. ^ Bhattacharyya, Anirudh (29 August 2016). "Raja Krishnamoorthi: First-ever Hindu of Indian origin may make it to the US House of Representatives". firstpost.com. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
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