CAPAC Announces Newly Elected Leadership for the 119th Congress
After 14 years as Chair, Rep. Judy Chu will transition to Chair Emerita role
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) elected its leadership for the 119th Congress, as Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) transitions to Chair Emerita.
CAPAC Members elected the following leadership:
- Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06) was elected as Chair.
- Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39) was elected as First Vice-Chair.
- Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02) was elected as Second Vice-Chair.
- Rep. Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06) was elected as Whip.
- Rep.-elect Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) was elected as Freshman Representative.
The incoming Leadership Members issued the following statements:
CAPAC Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28):
“It has been an extraordinary honor to serve as Chair of CAPAC for the past 14 years, following in the footsteps of leaders like Norm Mineta, Robert Underwood, Patsy Mink, and Mike Honda. When I started, we had nine AANHPI members of Congress. Today, we look forward to having 25 AANHPI members of Congress. I am proud to have led CAPAC as it advanced the needs and interests of AANHPI communities nationwide, from health equity, educational access, and immigration to civil rights, data disaggregation, and language access. I am especially proud of our strong, visible fights against anti-Asian hate and racial profiling. Our communities will certainly face incredible challenges in the years to come under a second Trump Administration, but I have no doubt that our Chair-elect, Congressmember Grace Meng, will deftly lead this caucus as our community’s voice within the halls of Congress, protecting our rights and strengthening our power. As I step into the Chair Emerita role, I congratulate the entire incoming CAPAC leadership team and look forward to continuing our work together on behalf of AANHPI communities across the country.”
CAPAC Chair-Elect Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06):
“CAPAC was created to ensure that the voice of our nation’s growing Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander community is not only heard, but strongly represented at the federal level. Throughout my time in Congress, I have championed the AANHPI community through various roles. I am grateful to my colleagues for electing me three consecutive times to serve as First Vice-Chair. I have proudly helped shape the priorities and messaging of our caucus through the first Trump Administration, a global pandemic, and rise in anti-Asian hate and violence. I was also proud to partner with the historic Biden-Harris Administration to improve the lives of AANHPIs over the last four years, from combatting hate to lowering healthcare costs and supporting small businesses. It’s an honor to serve my colleagues as the next Chair of CAPAC. I look forward to strengthening and growing the caucus, serving our diverse members, and fighting for policies that empower AANHPI communities across the country. I would like to thank Congresswoman Judy Chu for her leadership over the last fourteen years. Her legacy and vision will inspire our work in the 119th Congress and beyond.”
CAPAC First Vice-Chair-Elect Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39):
“It is an honor to serve as the next First Vice-Chair of CAPAC, and I thank my CAPAC colleagues for their trust in me for this position. We face tremendous challenges in the years ahead. Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders must stand together against the tide of hateful policies that are sure to come out of a Trump administration. I will work tirelessly with Chair-elect Grace Meng, the rest of the CAPAC leadership, and all my colleagues to ensure that every American can pursue their dreams free of discrimination. I want to also thank current CAPAC Chair Judy Chu for her fearless leadership of the Caucus for the last fourteen years — she is a titan for the AANHPI community, and I know she will continue to provide invaluable support to CAPAC in her role as Chair Emerita next Congress.”
CAPAC Second Vice-Chair-Elect Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02):
“Since its inception, CAPAC has been a champion of social justice and defender of civil rights. Under Chair Chu’s leadership, CAPAC has made enormous strides on Capitol Hill, increasing representation to historic levels and improving awareness and meaningful action on issues facing our AANHPI communities. Looking ahead to the 119th Congress, we must do everything we can to defend and advance the work of the caucus—combating racism and discrimination, increasing economic opportunities, and advancing equity in healthcare, housing and education. As Second Vice-Chair of CAPAC, I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure the diverse needs and perspectives of AANHPIs are fully represented and responded to by Congress.”
CAPAC Whip-Elect Rep. Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06):
“I am deeply honored to serve as Whip for the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus in the next Congress. As the longest-serving Indian American Member of Congress, I look forward to working with this new leadership team to advance CAPAC’s vital mission. Together, we will ensure that Congress not only reflects the voices, contributions, and needs of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities but also puts forward meaningful and effective solutions to address the unique challenges we face.”
CAPAC Freshman Representative-Elect Rep.-Elect Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10):
“I am honored to join CAPAC’s leadership ranks as the Freshman Representative and serve as a voice for our diverse communities. Since its founding, CAPAC and its members have been at the forefront of advancing legislation to strengthen infrastructure, address health, education, and economic disparities, and combat discrimination and hate crimes. I look forward to working with such an incredible leadership team to continue driving progress on the critical issues facing our communities.”