CAPAC Welcomes New Executive and Associate Members for the 118th Congress
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) confirmed four new Executive Members and five new Associate Members for the 118th Congress, bringing the total membership of the Caucus to 72 Members of the U.S. House and Senate.
CAPAC Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) and new Members issued the following statements:
CAPAC Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28):
“I’m thrilled to welcome one new Senator—Cory Booker—and eight new House members—Dan Goldman, Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, Nanette Barragán, Mark DeSaulnier, Lucy McBath, Kevin Mullin, Shri Thanedar, Jill Tokuda—to the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. The Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) population is the fastest growing racial group in the nation and currently accounts for over 21 million Americans, making up over 6 percent of the country’s total population. CAPAC’s new Executive and Associate Members will help bolster our Caucus’s ability to be a voice for AANHPI communities across the country. I am especially thrilled to welcome our two new freshman AAPI Members—Jill Tokuda and Shri Thanedar.
“From speaking out against anti-Asian hate and pushing back on xenophobic anti-China rhetoric to increasing language access and data disaggregation and protecting the civil rights of our communities, CAPAC will continue to ensure that the wide range of AANHPI issues and voices are uplifted in Congress. I am grateful to our new CAPAC Members in both the Senate and the House for their support, and I look forward to working with all of them as champions for our diverse communities this 118th Congress.”
CAPAC Freshman Representative Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Executive Member:
“I am humbled to be a part of the leadership team for the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus as the Freshman Representative. In honor of the sacrifices generations before made for us, we have a responsibility to be a voice and an advocate for Asian American, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islander communities. I am looking forward to advancing the collective goals of our AANHPI community.”
Rep. Daniel Goldman (NY-10), Executive Member:
“In Congress, I will be a steadfast advocate for the specific needs of the Asian American and Pacific Islander constituents in my district, from public safety investments, to language accessibility, to small business support. The AAPI community deserves a representative who will fight for them day in and day out. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus to deliver on our many shared priorities.”
Rep. Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (MP-00), Executive Member:
"As Co-Chair of CAPAC’s Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Task Force, I am committed to working with my colleagues in Congress and in the Biden Administration to push for policies advancing equitable access and participation for Marianas residents and all NHPIs in federal programs. I additionally look forward to building on CAPAC’s work from the 117th Congress addressing health, education, housing, and economic disparities among communities of color; advocating for improved language access and data disaggregation for AANHPIs; combatting anti-Asian hate; and protecting immigrant families.”
Rep. Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Executive Member:
“As a new member of Congress and the latest addition to an incredible group of CAPAC lawmakers, I look forward to getting to work for the American people. The American dream is alive when an immigrant from India can come to this country, earn a degree, become a citizen, start a business, and be elected by the people to represent them in the Michigan State House and the United States House of Representatives. I am proud to be a member of CAPAC and look forward to growing our historic representation in Congress by inspiring future generations.”
Sen. Cory Booker (NJ), Associate Member:
“CAPAC has been at the forefront of advocating for issues important to Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders and has ensured the voices of this large and diverse community are represented in the halls of our nation’s Capitol. I am honored to join today as an associate member. CAPAC has made tremendous legislative gains for the AANHPI community in recent years, but we have more work to do, from addressing anti-Asian hate to protecting our immigrant families, from improving access to affordable health care to ensuring that small businesses can prosper. I look forward to working with my CAPAC colleagues to continue advancing these priorities that are vital to the AANHPI community -- and to everyone -- across our country.”
Rep. Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Associate Member:
“I am proud to have joined the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. California’s 44th Congressional District is home to a vibrant Asian American and Pacific Islander community that plays a significant role in the district’s growth and development. I look forward to working with my CAPAC colleagues to represent and advocate for their interests in Congress.”
Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Associate Member:
“I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to join the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. I look forward to the opportunities to engage more closely with my colleagues in the Caucus to best serve the AAPI community in California’s 10th Congressional District and to advance equity, combat prejudice, and celebrate diversity at home and across the country.”
Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-07), Associate Member:
“I am proud to join CAPAC to fight for the AAPI communities across our country. Together, we can support the hard-working Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who bring their unique experiences to our nation, we can advocate and advance shared goals, and we can celebrate the rich contributions that have made America better.”
Rep. Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Associate Member:
“Having represented a large and diverse AAPI community as an Assemblymember and now as a Congressman, I’m very proud to be a new member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. From combatting Asian hate and violence to uplifting leaders, I’m committed to being a voice for the AAPI community in California’s 15th Congressional District and to addressing the issues that affect AAPI Americans every day.”