Indian American Lawmakers-Elect Amish Shah and Pia Dandiya Join Centrist Democratic Coalition
WASHINGTON–Indian American lawmakers-elect Amish Shah of Arizona and Pia Dandiya of Florida have joined the New Democrat Coalition, a centrist group of House Democrats that has expanded to a record 142 members following the addition of 40 incoming lawmakers.
The coalition announced Wednesday that its newest members represent more than half of the incoming House Democratic Caucus. The group described the additions as its largest incoming class, with all 40 memberships receiving unanimous approval.
“Each of these Members-elect believes and practices the New Dems’ core values: seeking common ground and a pragmatic approach to policymaking,” said Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Ill., Chair of the New Democrat Coalition.
Schneider said the coalition’s expanded membership reflected voter demands for policies aimed at reducing costs and addressing corruption. He also credited the group’s emphasis on centrist approaches with helping Democrats increase their representation in Congress.
Shah, who represents Arizona’s 1st Congressional District, and Dandiya, who represents Florida’s 22nd Congressional District, were among the newly elected Democrats welcomed into the coalition.
The organization held an orientation for incoming members on Sunday, covering legislative priorities, strategies for advancing legislation, congressional office operations and the committee assignment process.
Shah, an emergency room physician and former Arizona state legislator, defeated Republican Jay Feely, who had received the endorsement of President Donald Trump.
During congressional orientation, Shah identified affordability, healthcare and Arizona’s water challenges as major priorities.
Although he campaigned on a commitment to bipartisan cooperation, Shah indicated that working across party lines would not prevent him from scrutinizing the Trump administration.
Asked whether he would support a possible third impeachment of Trump, Shah responded, “We’ll see.”
He described impeachment as a constitutional mechanism and emphasized that members of Congress have a responsibility to uphold the law.
Dandiya secured her congressional seat by defeating Republican Casey Askar in Florida’s newly redrawn 22nd Congressional District.
Her campaign emphasized reducing everyday expenses, improving access to affordable healthcare and childcare, and expanding educational and economic opportunities.
Dandiya’s policy proposals included universal pre-kindergarten, workforce preparation for changes driven by artificial intelligence, and protections for Social Security, Medicaid and veterans’ benefits.
Born and raised in Palm Beach County, Florida, to Indian immigrant parents, Dandiya began her professional career in education, working as a teacher before becoming a high school principal.
She later served as a White House Fellow, working with the Domestic Policy Council and the Department of Education under both Democratic and Republican administrations.
Dandiya subsequently joined Apple, where she worked on initiatives involving the public sector.
Established in 1997, the New Democrat Coalition is a center-left organization within the House Democratic Caucus that promotes bipartisan cooperation and policies focused on economic growth, innovation and fiscal responsibility.
The coalition’s legislative priorities include affordable housing, healthcare, national security, infrastructure development and technological innovation.
Its policy agenda also supports changes to immigration laws and stronger border security while preserving legal immigration pathways.
The group additionally advocates investments in clean energy and infrastructure as part of its broader economic development strategy.
The addition of Shah and Dandiya places the two newly elected Indian American lawmakers within one of the House Democratic Caucus’s major policy organizations as they prepare to begin their first terms in Congress. (Source: IANS)
