Ami Bera Wins Eighth Term in Congress, Extending Record as Longest-Serving Indian American Lawmaker

WASHINGTON–Democratic Rep. Ami Bera has secured an eighth term in the U.S. House of Representatives, defeating Republican Robb Tucker in California’s newly redrawn 3rd Congressional District and extending his tenure as the longest-serving Indian American currently serving in Congress.

Bera, the son of immigrants from Gujarat, has represented the Sacramento region since 2013. His latest victory comes as U.S.-India relations face challenges over trade tariffs, immigration policies and geopolitical differences.

A senior Democrat with extensive experience in foreign affairs and national security, Bera serves as the Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific. He also sits on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

Bera has been an outspoken critic of several Trump administration policies affecting India, particularly the $100,000 fee imposed on H-1B visas and the steep tariffs placed on Indian goods.

During a September 2025 visit to India, when he led a five-member congressional delegation, Bera questioned the administration’s decision to impose the H-1B fee, warning that it could undermine American competitiveness.

“I think this was a poorly thought through policy… Much lower fees of $1,000 to $4,000 were much more appropriate,” Bera said at the time.

“I think this is going to hurt American tech companies, and in fact, it may have the opposite effect — instead of creating American jobs, a tech company might say, ‘Let me just expand my presence in Hyderabad or Bangalore’,” he added.

Bera also criticized President Donald Trump’s decision to impose an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports over New Delhi’s purchases of Russian oil, raising the total tariff rate to 50%.

Rather than escalating economic tensions, Bera advocated direct engagement between the leaders of the two countries.

“If President Trump were to ask me what to do, I’d say pick up the phone and call Prime Minister Modi,” he said. “Encourage the Prime Minister to engage with Russia to help see if they can be a partner in bringing an end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.”

“I don’t think any of us think a 50 per cent tariff on a good friend is where you should go,” he added.

In an interview with The Print, Bera also questioned why India faced such substantial tariffs while China was treated differently.

“Why else is he not slapping a 50 per cent tariff on China? Again ill-thought through, not consulted with Congress,” he said.

At a congressional hearing in December 2025, Bera reiterated his opposition to the H-1B fee, arguing that the policy “disadvantages our companies.”

Beyond trade and immigration, Bera has frequently addressed security challenges in South Asia.

Following the April 2025 terrorist attack in Pahalgam and subsequent military confrontations between India and Pakistan, he called for restraint and diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation.

“At the end of the day, it really is India and Pakistan deciding as two nuclear nations, we’ve got to de-escalate this,” Bera said.

His office also issued a statement condemning the terrorist attack and urging both countries to reduce tensions.

Bera has played a prominent role in strengthening congressional ties with India. In 2015, he became the first Indian American to serve as Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans.

He attended Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to a joint meeting of Congress in June 2023 and has participated in Diwali celebrations on Capitol Hill.

Politically, Bera is considered a moderate Democrat and is a member of the New Democrat Coalition, a group of lawmakers generally associated with centrist economic and national security policies.

According to Voteview’s DW-NOMINATE ideological rankings, Bera ranks 190th among House Democrats in liberal voting positions, placing him closer to the political center than many members of his party.

His voting record also reflects differences with fellow Indian American Democratic Representatives Ro Khanna and Pramila Jayapal on several national security and spending measures.

Bera supported the final fiscal 2026 defense authorization legislation in December 2025, a federal spending package in January 2026 and a March 2026 resolution identifying Iran as the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism.

He also opposed a June 2026 war-powers resolution concerning Lebanon.

However, Bera joined Khanna and Jayapal in supporting measures related to Iran war powers, assistance to Ukraine and efforts to terminate the national emergency used to justify tariffs on Canada.

All three also opposed the Laken Riley Act, a Republican-backed reconciliation package and the fiscal 2027 defense authorization bill.

An analysis of House Clerk voting records covering January 2025 through mid-September 2026 found that Bera voted with the Democratic majority approximately 97% of the time. He missed about 10 votes during that period, fewer than Khanna or Jayapal.

Before entering politics, Bera practiced medicine for approximately 20 years.

Born and raised in California, he earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of California, Irvine. According to his official congressional biography, he attended public institutions throughout his education and completed medical school with less than $10,000 in debt.

His medical career included serving as Chief Resident in Internal Medicine at California Pacific Medical Center and holding leadership positions at MedClinic Medical Group.

His parents immigrated to the United States from Rajkot, Gujarat.

Bera’s congressional priorities include improving health care access and affordability, supporting economic development in the Sacramento region and strengthening national security.

His 2026 reelection campaign raised approximately $1.5 million and reported about $1.7 million in cash on hand as of October 14, according to Federal Election Commission filings.

With his eighth consecutive election victory, Bera further solidifies his position as a prominent Indian American voice in Washington, particularly on issues shaping U.S.-India relations, foreign policy and national security. (Source: IANS)