Biography

Pramila Jayapal, born on September 21, 1965, in Chennai, India, is a Democratic U.S. Representative serving Washington's 7th Congressional District since 2017. She is the first South Asian American woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and one of the few naturalized citizens in Congress. Before her political career, Jayapal was a prominent civil rights activist, founding OneAmerica in 2001 to advocate for immigrant rights. She has authored two books: Pilgrimage to India: A Woman Revisits Her Homeland and Use the Power You Have: A Brown Woman’s Guide to Politics and Political Change.

Education and Political Experience

• Education:

  • Bachelor of Arts in English and Economics from Georgetown University
  • Master of Business Administration from Northwestern University

• Political Experience:

  • Washington State Senator for the 37th District
  • U.S. Representative for Washington's 7th Congressional District
  • Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus
  • Member of the House Judiciary Committee, serving as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement
  • Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, serving on the Subcommittee on Africa and the Subcommittee on South and Central Asia
  • Member of the House Budget Committee
  • Vice Chair of the Congressional LGBTQ Equality Caucus and Co-Chair of the Transgender Equality Task Force
  • Chair of the Immigration Task Force for the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus

Throughout her tenure, Jayapal has been a leading advocate for progressive policies, including Medicare for All, a $15 minimum wage, affordable housing, and comprehensive immigration reform. She has also been instrumental in introducing legislation such as the College for All Act and the Ultra-Millionaire Tax Act.