WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — Indian American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi will step down later this month as the top Democrat on the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, ending a three-year leadership role that helped shape the panel during its earliest and most critical phase.
Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat from Illinois, announced the decision on Jan. 5, saying he has informed House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of his plans. His departure comes as he prepares for a new political chapter, including a run for the U.S. Senate.
Krishnamoorthi has served as the Ranking Member of the select committee since its formation. The panel was created to address long-term challenges posed by China, with a focus on economic, technological, and national security issues.
“I have informed Leader Hakeem Jeffries of my intention to step down as Ranking Member of the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party later this month,” Krishnamoorthi said in a statement.
His tenure coincided with the committee’s formative years, a period marked by bipartisan efforts to define how Congress should respond to China’s growing global influence.
Reflecting on his appointment, Krishnamoorthi thanked Jeffries for placing his trust in him. He noted the historic nature of the role.
“I am deeply grateful for the confidence Leader Hakeem Jeffries placed in me to lead House Democrats on this Committee for the past three years,” he said.
Krishnamoorthi highlighted that he became the first South Asian American to lead a congressional committee as either chair or ranking member. He described the decision as part of Jeffries’ lasting legacy and a sign of his commitment to broader representation in Congress.
Krishnamoorthi praised fellow lawmakers who served on the committee during the 118th and 119th Congresses. He said members approached their work with seriousness, even when disagreements arose.
The committee’s efforts often carried national and global consequences, he said. Despite differing views, members worked together to strengthen America’s long-term competitiveness and security. He credited the panel with building cooperation across party lines while keeping U.S. economic strength and innovation at the center of its mission.
Under Krishnamoorthi’s leadership, the committee advanced policies aimed at protecting American innovation and securing critical supply chains. The panel also focused on countering forced labor, economic coercion, and efforts that threaten U.S. workers and consumers.
Krishnamoorthi said the committee worked to prevent U.S. capital and technology from being used in ways that undermine American security or values. He called the result a “credible, bipartisan committee” that balanced competition with responsibility.
A large part of his praise went to committee staff, whom he described as dedicated and driven by purpose. He said their work went beyond confronting the Chinese Communist Party and instead focused on keeping the United States a global economic and technological leader.
Krishnamoorthi framed U.S.-China relations as one of the defining tests of the modern era. He said the challenge spans economic, technological, and military domains and demands careful judgment. He called for serious and practical policy solutions. He also warned against allowing fear or prejudice to shape U.S. responses to China.
“The challenge posed by China defies easy answers,” he said, stressing the need for balance, clarity, and enforceable action.
Krishnamoorthi expressed confidence in the committee’s future and in Jeffries’ choice of a successor. Rep. Ro Khanna of California will replace him as Ranking Member, according to a statement from Jeffries.
Although stepping down from the leadership role, Krishnamoorthi said he plans to remain engaged and work closely with the new appointee. He said Democrats on the committee will continue advancing policies that allow the United States to compete and win while staying grounded in core values.
Krishnamoorthi is currently running for the U.S. Senate. If elected, he would become the first Indian American ever elected to the chamber, marking another historic milestone. As he steps aside from a key House leadership role, his record on China policy and bipartisan cooperation is likely to remain central to his national profile.
