Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D.Ill.) continues to ascend to leadership positions as he has been named on Feb. 25 as Assistant Whip for the 116th Congress by House Majority Whip, Rep. James E. Clyburn (D.-S.C.).
Krishnamoorthi, who represents Illinois’ 8th District, which includes Chicago, in announcing his new appointment, said, “I am honored to be selected for the Assistant Whip position,” and explained, “This position is integral in rallying my colleagues together to pass important legislation. I look forward to bringing our diverse caucus together so that we can continue to pass legislation that will deliver meaningful results for working families across America,” he said.
Clyburn, a 13-term Congressman and one of the senior-most and respected African American lawmakers, and is a two-time Majority Whip, having previously served in the post from 2007 to 2011 and served as House Assistant Minority Leader from 2011 to 2019, said, “I’m pleased that Congressman Krishnamoorthi will be joining my Whip team as an Assistant Whip for the 116th Congress.”
“Congressman Krishnamoorthi will play a critical role in my Whip operation, helping us ensure that every voice of the most diverse Caucus ever is heard as we consider legislation to move our country in a positive direction,” he said, and added, “I look forward to working with Congressman Krishnamoorthi to ensure that Democrats deliver on their promise to advance an agenda that will have a positive impact on Americans’ everyday lives.”
Assistant Whips are responsible for helping the Whip operation get an accurate read on where Members of the Caucus stand on certain pieces of legislation. They work with Members of the Caucus to answer any questions or address any concerns that Members may have with upcoming bills.
Last month, Krishnamoorthi, 45, was named Chairman of the House Oversight Committee’s Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy, which makes him the point man of a panel with jurisdiction over important pocketbook issues such as education, workforce development, income inequality, health care, consumer protection and data privacy.
This appointment followed just a week after Krishnamoorthi, in a significant committee assignment–was appointed to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, becoming the first South Asian American lawmaker to serve on this influential panel.