Asian Pacific Americans in the United States Congress

Lorraine H. Tong
Analyst in American National Government

In the 111th Congress, a record 13 Asian Pacific Americans were elected to the United States Congress: 2 Senators, 9 Representatives, and 2 Delegates. Of the 41 Asian Pacific Americans who have served in Congress from 1903 to the present, there have been 5 Senators (3 of whom have also served in the House), 16 Representatives, 7 territorial Delegates, and 13 Resident Commissioners from the Philippine Islands. Resident Commissioners served from 1907-1946 while the Philippines was a U.S. territory and commonwealth (all were Philippine born). Of the 28 Asian Pacific Americans who were not resident commissioners, 18 were Democrats and 10 were Republicans.

The ancestry of these Asian Pacific Americans has included Chinese, Chamorro, Filipino, Asian Indian, Japanese, Korean, Native Hawaiian, Samoan, Thai, and Vietnamese. They have represented California, Hawaii, Louisiana, Ohio, Oregon, Virginia, American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. They have served in leadership positions, including committee and subcommittee chairmanships.

This report presents information on Senators, Representatives, and Delegates, including party affiliations, length and dates of service, and committee assignments. The bipartisan and bicameral Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus is also discussed in this report.


Date of Report: July 7, 2010
Number of Pages: 25
Order Number: 97-398
Price: $29.95

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