Indian-American Congressman-elect Amish Shah has said that tackling anti-India hate in the United States and restoring Congress’s authority over tariffs will be among his top priorities when he takes office on January 3.Amish Shah said he wants to take tariff-related powers away from the White House and give Congress a greater role in decisions on trade.Speaking to news agency ANI on the sidelines of a press conference organised by the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) on Wednesday (local time), Amish Shah said members of the Indian-American community had raised concerns about anti-India hate and the impact of tariffs on Indian entrepreneurs and businesses.“One of the top priorities that the Indian American community told me about, besides stopping Indian hate, is that they also talked clearly about how the tariffs were hurting our Indian entrepreneurs and the Indian business community,” Shah told ANI.He said rolling back tariffs and restoring Congress’s authority over such decisions would also benefit small businesses, including those in his constituency.“Rolling back those tariffs, reasserting Congress’s authority over tariffs, and taking it away from the White House will be a top priority as well. We want to help all the small businesses, including all the ones in my district,” he said.Shah also pointed out that tariffs were making basic goods more expensive for American consumers, adding that the incoming Congress would work to address the issue.“You cannot have these basic things cost more for the American people out there because of these tariffs. We are going to be the ones who have to stop that,” Shah told ANI.
Plans to join India Caucus
Amish Shah said he planned to join the India Caucus in Congress and referred to Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi and other members expected to be present when the new Congress begins its work on January 3.“I plan to join the India caucus. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, and so there are six members who will be present on January 3rd,” he said.
Healthcare, economy and water supply among priorities
Apart from issues concerning the Indian-American community, Shah outlined several domestic priorities, including the rising cost of living, the economy, affordable healthcare, access to insurance coverage and water supply in his district.“The American people made it very clear that they want us to focus on costs, the economy, health care and bringing down those premiums and covering everybody. People of my district sent me here because we are also worried about our water supply. All of those are our top priorities here, as well as tackling the corruption we have seen over the last couple of years that has caused economic hardship,” Amish Shah said.He said the incoming lawmakers would begin working on the issues raised by voters from their first day in office.“We have not forgotten the clear message that was sent, and that is going to be what we are going to do on day one, January 3rd,” he said.Shah, a Democrat, defeated Republican Jay Feely in the 2026 midterm elections to win Arizona’s 1st Congressional District. He became the first South Asian American to represent Arizona in the US Congress.According to CNN’s election results updated on November 10, with an estimated 99% of votes counted, Shah secured 52.4% of the vote, while Feely received 45.4%.