Amish Shah outlines US Congress priorities on tariffs, affordable healthcare, and hate crimes

Indian-American Congressman-elect Amish Shah said lowering tariffs, strengthening the US Congress, and keeping healthcare affordable were key aims. Shah said voters wanted action on living costs and the wider economy. Shah also said the office would be used to speak against hate aimed at immigrant communities, despite their work across many sectors.

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Shah, elected from Arizona’s first congressional district, spoke to Indian reporters at Capitol Hill. Shah said the public wanted practical results on prices and jobs. "The American people have made it very clear that they want us to focus on costs and the economy. They want an economy that works for everybody. They want us to focus on healthcare, bringing down premiums and ensuring coverage for everyone,\" Shah said.

Amish Shah tariffs focus for Indian-American businesses

Shah said tariffs introduced under the Trump administration had hurt Indian-American businesses. Shah highlighted concerns raised by people linked to the gems and jewellery trade. \"A lot of Indian-American entrepreneurs have come to me specifically and complained, and those concerns are top of mind,\" said Shah, who won a seat in the US House of Representatives in the November 3 midterm elections.

Shah said the new Congress would begin work on January 3 next year. The 120th US Congress was set to continue until January 3, 2029. Shah noted this period included the final two years of US President Donald Trump. Shah linked the timeline to plans on costs, trade, and healthcare.

Amish Shah bipartisan approach and US Congress role

Shah said experience in the Arizona House would guide efforts to work across party lines. Shah served three terms in the state legislature. \"I have pledged to work in a bipartisan fashion, just as I did in the State House. I had more bills signed into law than any Democrat in a decade in the State House, all through a Republican legislature,\" Shah said.

On hate and discrimination, Shah said elected leaders had a duty to speak clearly. Shah said fear had increased for many people in immigrant communities. \"A lot of people feel scared and alone at times like this. What they want is for their elected leaders to see it, condemn it, stand with them and combat it in the ways they can. What we are given here is a bullhorn to set the moral tone for the country,\" Shah said.

Amish Shah family roots and Zaveri Bazaar story

Chicago-born Shah said family ties led back to Gujarat. Shah also shared a family story from Bombay’s Zaveri Bazaar in the late 1950s. \"It was the late 1950s, in Zaveri Bazaar in Bombay. A man named Mark Howard, a retired judge from Michigan, was wandering around. It was a hot day. He nearly passed out, and he was clearly in trouble,\" Shah said.

Shah said uncles running a jewellery shop helped the visitor and started a long link. Shah said they brought Mark Howard inside and offered a can of Coca-Cola. Shah said the later relationship changed the family’s path. \"Based on that conversation, and by keeping in touch, he eventually sponsored my mother to come to the United States to study. She was a student at the Milwaukee School of Engineering starting in 1969. It was an act of generosity that my mother really made sure we knew about, because its the reason I am standing in front of you today,\" Shah said.

Shah said the immediate agenda would stay centred on costs, trade policy, and healthcare cover. Shah also said the role carried a public responsibility to oppose hate and discrimination. With the 120th US Congress set to start on January 3 next year, Shah said work would begin on the promises made to voters and affected communities.

With inputs from PTI