WASHINGTON — Today, APAICS and the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) issued a letter to incoming members of House and Senate Leadership to elevate diverse representation in House staffing, especially with qualified Asian Americans and Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders (AAs & NH/PIs). This includes hiring and promoting diverse staff at all levels and investment in establishing AA & NH/PI senior advisers and designated community liaisons.
In the 117th Congress, no AA & NH/PI, biracial, Middle Eastern/North African, or Native American serve in any of the 41 committee staff director positions or any of the top 20 staff in leadership offices of either party.
APAICS President and CEO Madalene Xuan-Trang Mielke released the following statement:
“Underrepresented communities like ours have made leaps and bounds over the past few decades with the election of racially diverse candidates to the highest levels of government. However, there is still a large gap that exists for staffers of color in Congress.
“We know that there are well-qualified AAs & NH/PIs that are capable of serving in senior positions - whether it is as professional committee staff, leadership or personal member offices. We urge that the incoming House and Senate Leadership use their positions to elevate AAs & NH/PIs in hiring, create AA & NH/PI community liaison staff and commit to meaningful and continued engagement with AA & NH/PI communities on our policy priorities.
“We look forward to continuing engagement with House and Senate Leadership to promote AA & NH/PI representation throughout all levels in Congress.”
NCAPA National Director Gregg Orton released the following statement:
"Just as every new Congress represents a fresh opportunity where rules are passed and bills are reintroduced, the 118th Congress represents an opportunity for incoming leadership to demonstrate a more meaningful commitment to advancing staff diversity.
“The work of Congress is made better when the people who help drive its work reflect the growing diversity of America. We hope that leadership in both chambers will lead by example--and hold their respective caucuses accountable in building on recent progress made towards more diverse hiring, especially with Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander staff."
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The Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) is a national non-partisan, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting Asian Pacific American participation and representation at all levels of the political process, from community service to elected office.
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Based in Washington, D.C., the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans is a coalition of thirty-eight national Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) organizations that represent the interests of AANHPIs and provides a national voice for our communities’ concerns.