Six Arab Americans have been sworn into the 118th Congress. Now holding in the US House of Representatives, these six members of Congress are from diverse cultures and represent various states, including California, Illinois, Louisiana, Minnesota, and Michigan.
Rep. Darrell Issa
Lebanese-American Congressman Darrell Issa represents California's 48th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. Originally coming from Ohio, Issa was enlisted in the US Army. Upon graduation, Issa was commissioned as an Army officer and obtained the rank of captain.
Rep. Garret Graves
Coming from Lebanese descent, Congressman Garret Graves represents Louisiana's Sixth Congressional District.
Previously, Graves chaired the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment and were vital in developing and enacting a range of policy wins on rivers, levees, flood protection, coastal issues, and Corps of Engineer's reforms.
He also promoted critical upgrades to federal disaster response and recovery plans, streamlining FEMA operations, creating recoveries, and helping communities nationwide to be more resilient to disaster.
Rep. Darin LaHood
Congressman Darin LaHood is also of Lebanese descent and represents the 16th Congressional district of Illinois.
Before his election, LaHood served in the Illinois State Senate for four years, beginning in 2011. During his public service, he promoted economic development and fiscal responsibility, advocating for a better business climate to boost the national economy and create jobs for Illinoisans.
LaHood also serves on the House Democracy Partnership and co-chairs the US-China working group, the US-Brazil Caucus, the Digital Trade Caucus, the US-Lebanon Friendship Caucus, the Congressional Bus Caucus, and the Congressional Soccer Caucus.