'Bengaluru-Chennai roots, H-1B fight': Suhas Subramanyam Wins Second Term in US Congress

Indian-American Congressman Suhas Subramanyam has won a second term representing Virginia’s 10th Congressional District, bringing his Bengaluru and Chennai family roots back into focus amid his advocacy for H-1B visa holders and stronger India-US ties.

Subramanyam, the son of Tamil physicians, was re-elected on Tuesday (local time). His mother hails from Bengaluru, while his father grew up in Chennai and Secunderabad. He also has extended family in India.

"The campaign is over, but the work is just beginning. I look forward to working with our community to deliver change in Washington," Subramanyam wrote on X after his victory.

From Bengaluru and Chennai Roots to Washington

Born in Houston, Texas, in 1986, Subramanyam has often spoken about his family's Indian connections and its journey to the United States.

His mother arrived at Dulles Airport in 1979, a connection he has linked to the immigrant community in Northern Virginia. "Dulles Airport here, and our district was their Ellis Island," he told CNBC-TV18.

"My mom's from Bangalore. My dad's from Chennai and Secunderabad, and we have ties in India. I still have family in India," he said in an interview last year.

Subramanyam studied philosophy at Tulane University before earning a law degree from Northwestern University. He began his political career working as an aide to Representative Suzanne Kosmas and later served as a clerk to Senator Dick Durbin on the Senate Judiciary Committee, where he worked on the DREAM Act.

He also served as a White House technology policy adviser under President Barack Obama from 2015. His professional experience includes working as a lawyer, running a small technology business and volunteering as an emergency medical technician and firefighter.

First Indian-American to Enter Virginia General Assembly

Subramanyam made history in 2019 when he became the first Indian-American, first South Asian and first Hindu to be elected to the Virginia General Assembly.

He served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 2020 to 2024 and briefly represented a state Senate seat before entering the US Congress.

In 2024, he won the congressional seat vacated by Jennifer Wexton, representing Virginia's 10th District.

In the US House of Representatives, he serves on the Oversight Committee and is the ranking member of its Subcommittee on Military and Foreign Affairs. He also sits on the cybersecurity and information technology panel, the Science, Space and Technology Committee and the Ethics Committee.

H-1B Visa Holders and India-US Ties Among Key Issues

Subramanyam supports legislation allowing H-1B, L, O and other visa holders to renew their visas within the US. He strongly criticised Trump's $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions, calling it "economic sabotage".

He has also opposed Trump's tariffs on India, warning they could strain bilateral ties. Describing India as a "natural ally", he said the tariffs would hurt American consumers and weaken Trump's standing among Indian-Americans.

Push for Data Centre Regulations

Beyond immigration and foreign policy, Subramanyam has taken up technology-related issues. He introduced the Responsible Data Center Siting Act, seeking to establish regulatory safeguards for data centre development.

Subramanyam ended his re-election campaign with a rally alongside Virginia Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner.

He lives in Loudoun County with his wife, Miranda Pena Subramanyam, and their two daughters.