Pramila Jayapal (American Politician) Biography

Quick Info

Profession	Politician
Nationality	American
Date of Birth	21/09/1965
Age	60 years
Birthplace	Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Latest News about Pramila Jayapal

05/06/2026

Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal announced her voting positions for the week of June 1, 2026, supporting H.R. 2860 (Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025) and H.R. 2913 (Ukraine Support Act). She voted against H.R. 7726 (Stop Child Care Scams Act of 2026), reflecting her legislative priorities on marine conservation and international support while opposing the child care scams measure.

28/03/2026

Progressive Representative Pramila Jayapal called for reparations to be granted to undocumented immigrants who were traumatized by ICE enforcement actions during the Trump administration. In her preliminary proposal, she indicated the reparations would assist those who did not receive relief after encounters with immigration authorities, emphasizing the need to address the distress caused by nationwide operations.

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Bio/Wiki

Real Name	Pramila Jayapal
Nickname	Not Known

Physical Stats & More

Height	163 cm
Weight	58 kg
Eye Color	Dark Brown
Hair Color	Black

Educational Qualification(s)

School	Park Ridge, Maine East High School (1964) Maine South High School (1964–1965)
College/University	Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., United States Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States
Qualifications	B.A. from Georgetown University M.B.A. from Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University

Relationships & More

Marital Status	Married
Husband	Steve Williamson
Children	Janak Preston

Family

Spouse	Steve Williamson
Children	Daughter: , Son: Janak Preston Daughter: Janak

Career

Party	Democratic Party
Political Journey	In 2014, ran for Washington's open primary In November 2014, won Washington's open primary In January 2016, declared candidacy for Congress in Washington's 7th congressional district On 9 November 2016, won the Washington Senate seat Served in Washington State Senate representing the 37th legislative district from 2015 to 2017 Elected to U.S. House of Representatives for Washington's 7th congressional district in 2016, assuming office in January 2017 Serving fifth term in U.S. Congress as of 2026 Co-chaired the Congressional Progressive Caucus from 2019 to 2021 Served as Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus from 2021 to 2025 Serves on the House Judiciary Committee and House Budget Committee Serves on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Serves on the House Steering and Policy Committee First immigrant to serve as Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Chair Emerita of the Congressional Progressive Caucus Lead sponsor of the Medicare for All Act in the House Author of the College for All Act, Housing is a Human Right Act, and Ultra-Millionaire Tax Act

Party

Democratic Party

Political Journey

In 2014, ran for Washington's open primary
In November 2014, won Washington's open primary
In January 2016, declared candidacy for Congress in Washington's 7th congressional district
On 9 November 2016, won the Washington Senate seat
Served in Washington State Senate representing the 37th legislative district from 2015 to 2017
Elected to U.S. House of Representatives for Washington's 7th congressional district in 2016, assuming office in January 2017
Serving fifth term in U.S. Congress as of 2026
Co-chaired the Congressional Progressive Caucus from 2019 to 2021
Served as Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus from 2021 to 2025
Serves on the House Judiciary Committee and House Budget Committee
Serves on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs
Serves on the House Steering and Policy Committee
First immigrant to serve as Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration
Chair Emerita of the Congressional Progressive Caucus
Lead sponsor of the Medicare for All Act in the House
Author of the College for All Act, Housing is a Human Right Act, and Ultra-Millionaire Tax Act

Social Media

Instagram	https://www.instagram.com/pramilajayapal/
Facebook	https://www.facebook.com/RepJayapal/
Twitter	https://twitter.com/pramilafor7
LinkedIn	https://www.linkedin.com/in/pramila-jayapal-80b7488

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. Pramila Jayapal was born in the Chennai district of Tamil Nadu, India.
2. She was raised in Singapore and Indonesia.
3. At the age of 16 in 1982, she came to the United States to attend college.
4. In 2000, she became a U.S. citizen.
5. In March 2000, her book "Pilgrimage: One Woman’s Return to a Changing India" was published.
6. After the 9/11 attacks in 2001, she founded Hate Free Zone, which later became OneAmerica in 2008.
7. The White House recognized her as a "Champion of Change" in 2013 for her work advocating for immigrant communities.
8. In April 1995, she returned to India after 25 years, sharing how her life was transformed.
9. On 9 November 2016, she became the first Indian-American woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
10. She spent nearly a decade working on global health and development for Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH).
11. She founded and served as Executive Director of OneAmerica until 2012.
12. She is the first immigrant to serve as Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration.
13. Author of 'Use the Power You Have: A Brown Woman’s Guide to Politics and Political Change'.

Pramila Jayapal Politician American Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India