Raja Krishnamoorthi

Equality as a principle is at the heart of our democracy.

Subramanian Raja Krishnamoorthi (born July 19, 1973) is an Indian-born American businessman and politician serving as the U.S. representative for Illinois's 8th congressional district since 2017. The district includes many of Chicago's western and northwestern suburbs. Krishnamoorthi is a member of the Democratic Party and serves on the House Oversight Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. He is also chair of the Oversight Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy, and serves as an assistant whip.

Quotes

• The question is are they going to be equipped and are we going to be able to aid them sufficiently to be able to reassert control eventually.[1]
• The way they handle issues of race and gender, and the way they treat their employees really influences the way society handles those very issues, we're very much interested in learning more about exactly why The NFL did what they did and the way they did it.[2]
• Certainly, I think the president does want this total absolute exoneration, in all caps, to happen, ASAP. And I think that perhaps, Mitch McConnell or four Republican senators would join with Democrats to call for a fair process.[3]
• When something as serious as cancer or carcinogens are at issue.[4]
• In light of the public interest around this particular issue.[5]
• I hope that they treat her with the dignity she deserves, the respect that she deserves. By all accounts, she was an excellent member of the foreign service.[6]
• I think that the less we know about that person, the more protected he or she will be.[7]
• It feels like that's kind of vaping on steroids.[8]
• Any such exception or exemption would be a tremendous mistake ...we respectfully request the FDA to resist.[9]
• My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Kerala and their loved ones.[10]
• I have strong differences with Mr. Trump on a woman’s right to choose and what kind of justices belong on the Supreme Court.[11]
• I decided to run for Congress to get and keep people in the middle class.[12]
• It is time to investigate Russian interference in our democracy and to address it in a manner that will help restore Americans’ trust in their government.[13]
• A functioning democracy cannot stand when its people do not trust their leaders to uphold the law.[14]
• Pocketbook and economic issues is pretty much all I campaigned on[15]
• I think it’s so important we’re a nation of laws but also a nation of immigrants.[16]
• The American people need to know if public servants are operating in the best interests of the United States or the Kremlin.[17]

2017

• There’s another important reason not to send the Dreamers packing: they are essential to preserving the social insurance programs on which older Americans rely. More and more Baby Boomers are reaching retirement age, with relatively fewer and fewer active workers paying into Social Security and Medicare. Tossing nearly a million productive, taxpaying Dreamers out of a job will remove billions of dollars in contributions to those essential retirement programs.
  • Ending DACA Would Be A Giant Blow To Our Economic Future (October 25, 2017)

2023

• Equality as a principle is at the heart of our democracy.
  • Quote from May 2023[18]

2025

• Last week, during a visit to the “South Loop” ICE facility (the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program office located at 2245 S. Michigan Avenue in Chicago) we were denied the ability to perform congressional oversight – as is our duty as members of the United States House of Representatives. During the visit to this facility, the ICE officer who refused to identify himself called the Chicago Police Department to evict us for “trespassing.” We are writing today to express deep concern regarding the lack of oversight of these facilities and their operations, and to request immediate and full access to ICE facilities for the purpose of investigating this activity further. This specific facility has been the site of very disturbing incidents that have shaken our community. On June 4, 2025, ICE officials detained at least 10 individuals after they were texted to demand they show up for a routine appointment1. It is unclear exactly how many people were taken, where they were taken to, and if they were given access to counsel – all of which we were hoping to learn through performing our oversight duties. We were denied those answers. We are writing to you today to demand access to this facility.
  • Joint letter published with Jonathan Jackson, U.S. Representative for the Illinois 1st Congressional District, to Kristi Noem, 23 June 2025

• Our request comes as the President has declared his intent to carry out the “single largest mass deportation program in history,” specifically naming the city of Chicago as a target, in addition to other Democratic-run cities. The President’s politically motivated actions are deeply troubling, particularly for communities like ours in Illinois that have already seen intensified enforcement activity in recent weeks. The administration must ensure that all individuals, regardless of immigration status, are treated with dignity and afforded due process – as that is the law. Yet the reality on the ground tells a different story. The President has repeatedly targeted Chicago, and we are now witnessing the consequences unfold in disturbing ways.
  In Chicago, these facilities are the site of reports that allege rushed deportations, inadequate medical care, restricted legal access, and poor conditions. These are not isolated incidents—they point to broader systemic failures in enforcement and facility oversight.
  • Joint letter published with Jonathan Jackson, U.S. Representative for the Illinois 1st Congressional District, to Kristi Noem, 23 June 2025

• Some of the individuals lured to ICE facilities in Chicago were reportedly detained for several days under inhumane conditions. One of those detained, Ms. Gladis Yolanda Chavez Pineda—a longtime Chicago resident and respected community leader—described a harrowing experience. Her husband stated in an interview, “She has not had access to a shower. She has not had access to feminine hygiene products. She has not been able to change her clothes...They have no information of what’s happening. They don’t even have a clock.” After being moved to a jail in Kentucky, Pineda reported that “People are sleeping on concrete floors. Last Sunday, one mattress was given to a group of 20 mothers to share. In one of the facilities, only one bathroom is given to 20 or more individuals, with no partitions and privacy.” These reports reflect systemic issues in ICE’s enforcement strategies and facility management, not just in Illinois but across the country.
  • Joint letter published with Jonathan Jackson, U.S. Representative for the Illinois 1st Congressional District, to Kristi Noem, 23 June 2025

• This is in our backyard. Hoffman Estates. My district. I am deeply disturbed by what looks like ICE agents violently detaining a child. A child. She could be yours just as she could be mine. My team and I are looking into this, but please don’t look away. This is what Donald Trump is doing to our communities — and it’s exactly why I’ve called to subpoena Kristi Noem to appear before the House Oversight Committee. I demand answers on this now.
  • Press release on 11 October 2025[19]