(Image source from: The Financial Express)

An Indian American Democratic Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi has been appointed as a member of a congressional committee on intelligence.

Krishnamoorthi, 45, who represents Illinois 8th congressional district in the House, has become the first South Asian to serve in the powerful body tasked to beef up America's national security.

Apart from Krishnamoorthi, Val Demings of Florida, Sean Patrick Maloney of New York and Peter Welch of Vermont were chosen as the four new Democratic members of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI) for the 116th Congress.

The HPSCI is tasked with being in charge of the activities and budget of the 17 intelligence agencies of the United States.

Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi appointed Krishnamoorthi Wednesday. Pelosi said: "Our new members of the Intelligence Committee bring exceptional judgment, expertise and determination to our mission to honor that oath and, guided by the strong, principled leadership of Chairman Adam Schiff, will restore the long tradition of bipartisanship and integrity of this critical committee.

"We look forward to the many contributions these new members will bring to Democrats' work to strengthen America's national security and defend our democracy".

Krishnamoorthi, after Pelosi announced his appointment, said: "It is very humbling to be chosen to serve on the Intelligence Committee in this Congress, and I am ready to join with my colleagues in preserving the safety and security of our nation".

"The intelligence challenges and international threats facing our country today are vast, ranging from terrorism to cyber warfare to investigating Russia’s previous and continuing attempts to sabotage our democracy.

"I am honored that the Speaker and Caucus have placed their trust in me and the contributions I'll make to the Committee. When I took the oath of office, I swore to protect and defend the Constitution from all threats, foreign and domestic, and I know that the work we do under the leadership of Chairman Adam Schiff will fulfill that solemn duty," Krishnamoorthi said.

Born in New Delhi, a North Indian state of India, to a Tamil-speaking family has moved to Buffalo New York when he was three months aged. Krishnamoorthi attended Princeton University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. He also attended Harvard Law School.

-Sowmya Sangam