Ayesha Wahab becomes first Afghan-American to serve in US Congress
Ayesha Wahab, a former California state senator, was sworn in on Wednesday as a member of the US House of Representatives, becoming the first person of Afghan descent to serve in Congress.
The 39-year-old will complete the remainder of former representative Eric Swalwell’s term in this district through the end of the current calendar year. Swalwell resigned in April after several women accused him of sexual misconduct.
In her speech after taking the oath, Wahab referred to her life journey from the foster care system to Congress, saying that a person’s past does not determine their future. She said: “I entered Congress carrying the beating heart of a child who had grown up in foster families.”
Ayesha Wahab was born in New York to an Afghan refugee family. She grew up in the foster care system, first in New York and then in Fremont, California, and has previously served on the Hayward City Council and as the representative for California’s 10th State Senate district.
In the rest of her speech, she stressed cooperation between Democrats and Republicans, saying Americans are facing rising costs for housing, city services, food, education, healthcare and other basic needs. According to her, her aim is to work with both parties to serve the people of the United States.
California Democratic Representative Zoe Lofgren introduced Wahab on the House floor and referred to her background in supporting children in foster care and vulnerable communities. Lofgren said: “Today, she makes history by becoming the first Afghan-American elected to Congress.”
Wahab holds a doctorate in social work from the University of Southern California. The House of Representatives is part of the US Congress and, alongside the Senate, plays the main role in federal lawmaking.
