Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) are a critical part of our nation’s growth and success. With nearly 18 million Americans that identify themselves with an Asian or Pacific Islander background, AAPIs are one of the fastest growing communities in the United States. Representing many ethnic backgrounds, speaking different languages, and belonging to a number of different religions and cultures, AAPIs' diversity adds to the beauty and strength of our country.

House Democrats are working with President Obama to advance and support the AAPI community.  The 111th Congress enacted the HIRE Act and the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act to create jobs and provide tax relief for the 1.5 million AAPI-owned businesses. 

Unfortunately, during the 112th Congress we have yet to see a single bill or action taken by the new majority to create jobs. Instead of a jobs agenda, Congressional Republicans continue to focus on protecting tax cuts for Big Oil companies, which are making record profits and ending Medicare as we know it. Democratic Members will continue fighting for the priorities of the AAPI community: creating jobs, strengthening the middle class and responsibly reducing the deficit.

In addition to not focusing on job creation, House Republicans passed a budget that recklessly cuts important investments in education, quality, affordable health care and older Americans’ retirement security that would affect all Americans from students to seniors.

House Republican Budget Ends Medicare & Medicaid As We Know It

• H.Con.Res.34 destroys Medicare’s guaranteed benefits by turning Medicare into a voucher program – seniors would be given a coupon for the purchase of private insurance, forcing them to pay nearly three times more for their Medicare benefits by 2030. Nearly 1 million AAPIs received Medicare benefits in 2009.
• H.Con.Res.34 cuts nearly $800 billion from Medicaid and turns it into a block grant program, shifting healthcare costs to the states and causing seniors, the disabled and modest income families to receive less health care coverage and limit their choice of doctors. Medicaid provides health care to nearly one in seven AAPIs under 65 years old and nearly 25 percent of all AAPI children.

House Republican Budget Slashes Educational Opportunities for Young People

• The 111th Democratic Congress made college more affordable by increasing the maximum Pell Grant from $5,550 to $5,975 per eligible student by 2017. H.Con.Res.34 closes the door to college with the largest cuts in the history of Pell Grants. It cuts college aid for nearly 10 million students, slashing the maximum Pell Grant award by more than $2,500 (about 45 percent) from the current $5,500 – to the lowest level in more than a decade, resulting in almost 1.4 million students losing eligibility for Pell grants. This reduction would disproportionately harm the 22% of AAPI undergraduates receiving Pell Grants and cause fewer to attend college and complete their higher education.

House Republican Budget Cuts Social Security Benefits

• H.Con.Res.34 proposes an unprecedented process to "force" Social Security benefit cuts. Any substantial reduction in benefits would throw many of the 33% of AAPI seniors who rely on Social Security for 90% or more of their income into great economic insecurity.

Recent News

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month - 5/1/12
Democratic Leader Pelosi released the following statement honoring Asian Pacific American Heritage Month:

Asian Pacific Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of the AAPI community and the great diversity of our nation.  Americans from Asia and the Pacific Islands have overcome persecution and prejudice to serve as leaders and patriots. 

In recent months, I participated with great pride in ceremonies in Washington and in San Francisco to award the Congressional Gold Medal – the highest award Congress can bestow – to the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service.  The cause of these brave patriots was not just the end of fascism, but the end of discrimination: they fought on behalf of the American ideal of equality, which is our heritage and our hope. 

The Affordable Care Act, a landmark accomplishment for Democrats in Congress, continues to provide benefits to the AAPI community, and indeed all Americans.  By helping end health disparities and tackling public health concerns like Hepatitis B, this legislation is creating a healthier America. 

In America, the beauty is in the mix.  This is demonstrated in the diversity of my district – the beautiful city of San Francisco – and from coast to coast.  As the fastest-growing population in the U.S., Asian and Pacific Islander Americans will continue to help shape and define our future, and this month in particular we celebrate their rich contributions and vibrant communities.

Lunar New Year - 1/23/12
Democratic Leader Pelosi released the following statement in recognition of the Lunar New Year:

On the Lunar New Year, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders mark the opportunity to remember the trials and joys of the past year and to look forward to the Year of the Dragon’s new beginnings and new opportunities.  In San Francisco and in Asian American communities across the country, it is a celebration of heritage and rich cultural ties; for all Americans, it is an opportunity for us to express gratitude for the diversity of our nation.

As Lunar New Year celebrations light up San Francisco’s Chinatown, and festivities inclusive of Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean and Tibetan families welcome this new start, I feel particular pride to represent one of the largest, strongest, and most vibrant AAPI communities in the country in Congress.  From Lunar New Year to Losar and other celebrations, San Franciscans take shared pride in our diversity.

In the Year of the Dragon, may those celebrating enjoy family togetherness, health, and good fortune.  This year, may all Americans be blessed with success, prosperity, and good luck.  Gung Hay Fat Choy to all!

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month - 5/1/11
Democratic Leader Pelosi released the following statement honoring Asian Pacific American Heritage Month:

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of the AAPI community, their contributions to our culture and economy, their central place in our history and in our future.

Over the course of many generations, Americans from Asia and the Pacific Islands have overcome persecution, prejudice, and oppression to become leaders in business and academia, in public service and athletics.  The AAPI community is a reflection of our strength and diversity as a nation, our progress as a society, our hopes for a future enriched by people of all backgrounds.

In few places is this truer than my home town of San Francisco.  As the census informed us, our AAPI community is large, vibrant, and growing, adding to the beautiful mix of cultures strengthening our city.  Just last week, I was honored to help cut the ribbon on Nihonmachi Terrace, providing affordable housing to AAPI seniors in the heart of San Francisco’s Japantown.

During this Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, let us honor the thriving, dynamic AAPI community throughout our country.  Let us recognize the vital role of those from Asia and the Pacific Islands in our culture.  And let us recommit ourselves to the value of pluralism in our society – the promise that out of many, we truly are one nation.

Lunar New Year - 2/22/11
Democratic Leader Pelosi released the following statement in recognition of the Lunar New Year:

The Lunar New Year is a marker of new beginnings and a fresh start for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders across the country.  It is a moment to celebrate a rich culture and a deep heritage; a time to reflect on the past year, embrace the possibilities of the future, and look forward to a year of hope and prosperity, optimism and opportunity. 

In San Francisco, we take pride in being home to one of the largest, strongest, most vibrant AAPI communities in the country, and some of the most festive Lunar New Year celebrations anywhere.  This year, we are particularly proud of the leadership of Mayor Ed Lee, our city’s first Asian-American mayor.

As a nation, in this year of the Rabbit, we must continue to honor our diversity as a source of strength.  We must stay true to our creed – that ‘out of many, we are one’ – and to our history of pluralism, equality, and civil rights for all.   And we will work together to address the challenges facing families of every background, create jobs for every worker, and advance the common good for every American.”

I offer my warmest wishes on the year of the Rabbit.

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