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Samosa Caucus outlines policy goals in New Year messages

From oversight and wages to immigration and health care, elected officials used New Year greetings to reflect on 2025 and signal priorities for the year ahead.

(Top L-R) Ami Bera, Ro Khanna, Suhas Subramanyam (Bottom L-R) Shri Thanedar, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Pramila Jayapal / File Photo

Several U.S. lawmakers used New Year messages to constituents to reflect on their work in 2025, outline policy priorities for 2026, and highlight constituent services, while also offering greetings to mark the start of the year.

California Congressman Ro Khanna struck a policy-focused tone, saying he had heard widespread concerns from constituents about fraud, waste, and abuse in state government. 

Also Read: Khanna, Thanedar condemn lynching of Bangladeshi Hindu worker

In a post on X, Khanna said he plans in 2026 to work on a bipartisan basis to seek oversight hearings on what he described as high-risk state government programs, including in California, and to pursue legislation calling for a full independent audit of the state’s budget. 

“Restoring TRUST in government is the highest priority,” Khanna wrote, while reiterating his support for higher taxes on wealthy Americans alongside stronger accountability and transparency in government spending.



Michigan Congressman Shri Thanedar linked his New Year message to wage policy, noting that Michigan will begin 2026 with a higher minimum wage. “It’s time to raise the national minimum wage,” Thanedar wrote, adding that the current federal minimum wage of $7.25 “isn’t enough for anyone.”



Washington Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal paired New Year greetings with a renewed call for action on health care, workers’ rights, and immigration.

“Our resolve is stronger than ever,” Jayapal wrote, adding that her 2026 priorities include lowering health care costs, protecting workers, and creating “clear, compassionate, humane pathways to citizenship.” 

She described immigrant justice as central to democracy and said, “Trump’s attacks on immigrants are attacks on ALL of us.”



Illinois Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi looked back on what he described as a “huge year” for his office, citing a statewide listening tour, the submission of more than 17,000 petition signatures, and community initiatives such as coat drives and food assistance efforts after cuts to SNAP during the Trump administration. He wished constituents good health, happiness, and prosperity in the new year.



Virginia Congressman Suhas Subramanyam highlighted his first year in office, pointing to town halls, casework, and funds returned to constituents.



“My team and I worked hard this year to deliver real results,” he wrote, adding that his office would continue to “stand up to attacks from this administration.” 

In separate posts, Subramanyam also thanked volunteers and local Democratic organizations for their role in recent election efforts.

California Congressman Ami Bera released year-end figures alongside his New Year message, saying his office responded to more than 34,000 constituent messages, held five town halls, and helped more than 4,000 Sacramento County residents resolve issues with federal agencies in 2025. 



“We remained accessible and responsive throughout the year,” Bera wrote, adding that his team participated in more than 150 in-district meetings and attended 75 community events.

The messages blended holiday greetings with reflections on governance, signaling that lawmakers are entering 2026 emphasizing accountability, constituent services, and policy priorities they say will shape the year ahead.

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