WASHINGTON (TIP): Tulsi Gabbard, the first Hindu lawmaker in the US Congress, has been elected the co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans. She succeeds her Democratic congressional colleague Indian-American Dr Ami Bera.

Tulsi was elected in 2012 to the United States House of Representatives, serving Hawaii’s 2nd District. She is one of the first two female combat veterans to ever serve in the U.S. Congress, and its first and only Hindu member.

An advocate for environmental policy, Tulsi was elected to the Hawai ‘i State Legislature in 2002 when she was just 21 years old, becoming the youngest person ever elected in the state. A year later, she joined the Hawai’i Army National Guard to serve Hawai’i and our country. In 2004, Tulsi volunteered to deploy with her fellow soldiers, becoming the first state official to voluntarily step down from public office to serve in a war zone.

Tulsi served in the U.S. Senate as a legislative aide to Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI), where she advised him on energy independence, homeland security, the environment, and veteran issues. Tulsi serves on the House Armed Services Committee and House Foreign Affairs Committee where she is a strong advocate for veterans.