Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) will step aside later this month as Ranking Member of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, marking the end of a three-year stretch in which he helped shape the panel from its inception.
Krishnamoorthi, who has led Democrats on the committee since its early days, said he has already informed House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of his decision.
“I have informed Leader Hakeem Jeffries of my intention to step down as Ranking Member of the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party later this month,” he said in a statement.
Reflecting on his tenure, Krishnamoorthi expressed gratitude to Jeffries for entrusting him with the role, underscoring the historic nature of his appointment.
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“First, I am deeply grateful for the confidence Leader Hakeem Jeffries placed in me to lead House Democrats on this Committee for the past three years. His decision to appoint the first South Asian American to ever lead a congressional Committee, as Chair or Ranking Member, will stand as part of his enduring legacy and reflect his commitment to expanding opportunity and representation in the United States House of Representatives.”
He also acknowledged the bipartisan makeup of the committee and the seriousness with which members approached an issue that has become central to U.S. foreign and economic policy.
“Second, I want to thank the dedicated and thoughtful members of this Committee during the 118th and 119th Congresses. They brought seriousness, expertise, and a strong sense of responsibility to work that often carried significant national and global consequences. While we did not always agree, we consistently found ways to collaborate, seek common ground, and focus on strengthening America’s long-term competitiveness and security.”
A significant portion of his message was devoted to the committee’s staff, whom he credited with driving much of the panel’s substantive work.
“Third, I want to thank the extraordinary Committee staff. They approached this work with rigor, humility, and an unwavering sense of purpose. Their focus was not only on confronting the challenges posed by the Chinese Communist Party, but on advancing policies that unlock American innovation, protect workers and consumers, and ensure that the United States remains the world’s leading economic and technological power.”
Under Krishnamoorthi’s leadership, the committee pushed a range of policy initiatives aimed at safeguarding U.S. interests, from supply chain security to preventing American capital and technology from aiding strategic rivals.
“I am proud of what we accomplished together. We built a credible, bipartisan Committee that strengthened U.S. economic and national security while keeping American competitiveness at the center of our work,” he said, adding that the panel focused on countering forced labor, economic coercion, and threats to critical industries.
Looking ahead, Krishnamoorthi framed U.S.-China relations as a long-term test that requires balance rather than rhetoric.
“The challenge posed by China is among the defining tests of our time. It spans the economic, technological, and military domains, and it defies easy answers,” he said, calling for “nuance and seriousness” and warning against responses driven by fear or prejudice.
While he is stepping down from the leadership role, Krishnamoorthi signaled that he will remain engaged with the committee’s work and expressed confidence in its future direction.
“I am confident that Leader Jeffries will make an excellent decision in appointing my successor, and I look forward to working closely with them to ensure that Democrats on this Committee continue to succeed, advancing policies that allow the United States to compete and win while remaining firmly grounded in the values that define us.”