Rohit Khanna, also known as Ro Khanna, is an American lawyer and Democratic politician currently serving as the US Representative from California’s 17th district. With a background in law and experience in the US Department of Commerce, Khanna has been actively involved in creating jobs in the manufacturing and technology sectors. He has also been a strong advocate for labor reforms, environmental policies, and drafted the Internet Bill of Rights. Inspired by his grandfather’s involvement in Mahatma Gandhi’s Indian independence movement, Khanna has dedicated his career to serving the people. A former law practitioner and educator, Khanna now resides in Fremont, California, and is a proud father of two.
Quick Facts
- Also Known As: Rohit Khanna
- Age: 47 Years, 47 Year Old Males
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: Ritu Khanna
- Children: Soren, Zara
- Born Country: United States
- Political Leaders
- American Men
- U.S. State: Pennsylvania
- Education:
- Yale University
- University Of Chicago
- Council Rock High School North
Childhood, Early Life & Education
Ro Khanna was born Rohit Khanna on September 13, 1976, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US. He grew up in a middle-class Indian Punjabi Hindu family. His parents had immigrated to the US from India in the 1970s. His father was a chemical engineer from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and his mother worked as a substitute teacher. Khanna’s interest in politics was influenced by his grandfather’s involvement in Mahatma Gandhi’s independence movement in India.
Khanna attended Council Rock High School North in Newtown, Bucks County, and graduated in 1994. He then went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from the University of Chicago in 1998. During his time at the university, he was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa fraternity. In 2001, Khanna obtained a Juris Doctor from Yale Law School and worked as a clerk for a federal appeals judge in Little Rock, Arkansas. He also established himself as an intellectual property lawyer.
Early Career in Politics, Law, and Academia
While studying at the University of Chicago, Khanna supported Barack Obama’s campaign for the Illinois Senate in 1996. In 2009, he was appointed as the Deputy Assistant Secretary at the US Department of Commerce by President Obama. In this role, Khanna organized clean technology trade missions and expanded the Green Embassy program. He also served on the White House Business Council and the California Workforce Development Board.
Before being elected to Congress, Khanna worked as a lecturer of economics at Stanford University and as an adjunct professor at Santa Clara Law School. He also taught courses in American jurisprudence at San Francisco State University. Khanna was actively involved in various organizations, including Planned Parenthood Mar Monte and the Mississippi Center for Justice.
Late Political Career
Ro Khanna was elected to the US Congress in 2016 and assumed office as a Member of the US House of Representatives from California’s 17th district on January 3, 2017. He has been a progressive voice in the House, advocating for manufacturing and technology leadership in the US. Khanna has focused on improving the quality of life for the American working class and promoting issues such as human rights, climate change, and diplomacy.
During his time in Congress, Khanna has served on several committees, including the House Armed Services Committee, the Subcommittee on Cyber, Innovative Technologies and Information Systems, and the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the US and the Chinese Communist Party. He has been a strong advocate for investing in science and technology, creating technology jobs, and revitalizing the US manufacturing and production sectors.
Khanna has authored and supported various legislations and policies, including the Endless Frontier Act, the Yemen War Powers Resolution, the Internet Bill of Rights, and the Essential Workers Bill of Rights. He has also been involved in addressing climate change and protecting the US food supply.
Personal Life
Ro Khanna married Ritu Khanna (née Ahuja) in 2015. Ritu is an Indian-American and the daughter of industrialist Monte Ahuja. They have two children together and reside in Fremont, California. In his free time, Khanna enjoys traveling, watching movies, and supporting the Golden State Warriors basketball team. He has also authored two books on topics related to entrepreneurship and digital age dignity.