US House of Representatives Embraces its Fourth Muslim American

Lateefah Simon of California has officially begun her term in the 119th Congress, becoming the fourth Muslim American to serve in the US House of Representatives, New Arab Reported.

She took office on January 3, joining Representatives Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar, and André Carson, marking a notable increase in Muslim representation in Congress.

Robert McCaw, government affairs director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, praised Simon’s election as a significant step for American Muslims, especially in the face of rising Islamophobia. He emphasized that her presence, alongside her colleagues, reflects the community’s resilience and commitment to justice.

Simon, a long-time community organizer from the San Francisco Bay Area, succeeds Barbara Lee, who left to run for the US Senate. Her background includes work in criminal justice reform and service on various boards, including California’s state university system and the Bay Area Rapid Transportation (BART) board.

Since taking office, Simon has joined several committees, including Oversight and Accountability, Small Business, and various caucuses focused on progressive and social issues.