The US Congress made headlines on Tuesday after voting overwhelmingly to force the release of Justice Department files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The House passed the measure 427–1, and the Senate also approved it. The bill now awaits final approval from the President. While the decision itself captured national attention, one of the strongest voices supporting the release was Rep. Ro Khanna, who believes the vote highlights his growing influence in American politics. Khanna even suggested to CNN that this moment strengthens his standing as a potential Democratic leader and maybe even a 2028 presidential candidate.
Who is Ro Khanna?
Rohit “Ro” Khanna, 45, is an Indian-origin American politician and attorney who represents California’s 17th Congressional District, which includes Silicon Valley. First elected in 2016, he is now serving his third term in Congress. Before entering elected office, Khanna worked in academia as a Lecturer in Economics at Stanford University and an Adjunct Professor at Santa Clara Law School. He is also an author with two published books, Entrepreneurial Nation and Dignity in a Digital Age, both of which explore issues related to technology, innovation, and the future of the American economy.
Early life and family background
Ro Khanna was born in September 1976 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Indian immigrant parents from a Punjabi Hindu family. His father is a chemical engineer, and his mother is a former schoolteacher. His maternal grandfather, Amarnath Vidyalankar, played a role in India’s freedom movement and worked alongside Lala Lajpat Rai. Khanna is married to Ritu Khanna, also an Indian-American, and the couple has two children. They live in Fremont, California.
Education and net worth
Khanna graduated from Council Rock High School in Bucks County in 1994. He went on to earn a BA in economics from the University of Chicago, graduating Phi Beta Kappa, and later received his law degree from Yale University. According to a 2018 report by San Jose Inside, Khanna had a net worth of around $27 million, making him one of the wealthiest members of California’s congressional delegation at the time.
A rising figure in US politics
With his growing national presence, Khanna has become a frequent Democratic voice on major political issues and interviews. His willingness to work with Republicans and speak across party lines is something he believes adds to his credibility as a future leader. His vocal support in the successful vote to release the Epstein files has placed him firmly under the political spotlight, a position he seems prepared to build on as discussions about the 2028 presidential race slowly begin taking shape.
