Rohit "Ro" Khanna is an American politician and attorney serving as the U.S. Representative for California’s 17th Congressional District (Silicon Valley) since 2017. He is a Democrat and first won the seat in the November 8, 2016 general election, defeating incumbent Rep. Mike Honda.
Khanna was born in Philadelphia to parents who immigrated from Punjab, India. He graduated from Council Rock High School (1994), earned a B.A. in Economics from the University of Chicago (1998), and received a J.D. from Yale Law School (2001). After law school, he clerked for a federal appeals judge and worked in private practice focused on intellectual property law.
From August 2009 to August 2011, he served in the Obama administration as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce, a role that included work on domestic manufacturing and export promotion. After leaving the Department of Commerce, he worked in Silicon Valley and taught as a visiting lecturer of economics at Stanford University.
In Congress, Khanna has focused heavily on technology policy, industrial strategy, competition policy, and workforce development, including proposals connected to broadband access, research and innovation funding, and advanced manufacturing. He has described his approach as “progressive capitalism” and has used the phrase “new economic patriotism” to frame an agenda that combines pro-innovation policy with labor protections and expanded social programs.
On foreign policy and national security, Khanna is frequently associated with a restraint-oriented posture and has supported expanded congressional oversight of U.S. military engagements. He has also been active on climate-related oversight and energy policy debates, including high-profile hearings and investigations.
Progressive
Achievements
- Served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce during the Obama administration (2009–2011).
- Has advanced policy work on technology and competition issues, including privacy, broadband, research funding, and industrial policy frameworks.
- Participated in climate and energy oversight initiatives, including major hearings and investigations.
- Achieved nationwide coverage over his and Rep. Thomas Massie's leadership involving the release of the Epstein Files.
Controversies
- Has faced criticism over the balance between tech-sector fundraising and tougher regulation of major firms.
- Some observers argue his regulatory approach to privacy and emerging technology can be too industry-aligned; others argue it is overly aggressive toward large platforms.
- His restraint-leaning foreign policy positions have drawn pushback from interventionists and some party leadership.
- Critics sometimes characterize his ideological branding (pro-innovation + progressive redistribution) as politically ambiguous.
Top Donors
| Donor | Total | Individuals | PACs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Inc | $185,752 | $185,752 | $0 |
| Apple Inc | $59,556 | $59,556 | $0 |
| Stanford University | $50,254 | $50,254 | $0 |
| JStreetPAC | $46,950 | $46,950 | $0 |
| Andreessen Horowitz | $40,600 | $40,600 | $0 |
Donor totals reflect reported contributions by source category and may vary by cycle and dataset.