Ami Bera

Congressman Ami Bera represents California’s 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. The 7th district is located just east of California’s capitol city, Sacramento, and is one of the most vibrant and ethnically diverse districts in the country. A first-generation American born and raised in California, Bera is guided by a desire to serve his community. It’s that commitment to service that led him to become a doctor and later run for Congress.

Congressman Bera grew up believing America was a land of opportunity, where if you worked hard and played by the rules, you could reach your full potential. He attended California’s public schools from grammar school through medical school, earning both his B.S. and M.D. from the University of California, Irvine. He put himself through medical school, working part-time, taking advantage of federally-funded student loans, and graduating with less than $10,000 in debt. He credits much of his success to his country’s investment in him, and he’s working to ensure that we continue to invest in hard working Americans to keep the American Dream alive for the next generation.

During Congressman Bera's twenty-year medical career, he worked to improve the availability, quality, and affordability of healthcare. After graduating from medical school in 1991, he did his residency in internal medicine at California Pacific Medical Center, eventually becoming chief resident. He went on to practice medicine in the Sacramento area, serving in various leadership roles for MedClinic Medical Group. Chief among his contributions was improving the clinical efficiency of the practice. He then served as medical director of care management for Mercy Healthcare, where he developed and implemented a comprehensive care management strategy for the seven-hospital system.

Congressman Bera went on to put his medical experience to work for his community, serving Sacramento County as chief medical officer. In that role, he fought to reduce the cost of health care, create jobs, and deliver care to tens of thousands of Sacramento residents. He then moved into education, working as clinical professor of medicine and associate dean for admissions and outreach at University of California, Davis, where he taught the next generation of doctors. He also helped the University’s student-run clinics find innovative ways to engage with the community and deliver care to those who needed it most.

In Congress, Bera uses the skills he learned as a doctor to listen to the people of Sacramento County and to put their interests first. His top priority is to build an economy that works for the middle class by working with his colleagues regardless of party. That’s why he’s an original co-sponsor of No Budget No Pay, legislation that says if Congress doesn’t do its job and work together to pass a responsible budget, members don’t get paid.

Congressman Bera is focused on creating jobs in Sacramento County by diversifying the region’s economy. As a member of the House Committee on Science Space and Technology he is working to foster innovative industries that can bring jobs to the 7th district. On the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, he’s developing relationships with fast-growing countries that are natural, growing markets for products, especially agricultural, that are made in the 7th district.

Congressman Bera is a member of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans. He is also a member of the New Democrat Coalition, a group of legislators dedicated to maintaining America’s standing as the world’s strongest, most successful nation. His work with the New Dems is focused on finding ways to foster and harness American creativity and ingenuity so that it leads to new American jobs, greater economic prosperity, and a safer and more secure future for our country.

Congressman Bera is the only Indian American currently serving in Congress. He has lived in Elk Grove, California for 16 years with his wife Janine, who is also a medical doctor. They are proud parents to their 16-year-old daughter, Sydra.