Asian American and Pacific Islander voices are about to grow louder on Capitol Hill. At least 22 AAPI lawmakers are set to join the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus next year, the largest group in the nation's history.

The caucus chair, Rep. Grace Meng of New York, called the midterms a historic step forward for representation. She said she looks forward to working with new colleagues to make sure Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander families are heard in the halls of power.

New faces, new firsts

Four newcomers have already won House seats and several of them broke barriers along the way.

Pia Dandiya, the daughter of Indian immigrants, won Florida's redrawn 22nd District. She is the first South Asian American elected to Congress from Florida and the first follower of the Jain faith ever elected to Congress.

Dan Koh, whose father is Korean American and whose mother is Lebanese American, will be the first Asian American to represent Massachusetts in Congress. He will succeed Rep. Seth Moulton in the state's 6th District.

Dr. Richard Pan, a pediatrician and former California state senator, is the first Chinese American elected to represent California's 6th District. In the Pacific, Alicia Garrido Limtiaco becomes the first CHamoru woman elected to represent Guam.

One more seat

The count could still climb. In Arizona, Democrat Dr. Amish Shah, an emergency room physician, was projected the winner of the open 1st District race over Republican Jay Feely after a tight count. Shah is the first Indian American elected from that Phoenix-area district. Caucus leaders had said a Shah win would push their AAPI membership to 23.

Thanks to those leaving

Meng also thanked two departing members, Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois and Shri Thanedar of Michigan, for years of service. She credited them with leading the fight against anti-South Asian hate and pushing back on harsh immigration policies.

The new class will be sworn in when the 120th Congress opens in January.