Athanasios Ellis
In today’s world, one of the most important force multipliers for the Greek world is its presence and political influence in the United States.
For many decades, the Greek American community has played a distinct role in the US political landscape. There is room for debate over just how significant that role is, what changes are needed in the way the diaspora is organized and operates, and how Athens and Nicosia should contribute to developing a long-term strategy.
What cannot be disputed is that a significant part of this influence stems from the presence in Congress of several politicians of Greek descent. There are currently seven: four Republicans and three Democrats.
It is particularly valuable that they almost always work across party lines on issues concerning Greece and Cyprus. After all, the two countries are among Washington’s most reliable partners in a volatile region, and the gradual US withdrawal from the area makes their role even more important.
To be strong and leave a meaningful political mark, a community must be present where decisions are made. Congress is perhaps the most important of those places, although think tanks, universities and other institutions also have an important role to play.
The case of Chris Pappas in New Hampshire is especially significant. One of the most active members of the House of Representatives, Pappas is not seeking re-election this time as one of its 435 members. Instead, he is running for the Senate, the country’s more powerful 100-member legislative chamber.
Pappas comfortably secured his party’s nomination in last Tuesday’s Democratic primary and is now focused on November’s election. He will face a Republican candidate who previously served in the state Senate and is the son of a popular New Hampshire governor from the 1980s.
For obvious reasons, the re-election of the other six Greek Americans to the House and Pappas’ election to the Senate would be highly valuable. Given the conflicts and threats currently facing our volatile region, it may be more important than ever.
His victory would once again give the Greek world representation in the upper chamber of Congress. That presence was maintained for decades by Democrat Paul Sarbanes and Republican Olympia Snowe, both of whom were widely respected and, at critical moments, used their influence with presidents from both parties to provide valuable support.
