Heard on the Hill

Aaron Schock Returns to Hill for Indian Prime Minister

Former Illinois congressman was in the House chamber for rare address

Former Illinois Rep. Aaron Schock on the House floor after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a joint meeting of Congress on Wednesday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Former Illinois Rep. Aaron Schock on the House floor after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a joint meeting of Congress on Wednesday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
By Alex Gangitano
Posted June 8, 2016 at 11:35am

As House members and senators gathered for a rare joint meeting with India’s prime minister Wednesday, Aaron Schock made his presence known .  

The former Illinois congressman stood in the seventh aisle, among members, as senators walked into the House chamber for the meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India.  

Schock, a Republican, who resigned in March 2015 amid an ethics inquiry into lavish spending, spoke with Washington GOP Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers during the entire procession, and the two never turned to greet any of the senators.  

Once Speaker Paul D. Ryan of Wisconsin began the meeting to welcome the president’s cabinet, followed by Modi, McMorris Rodgers joined the leadership team to enter with the prime minister. Schock remained in his original position.  

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While in Congress, Schock was a member of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans.  

Seated in front of Schock was Texas GOP Rep. Pete Olson, wearing a traditional Indian bandi jacket over his white, button-down shirt, a nod to the sizable number of Indian immigrants in his district.   

Texas Rep. Pete Olson sports a bandi jacket on the House floor before an address by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to a joint meeting of Congress. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Texas Rep. Pete Olson sports a bandi jacket on the House floor before an address by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to a joint meeting of Congress. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

Schock’s former seat is now held by fellow Republican, Darin LaHood .  


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