Five Indianorigin leaders in 2017 Politico top 50 politicians list

Five Indian-Americans figure in the 2017 Politico 50 list for their noteworthy contributions to US politics.

Led by Donald Trump’s ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley, the list also comprises Seema Verma, who heads a top health care position in the Trump administration; lawyer Neal Katyal; economist Aparna Mathur; and lawyer Neomi Rao.

The list is topped by Steve Bannon, the former White House chief strategist.

Describing Haley as “Trump’s foreign policy good cop”, the magazine said she had quickly emerged as the security blanket that Republicans and even some Democrats can cling to when trying to grasp where the Trump administration stands on global affairs. She is at number 22.

“Haley’s commitment to both her boss in the White House and a traditional foreign policy can induce cognitive dissonance. She is focused on human rights, sounding off on everything from Venezuela to South Sudan, but dismisses suggestions that Trump — who seems indifferent — doesn’t care,” the article said.

She is followed by Verma at 26th spot as the administrator for the centre for medicare and medicaid services. Under her oversight, Medicaid could look quite different, whether or not Obamacare remains the law of the land, the magazine said.

Aparna Mathur is ranked 32 for making the conservative case for family leave. Neal Katyal is ranked 40 for being the “nemesis” of Trump’s travel ban.

Rao, Washington’s new regulatory czar, is ranked 42nd.