Democrat party leaders had delayed a vote on Murthy's confirmation until the lame duck session fearing some party members running for re-election from conservative states may not vote for him. Several members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) welcomed Murthy's confirmation.

The lone Indian-American Congressman Ami Bera, CAPAC Health Care Task Force Co-Chair, called Murthy "an excellent choice for this role" saying "his appointment is historic for the Indian American community." CAPAC Chair Judy Chu said Murthy's confirmation "is a testament to both his own distinguished career and the great strides made by the Asian American and Pacific Islander community." Joseph Crowley, Democratic Co-Chair of Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans said "the confirmation of the first surgeon general of Indian descent is a victory for the entire Indian-American community, whose young children will grow up knowing that anything is within their reach."

Congresswoman Grace Meng said Murthy's confirmation just a week after that of Richard Verma as the first Indian-American ambassador to India illustrated "the continued growth and influence of Indian-American community, and highlights the exceptional contributions that Indian-Americans make to our nation.”