Story at a glance
- The COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act was passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress.
- The legislation will assign an official in the Department of Justice to expedite the review of COVID-19-related hate crimes and require the agency to provide support to state and local authorities to bolster online reporting of incidents.
- The agency would also issue guidance to local authorities on mitigating the use of racially discriminatory language to describe the pandemic.
President Biden on Thursday signed a bill into law aimed at curbing the rise of hate crimes against Asian Americans that has occurred over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act was passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress, with the House approving the legislation 364-62 this week, following the Senate’s 94-1 vote last month.
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The bill was introduced by New York Democratic Rep. Grace Meng and Hawaii Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono.
The legislation will assign an official in the Department of Justice (DOJ) to expedite the review of COVID-19-related hate crimes and require the agency to provide support to state and local authorities to bolster online reporting of incidents.
The agency would also issue guidance to local authorities on mitigating the use of racially discriminatory language to describe the pandemic.
Thursday’s signing ceremony included dozens of lawmakers, Justice Department officials and advocacy groups and was the largest public indoor event at the Biden White House during the pandemic.
Biden praised lawmakers on both sides of the aisles for coming together to pass the bill and said he hopes it marks the end of a hyper-partisan era.
“For centuries, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, diverse and vibrant communities have helped build this nation only to be often stepped over, forgotten or ignored,” Biden said.
“My message to all of those who are hurting is: we see you. And the Congress has said we see you, and we are committed to stop the hatred and the bias,” he said, adding “I’m proud today.”
Vice President Harris, the first person of Asian descent to hold the office, thanked Congress members who worked on the legislation.
“This bill brings us one step closer to stopping hate, not only for Asian Americans, but for all Americans,” she said.
“After the president signs this bill today, we will not be done. Here’s the truth: Racism exists in America, xenophobia exists in America, anti semitism, Islamophobia, homophobia, transphobia, it all exists. And so the work to address injustice wherever it exists, remains the work ahead,” she said.
The legislation was prompted by a sharp rise in hate crimes and incidents against Asian Americans following the pandemic coming out of Wuhan, China. The spike followed a rise in racist rhetoric directed toward China over the origins of the coronavirus.
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