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Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) lawmakers and advocacy groups largely applauded the Senate after a bipartisan bill intended to address the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes soared through the chamber on Thursday. The House is expected to take up the measure in May during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
- “Today’s historic, bipartisan vote on the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act sends a powerful message of solidarity to the AAPI community—that the United States Senate rejects anti-Asian hate,” Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) said. “I urge the House to swiftly pass this legislation so the bill can go to President Biden to sign into law.”
- “I’m proud to have helped Senator Hirono introduce this important legislation to strengthen our enforcement of existing hate crime laws and support victims of this senseless, misguided violence,” Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois) added. “It is long past time to break the cycle of discrimination against Asian Americans and I will continue working to make this legislation law.”
- “For more than a year, Asian Americans all across our nation have been screaming out for help,” said Rep. Grace Meng (D-New York). “I thank and applaud each and every senator who voted to pass our bill which was a bold step in taking action to combat the ongoing hate and violence against Asian Americans.”
- The National Council of Asian Pacific Americans said that the bill would make “long-overdue improvements to the government’s response to hate crimes” but noted that “we need a deeper commitment to invest in our communities, outside of law enforcement-based solutions, so that we can address the sources of violence, not just the aftermath.”
- “This is an incredibly important victory and legislation for the Asian American community,” tweeted Sabrina Singh, deputy press secretary for Vice President Kamala Harris.
- “The COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act provides the necessary language access provisions to support the limited English proficient members of our community,” Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC said in a statement. “Language support and linguistically appropriate and culturally competent education and outreach are vital for assisting Asian Americans who have been impacted by hate in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.”
- “Ending Asian hate should never be a partisan issue. Passing this bill is just the first step in a long process for AAPI’s and communities of color to have the equity and opportunities we deserve,” said AAPI Victory Alliance Executive Director Varun Nikore. “We’ve come so far but still have so much more work to do.”
