The Senate passed with a bipartisan majority a legislation that denounces discrimination against Asian people in the U.S., and establishing a new position at the Department of Justice to accelerate policies on potential pandemic-related hate crimes.
The COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act was passed in 94-1 vote Thursday, with the sole opposing vote coming from Republican Sen. Josh Hawley. Three Republicans and two Democratic senators did not vote.
The bill enables local and law enforcement agencies to respond to hate crimes and delivers guidance to combat discriminatory language related to the pandemic.
The legislation also includes an amendment that would improve the collection of hate crime information and create hate crime hotlines.
Hawley last week said the legislation was "hugely broad," contending that it "mandates all this data collection in expansive categories that the federal government will collect."
Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI), the legislation's co-author, said it is "not a controversial bill," ahead of the vote. "It focuses federal leadership to investigate and report hate crimes and other incidents, and provides resources for communities to stand against intolerance and hate."
The passage of the legislation comes as hate crimes against the Asian American and Pacific Islander community are on the rise.
Many called for action following the spate of shootings at multiple spas owned by Asian Americans in the Atlanta area last month. Eight people were killed in the incident, including six Asian women.
The legislation now heads to the House of Representatives, where it is expected to be approved with wide bipartisan support.
"Asian Americans across our nation have been screaming out for help, and the Senate showed that they heard our pleas," Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) said.
U.S. President Joe Biden has expressed enthusiasm for the bill and is expected to sign it into law when it reaches his desk.
Senators urged members of the House to take swift action to get the legislation passed.
