US Moves Closer to Passing Asian Hate Crime Prevention Act with Overwhelming Senate Support

by Paek Jongmin

Published 23 Apr.2021 05:33(KST)

Official Enforcement Upon Biden's Signature After Passing the House

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The U.S. Senate on the 22nd (local time) passed the bipartisan legislation to prevent hate crimes against Asian Americans. Although some Republican lawmakers were expected to oppose the bill, it passed with overwhelming support, increasing the likelihood that it will become official law after passing the House of Representatives.

Chuck Schumer, the Senate Majority Leader of the U.S. Democratic Party, is announcing the promotion of legislation to prevent hate crimes against Asian Americans in Koreatown, Manhattan, New York, and taking a commemorative photo.

On the 22nd (local time), the Senate voted on the bill prepared to respond to the increase in hate crimes against Asian Americans and passed it by 94 to 1. Most Republican senators, who hold half of the Senate's 50 seats, also voted in favor.

The bill stipulates that the Department of Justice will conduct reviews of hate crimes, that state and local governments will establish systems to report hate crimes online, and that public education will be expanded to raise awareness of hate attacks. It also includes provisions to support grants for state governments to set up hotlines for reporting hate crimes and to improve training for identifying hate crimes.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of the Democratic Party said regarding the passage of this bill that it sends a very clear message to America, emphasizing, "Hate crimes are unacceptable, and federal law enforcement officers will do everything within their authority to detect and suppress them."

Leader Schumer had previously strongly emphasized the passage of the hate crimes bill against Asian Americans at a press conference held in front of Koreatown in Manhattan, New York City.

The bill is certain to pass the House, where the Democrats hold the majority. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, has announced that the House will handle this bill next month.