Senate advances measure to curb anti-Asian American hate crimes

The Senate voted to advance Asian American hate crime legislation on Wednesday despite criticisms from some Republicans that the measure is a messaging bill that could result in federal overreach.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said the bill was urgently needed to address anti-Asian hate crimes that have surged in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic that originated in China.

“It is a very straightforward and relatively modest bill to address a pressing and important issue in the country,” Schumer said. “It would designate a point person at the Justice Department to identify hate crimes towards Asian Americans related to COVID-19 — telling federal law enforcement to make these hate crimes a top priority during the pandemic.”