It would require the Justice Department to expedite reviews of hate crimes related to Covid-19 amid a spike in violence against Asian Americans.
Rep. Grace Meng, a New York Democrat and co-author of the bill, said "the past year and a half has been one of pain and struggle, marked by despicable and sickening acts of hate and violence against the Asian American community."
"The Asian American community is exhausted from being forced to endure this rise in bigotry and racist attacks. Asian Americans are tired of living in fear and being frightened about their kids or elderly parents going outside," she told reporters Tuesday. "People often ask what Congress is doing about this, and we are here today to say that Congress is taking action."
Biden has supported the bill and plans to sign it. Last month, the Office of Management and Budget said the measure would "stand up for America's values by standing strongly against anti-Asian xenophobia and hate." Racist comments about the virus's origins in China have led to scapegoating and violence against Asian Americans in the roughly 14 months since the pandemic started. Former President Donald Trump and his allies in Congress contributed to the wave of incendiary rhetoric about China when Covid-19 first reached the U.S.
Hate crimes against Asian Americans reported to police spiked by 164% in 16 of the largest U.S. cities during the first quarter of 2021 compared with the previous year, according to