Pascrell Hails House Passage of COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act

Plan cosponsored by Pascrell will combat rise in Asian American discrimination and violence

WASHINGTON, DC – To combat the surge in discriminatory attacks on Asian American communities during the pandemic, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) today voted in favor of the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act.  Rep. Pascrell cosponsors a companion bill in the House. This legislation establishes greater federal government oversight of COVID-19 hate crimes, and requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to provide Congress with regular updates on the status of reported bias incidents.

“As COVID-19 ravaged our communities, we saw an unprecedented spike in pervasive bigotry directed at our neighbors of Asian descent. Violent conspiracy theorists sought baselessly to misplace blame for the virus. From the deadly shooting in Atlanta to bias incidents in North Jersey, these vicious and vile acts targeting Asian-American communities remain un-American, inhuman, and unacceptable,” said Rep. Pascrell. “Our COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act is a needed step to confront the abhorrent spike in racist and discriminatory sentiments coinciding with this pandemic. Congresswoman Grace Meng deserves praise for authoring this bill and guiding it to passage, and I am proud to stand beside her as a cosponsor. I know the vibrant Asian American communities across northern New Jersey add immeasurably to our social, economic, and cultural quilt. All Americans deserve to live in peace and happiness, free of hate. That is why during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, I look forward to seeing President Joe Biden sign this bill into law.”

Rep. Pascrell has supported this legislation since its original introduction in May 2020. He also helped pass a House resolution (H. Res. 908) condemning anti-Asian bigotry as related to the coronavirus pandemic and has repeatedly denounced racial stigmas being associated with the virus. Pascrell also recently participated in a Stop Asian Hate rally in Fort Lee.

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