The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

Bill to combat hate crimes against Asian Americans passes Senate with bipartisan support

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April 22, 2021 at 4:30 p.m. EDT
The Senate on April 22 passed legislation aimed at combatting violence against Asian Americans in the wake of the pandemic. (Video: Reuters)
correction

A previous version of this article misspelled Sen. Mazie Hirono’s name. The article has been corrected.

The Senate overwhelmingly passed legislation Thursday designed to more forcefully investigate hate crimes, particularly those against Asian Americans after the March 16 shootings at three Atlanta spas and a wave of violence following the spread of the coronavirus from China last year.

“To our Asian American friends: We will not tolerate bigotry against you. And to those perpetrating anti-Asian bigotry: We will pursue you to the fullest extent of the law. We cannot — we cannot — allow the recent tide of bigotry, intolerance and prejudice against Asian Americans go unchecked,” Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in a floor speech just before the vote.