
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) cast the lone dissenting vote as the U.S. Senate voted 94-1 in favor of the Covid-19 Hate Crimes Act on April 22, 2021. (Photo: Graeme Jennings/Pool/Getty Images)
To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) cast the lone dissenting vote as the U.S. Senate voted 94-1 in favor of the Covid-19 Hate Crimes Act on April 22, 2021. (Photo: Graeme Jennings/Pool/Getty Images)
Responding to a surge in racist attacks on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders fueled by racist rhetoric from former President Donald Trump and the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. Senate on Thursday nearly unanimously approved a bill aimed at fighting anti-AAPI hate--with Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri casting the sole dissenting vote.
In a rare display of overwhelming Senate bipartisanship, the Covid-19 Hate Crimes Act, sponsored by Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii)--who in 2013 became the first Asian American woman elected to the upper chamber--passed by a vote of 94-1.
"This historic, bipartisan vote... is a powerful message of solidarity to our AAPI community," Hirono said following the measure's passage. "Now, I urge the House to swiftly pass this legislation so President [Joe] Biden can sign it into law."
\u201cPASSED: Today, the US Senate rejects anti-Asian hate.\n\nThis historic, bipartisan vote on the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act is a powerful message of solidarity to our AAPI community. Now, I urge the House to swiftly pass this legislation so President Biden can sign it into law.\u201d— Senator Mazie Hirono (@Senator Mazie Hirono) 1619116111
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), the only other Asian American woman currently in the Senate, recalled racist harassment endured by her mother and said that "this bill will allow me to go home to my mom and say we did something."
Hawley, a potential 2024 Republican presidential contender who helped incite the deadly January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and was one of the leading peddlers of the lie that the 2020 presidential election was "stolen" from Trump, offered no immediate response to queries about his "no" vote.
However, according to The Hill, Hawley previously told reporters he was concerned with the bill's scope, calling the measure "hugely open-ended."
"It just you know the ability and power to define crimes, to define incidents going forward, and collect all that data, it just seemed hugely, hugely overbroad," he said.
\u201cHawley is lone senator to vote against anti-Asian hate crime bill https://t.co/P4t81PcUt3\u201d— The Hill (@The Hill) 1619118965
AAPI advocates, however, welcomed the bill's passage. Advancing Justice-AAJC told Politico the bill would "provide much-needed support for individuals and communities impacted by hate and discrimination."
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights issued a statement applauding the Senate for "recognizing the urgency of this moment and the need to improve hate crimes reporting and invest in communities targeted for hate."
"More accurate reporting and data would help to create community-centered solutions to prevent and report hate crimes and help law enforcement carry out its duty to protect and serve communities targeted for hate," the group said, adding that "we... call on the House of Representatives to pass this important legislation so the president can sign it into law."
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Responding to a surge in racist attacks on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders fueled by racist rhetoric from former President Donald Trump and the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. Senate on Thursday nearly unanimously approved a bill aimed at fighting anti-AAPI hate--with Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri casting the sole dissenting vote.
In a rare display of overwhelming Senate bipartisanship, the Covid-19 Hate Crimes Act, sponsored by Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii)--who in 2013 became the first Asian American woman elected to the upper chamber--passed by a vote of 94-1.
"This historic, bipartisan vote... is a powerful message of solidarity to our AAPI community," Hirono said following the measure's passage. "Now, I urge the House to swiftly pass this legislation so President [Joe] Biden can sign it into law."
\u201cPASSED: Today, the US Senate rejects anti-Asian hate.\n\nThis historic, bipartisan vote on the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act is a powerful message of solidarity to our AAPI community. Now, I urge the House to swiftly pass this legislation so President Biden can sign it into law.\u201d— Senator Mazie Hirono (@Senator Mazie Hirono) 1619116111
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), the only other Asian American woman currently in the Senate, recalled racist harassment endured by her mother and said that "this bill will allow me to go home to my mom and say we did something."
Hawley, a potential 2024 Republican presidential contender who helped incite the deadly January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and was one of the leading peddlers of the lie that the 2020 presidential election was "stolen" from Trump, offered no immediate response to queries about his "no" vote.
However, according to The Hill, Hawley previously told reporters he was concerned with the bill's scope, calling the measure "hugely open-ended."
"It just you know the ability and power to define crimes, to define incidents going forward, and collect all that data, it just seemed hugely, hugely overbroad," he said.
\u201cHawley is lone senator to vote against anti-Asian hate crime bill https://t.co/P4t81PcUt3\u201d— The Hill (@The Hill) 1619118965
AAPI advocates, however, welcomed the bill's passage. Advancing Justice-AAJC told Politico the bill would "provide much-needed support for individuals and communities impacted by hate and discrimination."
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights issued a statement applauding the Senate for "recognizing the urgency of this moment and the need to improve hate crimes reporting and invest in communities targeted for hate."
"More accurate reporting and data would help to create community-centered solutions to prevent and report hate crimes and help law enforcement carry out its duty to protect and serve communities targeted for hate," the group said, adding that "we... call on the House of Representatives to pass this important legislation so the president can sign it into law."
Responding to a surge in racist attacks on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders fueled by racist rhetoric from former President Donald Trump and the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. Senate on Thursday nearly unanimously approved a bill aimed at fighting anti-AAPI hate--with Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri casting the sole dissenting vote.
In a rare display of overwhelming Senate bipartisanship, the Covid-19 Hate Crimes Act, sponsored by Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii)--who in 2013 became the first Asian American woman elected to the upper chamber--passed by a vote of 94-1.
"This historic, bipartisan vote... is a powerful message of solidarity to our AAPI community," Hirono said following the measure's passage. "Now, I urge the House to swiftly pass this legislation so President [Joe] Biden can sign it into law."
\u201cPASSED: Today, the US Senate rejects anti-Asian hate.\n\nThis historic, bipartisan vote on the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act is a powerful message of solidarity to our AAPI community. Now, I urge the House to swiftly pass this legislation so President Biden can sign it into law.\u201d— Senator Mazie Hirono (@Senator Mazie Hirono) 1619116111
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), the only other Asian American woman currently in the Senate, recalled racist harassment endured by her mother and said that "this bill will allow me to go home to my mom and say we did something."
Hawley, a potential 2024 Republican presidential contender who helped incite the deadly January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and was one of the leading peddlers of the lie that the 2020 presidential election was "stolen" from Trump, offered no immediate response to queries about his "no" vote.
However, according to The Hill, Hawley previously told reporters he was concerned with the bill's scope, calling the measure "hugely open-ended."
"It just you know the ability and power to define crimes, to define incidents going forward, and collect all that data, it just seemed hugely, hugely overbroad," he said.
\u201cHawley is lone senator to vote against anti-Asian hate crime bill https://t.co/P4t81PcUt3\u201d— The Hill (@The Hill) 1619118965
AAPI advocates, however, welcomed the bill's passage. Advancing Justice-AAJC told Politico the bill would "provide much-needed support for individuals and communities impacted by hate and discrimination."
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights issued a statement applauding the Senate for "recognizing the urgency of this moment and the need to improve hate crimes reporting and invest in communities targeted for hate."
"More accurate reporting and data would help to create community-centered solutions to prevent and report hate crimes and help law enforcement carry out its duty to protect and serve communities targeted for hate," the group said, adding that "we... call on the House of Representatives to pass this important legislation so the president can sign it into law."