Fast Facts for April 19, 2021
The senate is set to vote tomorrow on a bill that would address the increase in Asian hate crimes and expedite the prosecution of those responsible.
After several amendments, and a deal between republicans and democrats, the bill would require the justice department to designate a point person whose sole responsibility it is to expedite the review these types of hate crimes based on someone’s perceived race, ethnicity, age, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or disability. The bill would also beef up state and local resources to handle these types of crimes, and make it easier for victims to report them, among other things.
a recent study found anti-Asian hate crimes rose by nearly 150% last year in 16 of the largest u-s cities.
The bill currently has bi-partisan support. The house speaker has endorsed the senate version and anticipates it’ll pass the house of representatives and go to the president’s desk for signature.
