Rep. Susie Lee Votes To Pass Bipartisan Legislation To Strengthen Defenses Against Hate Crimes, Protect AAPI Communities

Press Release

WASHINGTON -- Today, Rep. Susie Lee voted for S. 937, the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, landmark legislation that strengthens the nation's defenses against hate crimes committed against Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities.

"I was proud to vote to pass the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act today. For more than a year, heartbreaking incidents of hate crimes against Asian Americans have been on the rise, and it is clear we must do more to put an end to these hateful acts. Pandemic or no pandemic, I will always fight for southern Nevada's Asian American and Pacific Islander communities and stick up for my constituents when bigotry seeps into their lives. Fighting against hate should never be a partisan issue, and I was glad to see this bill pass with strong bipartisan support, both in the House and the Senate. This moment calls for unity and accountability--as Nevadans, Americans, and human beings."

Following the spread of COVID-19, there has been a dramatic increase in discrimination, hate crimes and violence targeted at Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. According to a new report issued on May 6, over the last year more than 6,600 reported hate crimes against Asian Americans have been reported across all 50 states, with many more going unreported.

This vital bill will speed up and strengthen our response to hate crimes, including requiring the designation of an official at the U.S. Department of Justice to conduct an expedited review of all COVID-related hate crimes. The bill also includes important provisions to improve the reporting of hate crimes, authorize grants to states to establish and run hate crime hotlines, support law enforcement agencies with training officers on how to identify hate crimes and help state and local governments develop a system for collecting hate crime data.

In April, S. 937 passed the Senate on a nearly unanimous vote, 94-1. After being approved today by the House, the legislation will go to President Biden's desk to be signed into law.

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