Anti-Asian hate crimes bill passes US Senate

New law would require the US Department of Justice to focus on prosecuting hate crimes amid surge in attacks.

The United States Senate passed a bill Thursday to combat the rise of hate crimes against Asians during the coronavirus pandemic, setting the stage for enactment of major new anti-hate-crime law. The measure, passed in the Senate by an overwhelming 94-1 majority, would direct a US Justice Department review of hate crimes and provide support for local law enforcement responding to violent incidents. In the past year, US police have seen a surge in racially motivated crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders including the shooting last month in Georgia that killed six women of Asian descent.