Senators Collins, Hirono Announce Agreement on Updated, Bipartisan Language to Amend COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act

Washington, D.C. –Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) announced they have reached an agreement on language amending the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act to broaden bipartisan support while retaining the purpose of the bill.

“Crimes motivated by bias against race, national origin, and other characteristics cannot be tolerated. Our amendment both denounces those acts and marshals additional resources toward addressing and stopping these horrible crimes,” Senator Collins said. “I thank Senator Hirono for her leadership on this amendment and urge my colleagues to support it. In doing so, we can affirm our commitment to stand with our Asian American and Pacific Islander community against all forms of violence and harassment.”

“Working closely together, Senator Collins and I identified changes that will broaden support for the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act while retaining the bill’s core purpose to combat anti-Asian hate. I am confident that with these changes, the Senate can pass this legislation with a strong, bipartisan majority and send a clear message of support and solidarity to the AAPI community. As the Senate continues debate on this measure, I urge my colleagues to reject any amendment that seeks to weaken our bipartisan proposal and join us in supporting this bill,” Senator Hirono said.

The substitute bill language is available here.

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