WASHINGTON - The Senate passed the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act Thursday, a bill that aims to end violence specifically targeted at Asian communities in the United States.S.
937 achieved near-unanimous bipartisan support, passing 94-1. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., was the only no vote.Though timely, the COVID-19 Hate Crime Act is also a relatively modest measure that supporters see as an initial step in a federal response to the rise in hate crimes targeting Asian communities.RELATED: Senate votes to open debate on COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act amid rise in anti-Asian violence in USIt would assign a point person within the Justice Department to expedite the review of COVID-19-related hate crimes and provide support for local law enforcement to respond.