04.22.21

Hoeven Cosponsors Resolution Condemning Crimes Targeting Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders, Votes to Expedite Review & Improve Reporting of Hate Crimes

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today voted to support the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act in the Senate. This legislation calls for the Department of Justice (DOJ) to expedite the review of hate crimes committed during the COVID-19 pandemic and encourage more accurate reporting of hate crimes. Last week, Hoeven joined Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and others in introducing a Senate resolution condemning the increase in hate crimes targeting Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI). The resolution outlines data showing a dramatic rise in violence against the AAPI community following the COVID-19 pandemic. It also calls on the Senate Judiciary Committee to convene a hearing on violence against the AAPI community and applauds DOJ for conducting a review to identify how best to track and combat violence.

“Crimes and threats of violence are not acceptable in this country and we condemn this violence against the Asian American and Pacific Islander community,” said Hoeven. 

In addition to Hoeven and Grassley, the resolution was sponsored by John Cornyn (R-Texas), John Kennedy (R-La.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) Todd Young (R-Ind.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) and James Risch (R-Idaho). 

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