The US Senate passed legislation on Thursday aimed at addressing the recent spike in hate crimes against Asian Americans across the US amid the ongoing pandemic.
The COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act would, among other initiatives, direct the Justice Department to more speedily review pandemic-related hate crimes and expand data collection resources for tracking such crimes.
The chamber approved the bill by a vote of 94-1, with Missouri Senator Josh Hawley voting in opposition to the proposal. The legislation will next head to the House for consideration.
