Democrats Call on Congress to Pass Legislation Addressing Hate Crimes Targeting Asians

Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) speaks at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in Washington on April 10, 2019. Alex Wroblewski/Getty Images

Democrats are calling on Congress to pass hate crime bill that aims to combat crimes that have targeted Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders since the pandemic began.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), and Reps. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.) and Andy Kim (D-N.J.) held a press conference on the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act on Tuesday.