Sen. Chuck Schumer dares Republicans to oppose Covid Hate Crimes Act
Published Date: 4/19/2021
Source: CNBC Television
Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer introduced the Covid Hate Crimes Act, which would instruct people at the Department of Justice to track down and prosecute anti-Asian hate. NYPD is also taking new steps to address hate crimes. Shepard Smith reports. For access to live and exclusive video from CNBC subscribe to CNBC PRO: https://cnb.cx/2NGeIvi The Senate will vote Wednesday on legislation to address a rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Monday. The bill, put forward by Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, and Rep. Grace Meng, D-N.Y., would instruct the Justice Department to speed up the review of Covid-19 related hate crimes. It also aims to give local law enforcement more support to respond to violence against Asian Americans and curb the use of discriminatory language on the rise since the pandemic started last year. The Senate plans to consider two bipartisan amendments to the bill before a final vote Wednesday, Schumer said. Last week, the chamber voted to start debate on the proposal by a 92-6 margin. “We will vote on the bill on Wednesday. And I dare any senator to vote against this legislation,” the Democrat Schumer said at a rally in his home state of New York. “If they do, shame on them, shame on them. Because this is what America is all about. We will pass this legislation, and the bill will address the rise in hate crime.” CNBC Politics Read more of CNBC’s politics coverage: Climate change is a major factor behind increased migration at U.S. southern border, experts say Israeli general who helped destroy Iraq, Syria nuclear plants says stopping Iran is much harder Russia will face consequences if Putin critic Alexei Navalny dies in prison, White House warns Meng, speaking at the rally with Schumer, said the bill would make it easier for the federal government to track hate incidents “so we can have a more accurate and fuller picture of what’s happening.” She said “we are finally taking action in Congress” after more than a year of discrimination that has made many Asian Americans wary of leaving their homes or using public transit. The White House has supported the hate crimes bill. In a statement last week, the Office of Management and Budget said the legislation “will stand up for America’s values by standing strongly against anti-Asian xenophobia and hate.” Anti-Asian hate crimes rose by nearly 150% last year in 16 of the largest U.S. cities, according to a study released last month by the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino. The spike in violence followed a surge in racist rhetoric about China after Covid-19 spread to the U.S. — including from former President Donald Trump and his allies in Congress. Last month, shootings at Atlanta-area spas left eight people dead, including six women of Asian descent. If the Senate passes the hate crimes bill, the Democratic-held House is expected to follow suit and send it to Biden’s desk. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has endorsed the legislation. » Subscribe to CNBC TV: https://cnb.cx/SubscribeCNBCtelevision » Subscribe to CNBC: https://cnb.cx/SubscribeCNBC » Subscribe to CNBC Classic: https://cnb.cx/SubscribeCNBCclassic Turn to CNBC TV for the latest stock market news and analysis. From market futures to live price updates CNBC is the leader in business news worldwide. The News with Shepard Smith is CNBC’s daily news podcast providing deep, non-partisan coverage and perspective on the day’s most important stories. Available to listen by 8:30pm ET / 5:30pm PT daily beginning September 30: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/29/the-news-with-shepard-smith-podcast.html?__source=youtube%7Cshepsmith%7Cpodcast Connect with CNBC News Online Get the latest news: http://www.cnbc.com/ Follow CNBC on LinkedIn: https://cnb.cx/LinkedInCNBC Follow CNBC News on Facebook: https://cnb.cx/LikeCNBC Follow CNBC News on Twitter: https://cnb.cx/FollowCNBC Follow CNBC News on Instagram: https://cnb.cx/InstagramCNBC https://www.cnbc.com/select/best-credit-cards/ #CNBC #CNBCTV