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Congressman David Scott (GA-13), chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, today issued the below statement on House passage of the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, legislation he co-sponsored to combat racism, xenophobia and bigotry against Asian Americans:

“While navigating the COVID-19 crisis, Asian American and Pacific Islander families, workers, and businesses have suffered firsthand the effect of a recent rise in anti-Asian xenophobia and bigotry throughout the pandemic, culminating in March when a senseless act of terror claimed eight lives and shook metro Atlanta to its core,” said Congressman David Scott. “This epidemic demands a robust response to combat the troubling crisis of anti-AAPI discrimination and violence in America, and ensure that our communities in Georgia’s 13th Congressional District and across the nation are safe for all.”

The COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act will:

• Speed up and strengthen our response to hate crimes by requiring a designated officer or employee of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to facilitate the expedited review of hate crimes and reports of hate crimes.

• Support state and local governments’ response with DOJ guidance on establishing online hate crime reporting processes, collecting data and expanding education campaigns, and with grants to create reporting hotlines and conduct initiatives to prevent and respond to hate crimes.

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