Senate to start debate over Asian American hate crime bill

WASHINGTON — The Senate is poised to start debate on legislation confronting the rise of potential hate crimes against Asian Americans, a growing problem during the coronavirus crisis that will also test whether the chamber can push past partisanship on an issue important to many constituents.

Typically, the Democratic-sponsored Covid-19 Hate Crimes Act might quickly face a filibuster, opposed by Republicans who prefer a different approach.

But under the Senate leaders’ agreement struck at the start of the year, Republicans and Democrats pledged to try to at least try to debate bills to see if they could reach agreement through the legislative process.

“For more than a year, the Asian American community has been fighting two crises — the Covid-19 pandemic and the anti-Asian hate,” Rep.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said as the “proud husband of an Asian American woman, I think this discrimination against Asian Americans is a real problem.”.

McConnell is married to Elaine Chao, the former transportation secretary, and he said Tuesday he was hoping to work out an agreement with Democrats to at least debate the bill and consider potential amendments.

“I don’t believe we should be allowing these types of hate crimes out there, whether it’s women or Asian Americans, so we’re going to take a look at the text,” said Sen.

Though timely, the legislation is also modest, what supporters see as a first step in a federal response to the rise of Asian American hate crimes.

She said she is no longer comfortable taking a walk with her headphones listening to audio books because of the attacks on Asian American and Pacific Islanders in the U.S