Hirono, Collins agree on bipartisan language for Covid-19 Hate Crimes Act

Senators Mazie Hirono and Susan Collins. FILE PHOTO

WASHINGTON, DC –Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) announced they have reached an agreement on language amending the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act to broaden bipartisan support while retaining the purpose of the bill.

The substitute bill language is available here.

“Working closely together, Senator Collins and I identified changes that will broaden support for the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act while retaining the bill’s core purpose to combat anti-Asian hate. As the Senate continues debate on this measure, I urge my colleagues to reject any amendment that seeks to weaken our bipartisan proposal and join us in supporting this bill,” Senator Hirono said.

“Crimes motivated by bias against race, national origin, and other characteristics cannot be tolerated. Our amendment both denounces those acts and marshals additional resources toward addressing and stopping these horrible crimes,” Senator Collins said. “I thank Senator Hirono for her leadership on this amendment and urge my colleagues to support it.