WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) released the following statement after voting to pass theCOVID-19 Hate Crimes Act in the Senate. The legislation, originally introduced by Senators Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), improves the Justice Department’s response to the rise in hate incidents targeting the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community and provides state and local law enforcement with additional guidance and tools to track and address hate crimes and hate incidents.

“With the passage of the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, we are sending a loud and clear message – we must reject all forms of anti-Asian discrimination and hate,” said Senator Padilla. “California is home to nearly a third of all Asian Americans and our strength lies in our diversity. I’ll continue working to ensure that everyone—regardless of their background—is treated with the dignity and respect that they deserve.”

Last month, Senator Padilla joined Senators Mazie K. Hirono and Tammy Duckworth along with 34 of their Senate colleagues, in introducing a resolution to condemn all forms of anti-Asian sentiment, racism, and discrimination, and call on federal officials, in collaboration with state and local agencies and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community organizations, to address the rise in COVID-19-related hate crimes.

###