Covid-19 Hate Crimes Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. BEYER. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, which incorporates my bill with you, Madam Speaker--Ms. Chu, Representatives Upton and Buchanan--the Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act.

This is a bill my team started back in 2015 to respond to hate crimes in Northern Virginia, but it breaks my heart to hear about the abuse our African-American friends in this body--Democrat and Republican-- have experienced in the last few years. But we are very proud of our bipartisan, bicameral creation of a bill to address the underreporting of hate crimes.

I want to thank the families of Khalid Jabara and Heather Heyer for allowing us to use their names and highlight why we are here today.

I thank now-retired Representative Pete Olson and his team for being true partners on this bill, along with Representatives Upton and Buchanan.

I thank Senators Blumenthal and Moran for leading the fight in the Senate and getting this packaged bill to the House.

Most importantly, I thank Judy Chu, Grace Meng, and Raja Krishnamoorthi. Without their voices, and without the leadership of Chairman Nadler, we would not be here today addressing anti-Asian hate, and we would not be moving this legislation forward today.

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