Anti-Asian hate crimes bill passes US Congress

The new law requires the US Department of Justice to focus on prosecuting hate crimes against Asians after a surge in attacks.

The United States House of Representatives has approved legislation to combat the rise of hate crimes against Asians during the coronavirus pandemic, sending the bill to President Joe Biden on Tuesday for his signature. The measure, previously passed in the Senate, was approved by an overwhelming majority in the House, 364-62. The new law directs the US Justice Department to focus on the prosecution of violent crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. In the past year, the US police have seen a surge in racially motivated crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders including a shooting in March in Georgia that killed six women of Asian descent.