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Houses passes ‘symbolic’ anti-Asian racism resolution

A resolution condemning anti-Asian hate and discrimination passed the House floor Thursday despite opposition from most Republicans, The Hill reports. 

The resolution asks public officials to denounce any coronavirus-related anti-Asian racism  and requests federal law enforcement document the rise of hate crimes and hold perpetrators accountable.

H. Res. 908 was spearheaded by Rep. Grace Meng from New York in March. It does not require the president to sign it and essentially acts as a message of federal support. 

“It is something that is important, symbolic, and should be easy to stand up in defense of the Asian American community and to denounce violence,” Meng said, according to The Hill.

“The House needed to take a strong and public stand against this appalling intolerance, discrimination, and violence that has taken place all across the country during this public health crisis, and today it did just that,” Meng said, USA Today reports. 

The resolution passed by a 243-164 vote, according to USA Today, with all Democrats and 14 Republicans voting in favor. Prior to the vote, the divide over the resolution was largely partisan as House members discussed President Trump’s usage of terms like ‘Kung flu’ and ‘China virus.’ 

Republicans condemned the resolution by arguing that coming to a consensus on a coronavirus relief bill would be more helpful, The Hill reports. 

“This week Dems aren’t doing a thing to help Americans,” House Minority Whip Steve Scalise said in a tweet. “What are they doing instead? Wasting time on a useless resolution… These people aren’t serious.”

“This is not a waste of time,” Meng said in response, USA Today reports. “People’s lives are at stake.”

In a statement by Asian Americans Advancing Justice, President and Executive Director John C. Yang applauded the resolution and Congress for ‘speaking out’ and ‘doing their part.’ 

“For months Asian Americans have been suffering increased racist attacks,” Yang said. “We are on a dangerous  path where this behavior is becoming normalized and we must put a stop to it now.” 

“Overcoming this global pandemic is challenging enough without the  constant threat of unprovoked attacks on our community,” Yang continued. “We must all work together through this public health crisis and support the Asian American and other hard-hit communities by the Coronavirus.”

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