House expected to pass hate crimes bill focused on anti-Asian sentiments

The House is poised to pass a Senate bill that would direct the Justice Department to expedite the review of coronavirus-related hate crimes as cities experience an uptick in crimes targeting Asian Americans.

The Democratic-controlled House is expected to vote on the bill Tuesday, which will hit President Joe Biden‘s desk for signature upon passage. The bill, which Sen. Mazie Hirono and Rep. Grace Meng introduced on March 11, would also direct the attorney general and the Department of Health and Human Services to focus on eliminating potentially racially discriminatory language when discussing the pandemic.