SENATE ADVANCES BILL TO COMBAT ATTACKS AGAINST ASIAN AMERICANS

The U.S. Senate on Wednesday easily advanced a bill designed to combat hate crimes against Asian Americans in a bipartisan response to a wave of attacks since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. The Senate voted 92-6 to move forward on the legislation, which lawmakers of both parties say they want to expand and strengthen before likely approval as soon as today. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the bill would address “an awful rising tide” of attacks on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. He said he will offer a bipartisan amendment to the bill that would address hate crimes more broadly by providing more training for law enforcement and funding a hotline to report assaults. Other amendments could be considered, as well.