“During AAPI Heritage Month, we celebrate the diverse fabric of the AAPI community and their invaluable contributions to America. From helping build this nation to influencing its culture, the AAPI community is an essential thread in the fabric of the United States. Over the last decade, the community has seen so many successes, growing representation in Congress from less than half a dozen to over twenty members, including two AAPI women in the Senate. 

“We cannot turn away from the increased physical, verbal and online attacks AAPI people have suffered over the course of the last year, spurred by hateful and xenophobic rhetoric that falsely blames them for the COVID-19 pandemic. Hate has no place in this country, and combating hatred against the AAPI community can and should be bipartisan. We applaud Congress for taking action, under the leadership of Senator Hirono and Congresswoman Grace Meng, and passing the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, legislation that will help improve the federal government’s response to race-based violence against AAPI Americans.

“As Democrats, we know our nation’s diversity is our greatest strength. We must identify and root out systemic racism and xenophobia and give effective resources to law enforcement agencies to combat the growing number of attacks targeting the AAPI community. We must work with communities across the country to improve reporting of race-based violence and encourage prosecutors to hold perpetrators accountable to the fullest extent of the law. We will continue to stand in solidarity with AAPI communities across the country to end this senseless hate.”